How to Become a Welder in Manitoba
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Welder 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
“Some trades in Manitoba require you to be certified; these are known as compulsory certification trades. Other trades are voluntary.”
From gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier...., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Licensed in another province: 7 steps (1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total)
- Trained outside Canada: 7 steps (1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total)
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
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
-
Apprenticeship Manitoba sends you the Apprenticeship Agreement by email, and you and your employer both 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... -
You submit your education records, documentation of related work or educational experience, 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).”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... -
You complete the on-the-job hours, technical training hours and exams required for your trade under the Apprenticeship and Certification Act.
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... -
After completing all levels and apprenticeship requirements, you must pass the certification exam, and for welder also a practical exam, 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. Some trades also include a practical exam that you must also pass).”
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
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 7 done
- 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
- 6 steps without a listed fee
-
You review the trades qualification requirements for your trade on the trade profile page to confirm you are eligible to write the qualification exam.
Source
“To be approved to take the certification exam for your trade, you must meet certain requirements. 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-... -
You complete and follow the instructions on the Trades Qualification Application form.
Source
“Trades Qualification Application Form - Complete and follow instructions.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... -
You submit as many employer or statutory declaration forms as needed to meet the trade's requirements for approval.
Source
“Submit as many declaration forms as needed in order to meet the trade’s requirements for approval. Employer declarations are filled and signed by your direct supervisor (current and past). Statutory declarations are geared towards self employed candidates”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... -
You provide copies of all trade-related certificates and credentials.
Source
“Proof of Education and Training - Provide copies of all trade-related certificates and credentials.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... -
You include a non-refundable $200 payment made payable to Apprenticeship Manitoba to assess your application.
- Application fee: $200 (non-refundable, to assess your application)
Source
“Application fee - Include a $200 payment (non-refundable). - Make cheque payable to: Apprenticeship Manitoba.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...
Source
“Application fee - Include a $200 payment (non-refundable). - Make cheque payable to: Apprenticeship Manitoba. - This fee is to assess your application and does not guarantee that you will be approved.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... - Application fee: $200 (non-refundable, to assess your application)
-
After all documents are received, 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-... -
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.
6 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 7 done
- 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
- 6 steps without a listed fee
-
You review the trades qualification requirements for your trade on the trade profile page to confirm you are eligible to write the qualification exam.
Source
“To be approved to take the certification exam for your trade, you must meet certain requirements. 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-... -
You complete and follow the instructions on the Trades Qualification Application form.
Source
“Trades Qualification Application Form - Complete and follow instructions.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... -
You submit as many employer or statutory declaration forms as needed to meet the trade's requirements for approval.
Source
“Submit as many declaration forms as needed in order to meet the trade’s requirements for approval. Employer declarations are filled and signed by your direct supervisor (current and past). Statutory declarations are geared towards self employed candidates”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... -
You provide copies of all trade-related certificates and credentials.
Source
“Proof of Education and Training - Provide copies of all trade-related certificates and credentials.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... -
You include a non-refundable $200 payment made payable to Apprenticeship Manitoba to assess your application.
- Application fee: $200 (non-refundable, to assess your application)
Source
“Application fee - Include a $200 payment (non-refundable). - Make cheque payable to: Apprenticeship Manitoba.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...
Source
“Application fee - Include a $200 payment (non-refundable). - Make cheque payable to: Apprenticeship Manitoba. - This fee is to assess your application and does not guarantee that you will be approved.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... - Application fee: $200 (non-refundable, to assess your application)
-
After all documents are received, 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-... -
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.
6 steps 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.
- Level Placement Exam: $200
Source
“Level Placement Exam $200”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... - NSF Cheque Service Fee: $20
Source
“NSF Cheque Service Fee $20”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... - Technical Training: $425 (starting at)
Source
“Technical Training (click link for full fee breakdown) Starting at $425”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... - Book and materials fees: $800 (vary by program and technical training provider)
Source
“Book and materials fees vary by program and technical training provider and range from $800 to $1,500.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...
Requirements
Experience
To challenge the certification exam as a trade qualifier you must have 4.5 years of experience and 8,100 hours working in the trade.
Source
“Challenging the Exam - Trades Qualification: 4.5 Years of Experience 8,100 Hours Required”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/welder.htmlYour application will be reviewed to ensure you have experience in at least 70 per cent of the scope of the trade.
Source
“experience (skills) in at least 70 per cent scope of the trade”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...
Residency
You must reside in Manitoba when you apply, whether as an apprentice or as a trade qualifier challenging the certification exam.
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
Other
If part of your work experience was as a registered apprentice, those hours count as training hours and do not qualify toward trade qualification experience.
Source
“If part of your work experience was as a registered apprentice, these hours are considered training hours and will not qualify for experience towards trade qualification.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-...
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
Welder is a voluntary trade in Manitoba, so the CFTA certification process does not apply because you can work in the trade without certification. Source
“If your trade is categorized as voluntary, the CFTA certification process does not apply because you can work in Manitoba without mandatory credentials. You are legally allowed to work in the trade without certification.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/labour-mobility.html
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
Exams
-
practical examination
Source
“In addition to a Red Seal endorsed certification-theory examination, a practical examination is required for this trade.”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/welder.html -
Level Placement Exam
Source
“Level Placement Exam $200”
gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship Manitoba
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
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba | $21.00 | $27.00 | $40.16 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $22.00 | $30.00 | $47.00 | — |
Welders in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan 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
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/trade-qualifier.... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/discover-apprentice... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/apprenticeship-program/apply-for-your-appr... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/experienced-tradespersons/apply-to-become-... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/trade-profiles/welder.html · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/newcomers.html · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprenticeship Manitoba | Province of Manitoba gov.mb.ca/apprenticeship/explore-trades/labour-mobility.html · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a welder 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 examination, Level Placement Exam.
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