How to Become a Marine Pilot in Canada (federal)
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with Transport Canada to work as a marine pilot in Canada or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“In Canada, once a ship enters a compulsory pilotage area, the ship must have a licenced pilot or pilotage certificate holder conduct it through the area.”
From tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification..., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 2 steps
- Licensed in another province: no separate route
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
You earn a pilotage licence by completing an apprenticeship with a pilotage authority.
Source
“You can earn a pilotage licence through an apprenticeship with a pilotage authority.”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification... -
Once you complete your apprenticeship, the pilotage authority submits your application for a pilotage licence to Transport Canada for review and issuance.
Source
“Once you complete your apprenticeship, the pilotage authority will submit your application for a pilotage licence to Transport Canada for review and issuance.”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Transport Canada
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
No separate route for this group. Source
“Experienced seafarers can apply for a marine pilotage licence or pilotage certificate by contacting your local pilotage authority:”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group. Source
“Experienced seafarers can apply for a marine pilotage licence or pilotage certificate by contacting your local pilotage authority:”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...
Requirements
Experience
Applicants for a marine pilotage licence or pilotage certificate are experienced seafarers.
Source
“Experienced seafarers can apply for a marine pilotage licence or pilotage certificate by contacting your local pilotage authority:”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...
Other
Applicants or holders of a pilotage document must meet the medical requirements provided in the General Pilotage Regulations Part 1.
Source
“The medical requirements for an applicant or holder of a pilotage document are provided in the *General Pilotage Regulations *Part 1.”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages do not state how someone already licensed in another Canadian province or territory registers as a marine pilot. Source
“Experienced seafarers can apply for a marine pilotage licence or pilotage certificate by contacting your local pilotage authority:”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Exams
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $24.33 | $41.36 | $72.12 | — |
Marine pilots in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Get a marine pilotage licence or pilotage certificate tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification... · fetched October 8, 2026
Frequently asked questions
1
Do you need a licence to work as a marine pilot in Canada?
Yes. A licence or certificate from Transport Canada is required to work in Canada.
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