How to Become a Metal Fabricator (fitter) in Alberta
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Metal fabricator (fitter) is a voluntary trade in Alberta. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
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- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Under Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf], you do not have to be certified if you are self-employed or work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.”
From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/metal-fabricator-..., checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps, listed one-time fees $350
- Trained outside Canada: 2 steps, listed one-time fees $350
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
-
Before applying, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements to register as an apprentice.
Source
“Before you apply to become a registered apprentice, make sure you are eligible.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... -
Find an employer who is willing to hire and train you as an apprentice.
Source
“Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/metal-fabricator-... -
You can register as an apprentice before meeting the entrance requirements, but must meet them before enrolling in classroom instruction.
Source
“You can register as an apprentice before you meet the entrance requirements.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... -
Before enrolling in your first period of classroom instruction, meet the entrance requirements, such as passing specific high school courses or an entrance exam.
Source
“Before you enroll in classes as a registered apprentice, you'll need to meet the entrance requirements.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... -
Complete the three-year apprenticeship, which includes on-the-job training hours and weeks of classroom instruction each year.
Source
“The term of apprenticeship in Alberta is 3 years (three 12-month periods) that include a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction in each year.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/metal-fabricator-...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- Listed one-time fees: $350
- 1 step without a listed fee
-
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/026 -
Pass the practical exam, which costs $350.00.
- Practical Exam Fee: $350
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $350
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | $350 | 100% |
| One-time total | $350 | 100% |
1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 2 done
- Listed one-time fees: $350
- 1 step without a listed fee
-
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/026 -
Pass the practical exam, which costs $350.00.
- Practical Exam Fee: $350
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $350
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | $350 | 100% |
| One-time total | $350 | 100% |
1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Metal Fabricator (Fitter): Practical Exam Fee: $350
Source
“| Metal Fabricator (Fitter) | $350.00 |”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/...
Requirements
Education
Before enrolling in classroom instruction, apprentices must meet entrance requirements, which include having passed specific high school courses or an approved alternative such as an entrance exam, 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
Apprentices must complete a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training in each of the three 12-month periods of the apprenticeship.
Source
“The term of apprenticeship in Alberta is 3 years (three 12-month periods) that include a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction in each year.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/metal-fabricator-...Applicants to the Trades Qualifier Work Experience Program must complete 54 months and 7,020 hours of verifiable Metal Fabricator (Fitter) work experience.
Source
“1. Complete 54 months and 7020 hours of verifiable Metal Fabricator (Fitter) work experience.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/026
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
Applicants from another Canadian province or territory must submit a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta and then pass both a theory exam and a practical exam to become certified. Source
“1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta. 2. Pass a theory exam. 3. Pass a practical exam ($350.00).”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/026
Submit recognized certificate
Source
“Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/026Pass the practical exam
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Exams
-
practical exam
-
entrance exam
Source
“Take an entrance exam to show you’re ready.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
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
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $22.00 | $33.00 | $44.00 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $21.00 | $29.00 | $43.30 | — |
Metal fabricators (fitter) in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- Quebec Voluntary certification
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Metal Fabricator (Fitter): Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/metal-fabricator-... · fetched October 8, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Meet Requirements tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... · fetched October 9, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Metal Fabricator (Fitter) tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/026 · fetched October 10, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Trades with Practical Exams and Fees tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs/... · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a metal fabricator (fitter) 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?
practical exam, entrance exam.
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