How to Become a Cook in Newfoundland and Labrador
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Cook is a voluntary trade in Newfoundland and Labrador. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“DESIGNATED TRADE Red Seal Trade Provincial Trade Training and Certification Certification Only (no training available) ... Cook X X”
From gov.nl.ca/atcd/designated-trades/list-of-designated-trades, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 7 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
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
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Register as an apprentice with the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division.
Source
“Register as an Apprentice with the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers/... -
Talk to an Apprenticeship Program Officer to begin the process.
Source
“Talk to an Apprenticeship Program Officer to begin.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers/... -
You will be connected with a Program Development Specialist who will guide you through the RPL process.
Source
“You will then be connected with a Program Development Specialist who will guide you through the RPL process.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers/... -
You must pass the certification exam to become a journeyperson, no matter how much RPL credit you receive.
Source
“You will still need to pass the certification exam to become a journeyperson, no matter how much credit you receive.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers/...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
Complete an application form if you hold a Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian province or territory.
Source
“If you have a Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian province or territory, complete an application form.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons/cq -
The Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division will verify your information and provide an equivalency letter if you need one.
Source
“The Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division will verify your information and provide an equivalency letter if you require one for your employer or a regulatory body.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons/cq
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 7 done
- 7 steps without a listed fee
-
Follow the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division's Trade Qualifier Process to have your skills formally recognized.
Source
“If you are an internationally trained worker in a skilled trade, you will need to follow the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division's Trade Qualifier Process to have your skills formally recognized.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/international-for... -
Complete the Trade Qualifier Application to be Examined form.
Source
“Complete the Trade Qualifier Application to be Examined form”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers -
Complete the Record of Work Experience form.
Source
“Complete the Record of Work Experience form.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers -
If your employer or the journeyperson is not available to verify your hours or skills, reach out to an Apprenticeship Program Officer for help.
Source
“If your employer or the journeyperson is not available to verify your hours or skills, reach out to an Apprenticeship Program Officer for help.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers -
Submit your application and required documents.
Source
“Submit your application and required documents.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers -
For Cook, you need to pass a practical exam before you can attempt the written certification exam.
Source
“However, for some trades (Cook, Welder, Hairstylist and Machinist), you will need to pass a practical exam before you can attempt the written one.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers -
Once your application is approved, you will be contacted to schedule your certification exam, and passing it earns you a Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“If your application is approved, you will be contacted to schedule your certification exam.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
7 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Experience
You need at least one and a half times the on-the-job work experience of an apprenticeship term in your trade.
Source
“At least one and a half (1.5) times the on-the-job work experience of an apprenticeship term in your trade.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers
Other
You need documentation of your work skills verified by a certified journeyperson in your trade.
Source
“Verified documentation of your work skills, verified by a certified journeyperson in your trade.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiersYou need documented verification of time and hours worked.
Source
“Documented verification of time and hours worked.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
If you have a Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian province or territory, you complete an application form and the Division verifies your information and can provide an equivalency letter, with no mention of retaking an exam or assessment. Source
“If you have a Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian province or territory, complete an application form. The Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division will verify your information and provide an equivalency letter if you require one for your employer or a regulatory body.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons/cq
Complete an application form
Source
“If you have a Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian province or territory, complete an application form.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons/cqDivision verifies and issues letter
Source
“The Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division will verify your information and provide an equivalency letter if you require one for your employer or a regulatory body.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons/cq
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
Exams
-
certification exam
Source
“A trade qualifier is someone who meets the requirements to write the certification exam for a specific trade.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers -
practical exam
Source
“However, for some trades (Cook, Welder, Hairstylist and Machinist), you will need to pass a practical exam before you can attempt the written one.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers -
Red Seal exam
Source
“If you have a provincial Certificate of Qualification in a Red Seal trade from another Canadian province or territory, and you wish to write the Red Seal exam, you will need to contact the apprenticeship authority that issued your certificate to request that they ask Newfoundland and Labrador to invigilate your Red Seal exam.”
gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons/cq
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $17.00 | $27.54 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $15.00 | $18.00 | $25.00 | — |
Wages by region and job outlook in Newfoundland and Labrador
Cooks in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- Quebec Voluntary certification
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- List of Designated Trades - Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division gov.nl.ca/atcd/designated-trades/list-of-designated-trades · fetched October 9, 2026
- Recognition of Prior Learning - Frequently Asked Questions - Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers/... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Certificate of Qualification - Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons/cq · fetched October 10, 2026
- International Skilled Workers - Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/international-for... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Trade Qualifiers - Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division gov.nl.ca/atcd/journeypersons-and-skilled-workers/trade-qualifiers · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a cook in Newfoundland and Labrador?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in Newfoundland and Labrador. Certification is managed by the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division.
Which exams are required?
certification exam, practical exam, Red Seal exam.
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