How to Become a Machinist in Nova Scotia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Machinist is a voluntary trade in Nova Scotia. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
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- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Machinist Manufactures and repairs industrial components and mechanical devices by using a variety of metal cutting and shaping machinery. Is there a training pathway for this trade?: Yes”
From nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/trades, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 7 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- 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 7 done
- 7 steps without a listed fee
-
You must be employed in the trade and supervised in the workplace by a certified journeyperson.
Source
“To register, you must be supervised in the workplace by a certified journeyperson.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice -
Complete, sign and submit an application package with proof of previous trades training and proof of previous work experience 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 -
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 employer and apprentice sign the agreement form, which is then signed by an Agency Director or Designate and copies are sent to the apprentice and employer.
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 the apprentice and employer, and a logbook and Nova Scotia Apprentice ID Card to the apprentice.
Source
“The Agency will forward a signed copy of the agreement to the apprentice and employer; and - The Agency will forward a logbook and a Nova Scotia Apprentice ID Card to the apprentice.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice -
Complete the required apprenticeship hours, technical training levels and competency requirements of the apprenticeship program.
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 -
Successfully pass the certification exam for the trade to receive the Certificate of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“successfully passing the certification exam for that trade. The Certificate of Apprenticeship is usually issued at the same time as the Certificate of Qualification.”
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
7 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
-
Accumulate the total hours required to challenge the exam as a trade qualifier.
Source
“Total Hours Required to Challenge Exam as a Trade Qualifier: 10,800”
nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/trades -
Challenge the certification exam for the machinist trade.
Source
“Total Hours Required to Challenge Exam as a Trade Qualifier: 10,800”
nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/trades
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group. Source
“Machinist Manufactures and repairs industrial components and mechanical devices by using a variety of metal cutting and shaping machinery. Is there a training pathway for this trade?: Yes”
nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/trades
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 must have 10,800 hours in the trade.
Source
“Total Hours Required to Challenge Exam as a Trade Qualifier: 10,800”
nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/trades
Other
To register as an apprentice you must be supervised in the workplace by a certified journeyperson.
Source
“To register, you must be supervised in the workplace by a certified journeyperson.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages state apprentice mobility for out-of-province apprentices working temporarily in Nova Scotia, but do not state how a machinist certified in another province registers for trade certification. 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
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Exemptions: The pages do not state any language test exemptions. Source
“Machinist Manufactures and repairs industrial components and mechanical devices by using a variety of metal cutting and shaping machinery.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/trades
Canadian experience
The pages do not state any Canadian experience requirement. Source
“Machinist Manufactures and repairs industrial components and mechanical devices by using a variety of metal cutting and shaping machinery.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/trades
Supervised practice
Required
An apprentice must be supervised in the workplace by a certified journeyperson. Source
“To register, you must be supervised in the workplace by a certified journeyperson.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | $21.00 | $31.00 | $47.12 | Good (4 of 5) |
| Canada | $21.00 | $30.00 | $41.50 | — |
Machinists 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
- 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
- Apprentice Mobility | Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/labour-mobility/apprentice-mobility · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
1
Do you need a licence to work as a machinist 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.
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