How to Become a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic in Nova Scotia
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic is a compulsory trade in Nova Scotia. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic is a compulsory certified trade in Nova Scotia.”
From nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/trades, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps
- 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 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
-
If you are working in a compulsory certified trade, contact the nearest apprenticeship office and speak with an Industry Training Consultant about getting a temporary permit that lets you keep working while registration is processed.
Source
“If you are currently working in one of the compulsory certified trades, contact the apprenticeship office nearest you and ask to speak with an Industry Training Consultant about how to obtain a temporary permit. A temporary permit allows individuals to continue to work in the trade while the registration process takes place.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice -
You and your employer enter into an apprenticeship agreement with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency so you can become a registered apprentice.
Source
“Because you are working in a compulsory trade, you and your employer need to enter into an apprenticeship agreement with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency so that you can become a registered apprentice.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice -
Complete, sign and submit the application package, including proof of previous trades training and proof of previous work experience.
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 -
After submitting the complete application package, 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 -
Once the agreement is signed, the Agency sends a signed copy to the apprentice and employer and issues a logbook and a Nova Scotia Apprentice ID Card.
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
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
5 steps 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, 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/refrigeration-ac-me...
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 (Youth Apprentices only pay the cost of issuing their apprenticeship ID card)
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
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-apprenticeYou must be employed full- or part-time in one of Nova Scotia's designated trades to register as an apprentice.
Source
“If you are employed full- or part-time in one of Nova Scotia's designated trades, you can register as an apprentice.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/register-apprentice
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
If your Certificate of Qualification was issued in another Canadian jurisdiction and is in one of Nova Scotia's compulsory certified trades, you must apply for an Equivalency Card via AMS. Source
“If your CQ was issued in another Canadian jurisdiction AND is in one of Nova Scotia's compulsory certified trades, including Blaster, you must apply for an Equivalency Card via AMS.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/tradespersons/trade-certificates
Apply for an Equivalency Card
Source
“If your CQ was issued in another Canadian jurisdiction AND is in one of Nova Scotia's compulsory certified trades, including Blaster, you must apply for an Equivalency Card via AMS.”
nsapprenticeship.ca/tradespersons/trade-certificates
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
-
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/refrigeration-ac-me... -
certification exam
Source
“successfully passing the certification exam for that trade”
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 | $20.70 | $30.84 | $53.85 | Good (4 of 5) |
| Canada | $22.00 | $37.50 | $56.00 | — |
Refrigerations and air conditioning mechanics in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Certification required
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Certification required
- Manitoba Certification required
- Ontario Certification required
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Compare refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic licensing across Canada
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
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic | Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency nsapprenticeship.ca/get-started/discover-trades/refrigeration-ac-me... · fetched October 9, 2026
- TRADE CERTIFICATES | Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency nsapprenticeship.ca/tradespersons/trade-certificates · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic in Nova Scotia?
Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Nova Scotia. Certification is managed by the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.
Which exams are required?
trade qualifier exam, certification exam.
Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too
Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.
Schedule a CallFree consultation. No commitment.