Licensing guide · Manitoba

How to Become a Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator in Manitoba

Last checked 6 sources checkedNOC 72500

Do you need certification?

Certification required

Crane and hoisting equipment operator is a compulsory trade in Manitoba. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.

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“If a trade is designated as compulsory certification, it means you must be registered as an apprentice or be a certified journeyperson to work in that trade.”

From gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier...., checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Certification required 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

  • 1 fee depends on your situation and is 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. Submit your education records, any related work or educational experience documents, and the signed Apprenticeship Agreement to Apprenticeship Manitoba.

    Source
    “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). NOTE: If you do not have Grade 12 or equivalent education, state this in your application. - documentation for any work or educational experience related to your trade - the completed Apprenticeship Agreement (must be signed by both you and your employer)”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...

  3. Complete the on-the-job hours, technical training hours and exams required for your trade, and pay the personal contribution fees toward tuition.

    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. - pay the personal contribution fees towards tuition and other applicable fees”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...

  4. After completing all levels and apprenticeship requirements, pass the certification exam with at least 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

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

Licensed in another province

  • 1 step without a listed fee

  1. If you hold certification from elsewhere in Canada in a trade that is compulsory in Manitoba, your certification will be recognized under labour mobility.

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

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 4 steps without a listed fee

  1. If you are not yet a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you must apply for a work permit so you can register your apprenticeship agreement.

    Source
    “Yes, but you must apply for a work permit. If you have a work permit you can register your apprenticeship agreement and become an apprentice.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/faqs.html

  2. With a work permit, you can register your apprenticeship agreement and become an apprentice, with your hours recorded.

    Source
    “If you have a work permit you can register your apprenticeship agreement and become an apprentice. As an apprentice, your hours are being recorded but you cannot attend technical training until you're a permanent resident.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/faqs.html

  3. Before you can register for technical training while on a work permit, you must provide the approved Authorization Letter from the Government of Canada to Apprenticeship Manitoba.

    Source
    “You are required to provide the approved Authorization Letter from the Government of Canada to Apprenticeship Manitoba before you will be able to register for technical training while on a work-permit.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/newcomers.html

  4. Once you have your Authorization Letter, contact your Apprenticeship Training Coordinator, who will help you register for technical training.

    Source
    “Once you have obtained your Authorization Letter, contact your Apprenticeship Training Coordinator and they will assist you with being able to register for technical training.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/newcomers.html

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba

4 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.

Education

  • When registering your Apprenticeship Agreement you must submit a copy of your education records, or state in your application if you do not have Grade 12 or equivalent education.

    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). NOTE: If you do not have Grade 12 or equivalent education, state this in your application.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...

Experience

Residency

  • You must reside in Manitoba when you apply, whether as an apprentice or as a trade qualifier.

    Source
    “Whether you plan to be an apprentice, or plan to challenge the certification exam as a trade qualifier, you must reside in Manitoba when you apply.”
    gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/newcomers.html

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

If you have received certification elsewhere in Canada for a trade that requires compulsory certification in Manitoba, your certification will be recognized.

Source
“If you have received certification elsewhere in Canada for a trade that requires compulsory certification in Manitoba, your certification will be recognized. Learn more about the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.”
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 72500, Crane operators. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Manitoba and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Manitoba — — — Limited (2 of 5)
Canada $26.50 $42.77 $52.19 —

Wages in every province and territory

Cranes and hoisting equipment operators in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 5 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

  • British Columbia Not confirmed yet
  • Alberta Certification required
  • Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
  • Ontario Not confirmed yet
  • Quebec Certification required
  • New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
  • Nova Scotia Certification required
  • Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Certification required
  • Yukon Not confirmed yet
  • Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
  • Nunavut Not confirmed yet

Compare crane and hoisting equipment operator licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier.... · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice... · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/newcomers.html · fetched October 10, 2026
  5. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/faqs.html · fetched October 10, 2026
  6. Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/crane-and-bo... · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a crane and hoisting equipment operator in Manitoba?

Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Manitoba. Certification is managed by Apprenticeship Manitoba.

Which exams are required?

Level Placement Exam, Red Seal exam.

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