How to Become a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic in Alberta
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic is a compulsory trade in Alberta. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Under Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf], you must have a certificate that is recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training or be a registered apprentice to install, maintain, repair or overhaul industrial, commercial and residential refrigeration or air conditioning systems or their component parts in Alberta.”
From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/refrigeration-and..., checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Licensed in another province: 1 step
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- 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
-
Apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train apprentices.
Source
“Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/refrigeration-and... -
You can register as an apprentice before meeting the entrance requirements, but must meet them before enrolling in first period classroom instruction.
Source
“You can register as an apprentice before you meet the entrance requirements. - You must meet them before you enroll in your first period [classroom instruction]”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... -
Before enrolling in classes, you must meet entrance requirements such as specific 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... -
Complete the 4-period apprenticeship program, which includes on-the-job training hours, classroom instruction, and a theory exam in each period.
Source
“The term of apprenticeship in Alberta is 4 years (12-month periods) that include 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction in each year.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/refrigeration-and...
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
-
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/014
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.
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group. Source
“If you have experience in the trade but do not hold an Alberta Journeyperson Certificate, you may be eligible for the Trades Qualifier Program.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/014
Requirements
Education
Entrance requirements include specific high school courses that you must have passed, or you can qualify through 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 holding a related trade certificate may be eligible for credit toward the work experience requirements.
Source
“Applicants holding a related trade certificate may be eligible for credit toward these requirements (see Related Trade Certificates for the Apprenticeship Education Program above).”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/014
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
Tradespeople from other provinces can work in Alberta if they hold a recognized certificate, but under the Recognized Credentials Program they must submit their certificate and pass a theory exam. Source
“1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta. 2. Pass a theory exam.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/014
Submit recognized trade certificate
Source
“Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/014
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
-
Theory exam
Source
“Theory exam required to complete each period”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/014 -
Red Seal exam
-
Entrance exam
Source
“If you don’t meet the high school entrance requirements, you’ll need to pass an entrance exam before registering in apprenticeship classroom instruction.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/typ...
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 | $25.00 | $40.00 | $54.00 | Good (4 of 5) |
| Canada | $22.00 | $37.50 | $56.00 | — |
Refrigerations and air conditioning mechanics in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Certification required
- Saskatchewan Certification required
- Manitoba Certification required
- Ontario Certification required
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Certification required
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Compare refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/refrigeration-and... · fetched October 8, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/014 · fetched October 10, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Meet Requirements tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... · fetched October 9, 2026
- 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 refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic 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, Red Seal exam, Entrance 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 CallFree consultation. No commitment.