How to Become a Welder in Alberta
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Welder 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
“Compulsory Certification”
From tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/012, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps, listed one-time fees $160
- Trained outside Canada: 2 steps, listed one-time fees $160
- 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 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
If you are new to the trade, register as an apprentice to begin learning and working toward your Journeyperson Certificate.
Source
“If you are new to the trade, register as an apprentice to begin learning and working toward your Journeyperson Certificate.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/about-designated-trades -
Complete three periods, each with 1560 hours of work experience and 8 weeks of classroom instruction, with a theory exam required in each period.
Source
“3 periods (levels) - All periods: - 1560 hours work experience per period - 8 weeks classroom instruction per period - Theory exam required”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/012 -
Apprentices in Red Seal Trades can write the Red Seal exam at their school after they pass their final period exam.
Source
“Apprentices in Red Seal Trades can write the Red Seal exam at their school after they pass their final period exam.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/typ...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
3 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: $160
- 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/012 -
Pass a practical exam that costs $160.00.
- Practical exam: $160
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $160
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | $160 | 100% |
| One-time total | $160 | 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: $160
- 1 step without a listed fee
-
Complete 54 months and 7020 hours of verifiable Welder work experience.
Source
“Complete 54 months and 7020 hours of verifiable Welder work experience.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/012 -
Pass a practical exam that costs $160.00.
- Practical exam: $160
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $160
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | $160 | 100% |
| One-time total | $160 | 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.
- 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
To enroll in classroom instruction you must meet entrance requirements, which include specific high school courses such as English 10-2 and Math 10-3, or a GED/CAEC, or an entrance exam.
Source
“Entrance requirements: - English 10-2 and Math 10-3 - or GED/CAEC - or Entrance Exam”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/012
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
Welders from other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by Alberta, and the Recognized Credentials Program requires them to submit their certificate and pass theory and practical exams. Source
“Welders 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/welder
Submit recognized trade certificate
Source
“Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/012Pass theory and practical exams
Source
“Pass a theory exam. 3. Pass a practical exam ($160.00).”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/012
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
-
Practical exam
-
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
“Trades Qualifier candidates generally need to pass the Red Seal exam to be certified, after meeting all other program requirements.”
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 | $38.00 | $52.18 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $22.00 | $30.00 | $47.00 | — |
Welders in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Certification required
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Tradesecrets - Welder tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/012 · fetched October 9, 2026
- Tradesecrets - About Designated Trades tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/about-designated-trades · fetched October 9, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Types of Exams tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/typ... · fetched October 9, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Entrance Exams tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/ent... · fetched October 9, 2026
- Welder: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/welder · fetched October 8, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a welder 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, Practical exam, Entrance exam, Red Seal exam.
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