Licensing guide · Alberta

How to Become a Concrete Finisher in Alberta

Last checked 5 sources checkedNOC 73100

Do you need certification?

Certification is voluntary

Concrete finisher is a voluntary trade in Alberta. You can work in the trade without a certificate.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Optional Certification”

From tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/048, checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Voluntary certification See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 4 steps without a listed fee

  1. Apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them.

    Source
    “Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprenticess.”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/concrete-finisher

  2. You can register as an apprentice before meeting the entrance requirements, as long as you meet the registration eligibility requirements.

    Source
    “You can register as an apprentice before you meet the entrance requirements.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit...

  3. Before enrolling in your first period of classroom instruction, you must meet the entrance requirements, which include specific high school courses or alternatives such as an entrance exam.

    Source
    “You must meet them before you enroll in your first period classroom instruction.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit...

  4. Complete the three-year apprenticeship with on-the-job training hours and classroom instruction to work toward the Journeyperson Certificate.

    Source
    “The term of apprenticeship in Alberta is 3 years (three 12-month periods) that include 1,200 hours of on-the-job training in each period and 4 weeks of classroom instruction in the first and second years.”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/concrete-finisher

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 1 step without a listed fee

  1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.

    Source
    “Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/048

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 1 step without a listed fee

  1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.

    Source
    “Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/048

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Applicants to the Trades Qualifier Work Experience Program must provide an Employer Declaration Letter.

    Source
    “Provide an Employer Declaration Letter (EDL).”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/048

  • Entrance requirements for apprentices include specific high school courses that must have been passed, or alternatives such as an entrance exam, a GED or CAEC certificate, a recognized training program, or a recognized trade certificate.

    Source
    “Entrance requirements include specific high school courses that you must have passed.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit...

Experience

  • Applicants to the Trades Qualifier Work Experience Program must complete 36 months and 5040 hours of verifiable Concrete Finisher work experience.

    Source
    “Complete 36 months and 5040 hours of verifiable Concrete Finisher work experience.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/048

Already licensed in another province?

Extra steps

Concrete finishers trained in other provinces can work in Alberta if they hold a recognized certificate or license, and the Recognized Credentials Program requires them to submit their certificate and pass a theory exam.

Source
“Concrete finishers trained in other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by Alberta or have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified in Alberta.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/concrete-finisher

  1. Submit recognized trade certificate

    Source
    “Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
    tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/048

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 73100, Concrete finishers. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Alberta and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Alberta $25.00 $32.00 $41.00 Moderate (3 of 5)
Canada $24.50 $34.00 $43.47 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Alberta

Wages in every province and territory

Concrete finishers in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 8 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare concrete finisher licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Tradesecrets - Concrete Finisher tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/048 · fetched October 9, 2026
  2. Tradesecrets - About Designated Trades tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/about-designated-trades · fetched October 9, 2026
  3. Concrete Finisher: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/concrete-finisher · fetched October 8, 2026
  4. Tradesecrets - Meet Requirements tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... · fetched October 9, 2026
  5. Tradesecrets - Types of Exams tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/typ... · fetched October 9, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a concrete finisher in Alberta?

No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in Alberta. Certification is managed by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Which exams are required?

entrance exam, Red Seal exam.

Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too

Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.

Schedule a Call

Free consultation. No commitment.