Licensing guide · Manitoba

How to Become an Automotive Refinishing Technician in Manitoba

Last checked 5 sources checkedNOC 72411

Do you need certification?

Certification is voluntary

Automotive refinishing technician is a voluntary trade in Manitoba. You can work in the trade without a certificate.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Automotive Refinishing Technicians sand, fill, prime, finish and paint motor vehicles.”

From gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/automotive-r..., checked October 11, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Voluntary certification See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total
  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. Apprenticeship Manitoba sends you the Apprenticeship Agreement by email, and you and your employer must sign it, either on paper or electronically.

    Source
    “Apprenticeship Manitoba sends an email to you with the Apprenticeship Agreement - you can print out the agreement and sign it, or electronically sign the agreement - your employer must also sign Part C of the agreement”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...

  2. You submit your education records, documentation of related work or educational experience, and the signed Apprenticeship Agreement to Apprenticeship Manitoba to register it.

    Source
    “Provide documentation and register your Apprenticeship Agreement with Apprenticeship Manitoba Follow instructions on your Apprenticeship Agreement to submit: - a copy of your education records (post-secondary transcript, or high school diploma, and/or Grade 12 transcripts, GED certificate/ Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC), or equivalent).”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...

  3. You complete the on-the-job hours, technical training hours and exams required for your trade according to the Act and your trade's regulation or by-law.

    Source
    “complete on-the-job hours, technical training hours and exams according to The Apprenticeship and Certification Act and for your specific trade regulation or by-law.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...

  4. After completing all levels and apprenticeship requirements, you must pass the certification exam with a minimum grade of 70 per cent to earn your Certificate of Qualification.

    Source
    “Once you’ve completed all levels and apprenticeship requirements for your program, you must pass the certification (final) exam. The minimum passing grade is 70 per cent.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice...

Listed fees for this route

2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total.

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. You review your trade's page in the explore trades section to find the requirements listed for trades qualification.

    Source
    “Visit your trade’s page at explore trades section of this website. Click on the trades qualification tab to find the requirements listed for your trade.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...
  2. Source
    “Complete and follow instructions. Trades Qualification Application”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

  3. Apprenticeship Manitoba verifies your declarations and documents and, if you meet the requirements, notifies you by email that you are approved to challenge the certification exam.

    Source
    “If you meet the requirements, you will be notified via email that you have been approved to challenge the certification exam and you are accepted as a trade qualifier.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

  4. Once approved, you study using the supports and sample exams and then take the certification exam, which must be written in Manitoba.

    Source
    “You will have time to study for your certification exam. Make sure to use the supports and sample exams to help you prepare for your exam.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

Listed fees for this route

1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. You review your trade's page in the explore trades section to find the requirements listed for trades qualification.

    Source
    “Visit your trade’s page at explore trades section of this website. Click on the trades qualification tab to find the requirements listed for your trade.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...
  2. Source
    “Complete and follow instructions. Trades Qualification Application”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

  3. Apprenticeship Manitoba verifies your declarations and documents and, if you meet the requirements, notifies you by email that you are approved to challenge the certification exam.

    Source
    “If you meet the requirements, you will be notified via email that you have been approved to challenge the certification exam and you are accepted as a trade qualifier.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

  4. Once approved, you study using the supports and sample exams and then take the certification exam, which must be written in Manitoba.

    Source
    “You will have time to study for your certification exam. Make sure to use the supports and sample exams to help you prepare for your exam.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

Listed fees for this route

1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

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.

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Experience

Residency

Other

  • Applicants must provide a letter from an employer or reference confirming their experience as proof they meet the experience requirements.

    Source
    “As part of your application, you must provide a letter from an employer or reference as a form of proof that you meet the experience requirements for your trade.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...

  • Apprentices must submit a copy of their education records, such as a post-secondary transcript, high school diploma, Grade 12 transcripts, GED or CAEC certificate, or equivalent.

    Source
    “a copy of your education records (post-secondary transcript, or high school diploma, and/or Grade 12 transcripts, GED certificate/ Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC), or equivalent).”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

If you have received certification elsewhere in Canada, your certification will be recognized in Manitoba.

Source
“If you have received certification elsewhere in Canada for a trade that requires compulsory certification in Manitoba, your certification will be recognized.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice...

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 72411, Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Manitoba and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Manitoba $17.00 $27.00 $41.03 Moderate (3 of 5)
Canada $18.50 $27.00 $40.00 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Manitoba

Wages in every province and territory

Automotive refinishing technicians in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 10 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare automotive refinishing technician licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 11, 2026.

  1. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/automotive-r... · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice... · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier.... · fetched October 10, 2026
  5. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as an automotive refinishing technician in Manitoba?

No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in Manitoba. Certification is managed by Apprenticeship Manitoba.

Which exams are required?

Practical Exam, Level Placement 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 Call

Free consultation. No commitment.