How to Become a Plumber in Alberta
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Plumber is a compulsory trade in Alberta. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
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- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Compulsory Certification”
From tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/006, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Licensed in another province: 1 step
- 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 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
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Before enrolling in classroom instruction, meet the entrance requirements, which can be satisfied by passing required high school courses, an entrance exam, a GED or CAEC certificate, a recognized training program, or a recognized trade certificate.
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... -
Source
“All periods: 1560 hours work experience per period 8 weeks classroom instruction per period Theory exam required”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/006 -
On completing all program requirements, receive the Alberta Journeyperson Certificates for Plumber and Gasfitter - Class B.
Source
“Plumber apprentices who successfully complete all of the requirements for the Plumber program will receive two Alberta Journeyperson Certificates: Plumber and Gasfitter – Class B.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/006 -
Optionally, write both the Plumber and the Gasfitter - Class B interprovincial exams to earn both Red Seal Endorsements.
Source
“Apprentices have to write both the Plumber and the Gasfitter – Class B interprovincial exams to earn both Red Seal Endorsements.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/006
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.
Licensed in another province
0 of 1 done
- 1 step without a listed fee
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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/006
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.
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.
- Entrance exam fee: $150
Source
“There is a $150 fee for writing an entrance exam.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/ent...
Requirements
Education
Apprentices must meet entrance requirements, which include specific high school courses that must have been passed, before enrolling in classroom instruction.
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 72 months and 9360 hours of verifiable Plumber work experience.
Source
“Complete 72 months and 9360 hours of verifiable Plumber work experience.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/006
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
Plumbers from other provinces can work in Alberta if they hold a recognized certificate, and under the Recognized Credentials Program they must submit that certificate and pass a theory exam. Source
“Plumbers from other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by Alberta.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/plumber
Submit recognized certificate
Source
“Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/006
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
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Theory exam
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Entrance exam
Source
“There is a $150 fee for writing an entrance exam.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/ent... -
Red Seal Exam
Source
“You may take the Red Seal Exam upon the completion of your apprenticeship in this trade.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/006
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 | $20.00 | $30.00 | $43.00 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $21.00 | $34.00 | $46.00 | — |
Plumbers in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Certification required
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Ontario Certification required
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Certification required
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Certification required
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Tradesecrets - Plumber tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/006 · fetched October 9, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Meet Requirements tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... · fetched October 9, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Entrance Exams tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/ent... · fetched October 9, 2026
- Plumber: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/plumber · fetched October 8, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a plumber in Alberta?
Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Alberta. Certification is managed by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Which exams are required?
Theory exam, Entrance exam, Red Seal Exam.
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