How to Become a Cook in Nova Scotia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Cook is a voluntary trade in Nova Scotia. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Certification Exam: Available”
From nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/trades, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 8 steps
- Licensed in another province: 1 step
- Trained outside Canada: 1 step
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 8 done
- 8 steps without a listed fee
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You need to be employed in the trade and supervised in the workplace by a certified journeyperson.
Source
“To become an apprentice (including Youth Apprentice, 16 to 19 years old) in the trade in which you are employed, you must be supervised in the workplace by a certified journeyperson.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice -
You and your employer complete, sign and submit an apprenticeship agreement application package to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.
Source
“Once a potential apprentice and an employer decide to enter into an apprenticeship agreement, an application package must be completed, signed and submitted to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice -
You submit proof of any previous trades training and previous work experience, such as certificates, transcripts and employer letters.
Source
“Proof of previous trades training (certificates/diplomas, transcripts)”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice -
After submitting the complete application package, you contact the Industry Training Consultant for your trade and region to arrange a meeting with the consultant, the employer and the apprentice.
Source
“After you've submitted the complete application package to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, please contact the Industry Training Consultant for your trade/region to arrange a meeting with the Consultant, the employer and the apprentice.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice -
The consultant reviews the program with you and the employer, confirms any credited hours, and has the employer and apprentice sign the agreement form, which is then signed by an Agency Director or Designate.
Source
“The Industry Training Consultant will then have the employer and apprentice sign the form, and will return the form to the Apprenticeship office for the Director/Designate's signature.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice -
The Agency sends a signed copy of the agreement to you and your employer, and sends you a logbook and a Nova Scotia Apprentice ID Card.
Source
“The Agency will forward a logbook and a Nova Scotia Apprentice ID Card to the apprentice.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice -
You work in the trade under journeyperson supervision and complete the required apprenticeship hours, skills and technical training for the trade.
Source
“These requirements usually include: working in the trade under the supervision of a journeyperson for a specified period of time as set out in the regulations for that trade; completing the skills, knowledge and competency requirements for the trade; successfully completing all of the the technical training requirements for that trade”
nsapprenticeship.ca/tradespersons/trade-certificates -
You successfully pass the certification exam for the trade to earn your Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“To obtain a CQ, an individual must successfully complete a formal assessment process, which is usually the certification exam for their designated trade.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/tradespersons/trade-certificates
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
8 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 1 done
- 1 step without a listed fee
-
If you already have experience in the trade, you may be able to challenge the trade qualifier exam and become certified.
Source
“If you already have experience – whether in Canada or internationally – you may be able to challenge the trade qualifier exam and become certified.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/discover-trades/cook
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 1 done
- 1 step without a listed fee
-
If you already have experience in the trade, whether gained in Canada or internationally, you may be able to challenge the trade qualifier exam and become certified.
Source
“If you already have experience – whether in Canada or internationally – you may be able to challenge the trade qualifier exam and become certified.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/discover-trades/cook
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
1 step 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.
- Apprenticeship ID card: $20
Source
“As a Youth Apprentice, you will only need to pay the cost of issuing your apprenticeship ID card, which is less than $20.00.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice
Requirements
Experience
To challenge the exam as a trade qualifier, you need 8,100 hours in the trade.
Source
“Total Hours Required to Challenge Exam as a Trade Qualifier: 8,100”
nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/tradesApprentices must complete 5,400 required apprenticeship hours in the trade.
Source
“Total Required Apprenticeship Hours: 5,400”
nsapprenticeship.ca/trades/trade/restoration-stone-mason
Other
To become an apprentice in the trade in which you are employed, you must be supervised in the workplace by a certified journeyperson.
Source
“To become an apprentice (including Youth Apprentice, 16 to 19 years old) in the trade in which you are employed, you must be supervised in the workplace by a certified journeyperson.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages describe apprentice mobility for out-of-province apprentices working temporarily in Nova Scotia, but do not state how someone already licensed as a cook in another province or territory registers in Nova Scotia. Source
“If you are an Out-of-province/territory apprentice planning to work TEMPORARILY in Nova Scotia: Make sure you carry your apprentice ID card. You do NOT have to register again in Nova Scotia.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/labour-mobility/apprentice-mobility
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Exams
-
Certification Exam
-
Trade qualifier exam
Source
“If you already have experience – whether in Canada or internationally – you may be able to challenge the trade qualifier exam and become certified.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/discover-trades/cook -
Red Seal Exam
Source
“Successful completion of the program is represented by the Red Seal Endorsement, which is a recognized standard across Canada and protected in the *Nova Scotia Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act* for exclusive use by completed apprentices and skilled tradespersons who have passed the Red Seal exam.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/tradespersons/trade-certificates
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $17.00 | $22.50 | Good (4 of 5) |
| Canada | $15.00 | $18.00 | $25.00 | — |
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
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Trades in Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/trades · fetched October 9, 2026
- Cook | Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/discover-trades/cook · fetched October 9, 2026
- Register as an Apprentice | Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice · fetched October 9, 2026
- TRADE CERTIFICATES | Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency nsapprenticeship.ca/tradespersons/trade-certificates · fetched October 9, 2026
- Trades in Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency nsapprenticeship.ca/trades/trade/restoration-stone-mason · fetched October 9, 2026
- Apprentice Mobility | Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/labour-mobility/apprentice-mobility · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a cook in Nova Scotia?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in Nova Scotia. Certification is managed by the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.
Which exams are required?
Certification Exam, Trade qualifier exam, Red Seal Exam.
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