How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator (excavator) in Nunavut
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Heavy equipment operator (excavator) is a voluntary trade in Nunavut. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
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“Compulsory/Voluntary (C/V) Certification Required by Apprenticeship Authority Provinces and Territories designate each trade as compulsory or voluntary. Work in Compulsory trades can only be performed by certified journeypersons or registered apprentices. Work in Voluntary trades may legally be performed with or without certification or apprenticeship training | V”
From ellischart.ca/eng/trades/heavy-equip-op-excavator/ellis-chart.shtml, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification
Your roadmap
The steps are not listed yet.
Check the current steps with Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification.
Requirements
Experience
Experienced workers without a Canadian apprenticeship who want to challenge the certification examination must demonstrate at least 3600 hours of work in the trade.
Source
“Required Hours for Trade Qualifier Provinces and Territories dictate a minimum number of required hours working in a trade for a trade qualifier to be eligible to challenge any certification examination; candidates must also demonstrate experience that covers the trade’s practices | 7200 | 5400 | 8000 | 3600”
ellischart.ca/eng/trades/heavy-equip-op-excavator/ellis-chart.shtml
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages do not state how someone already licensed in another Canadian province or territory registers in Nunavut. Source
“Trade Qualifier Challenge Option (Yes/No) Trade qualifiers are people who have experience working in the trade, but have not completed an apprenticeship program in Canada. This indicates if the province or territory allows these experienced but uncertified workers to challenge certification examinations once they have demonstrated proof of eligible trade experience | Yes”
ellischart.ca/eng/trades/heavy-equip-op-excavator/ellis-chart.shtml
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification
Exams
-
Written Certification Examination
Source
“Written Certification Examination Indicates if there is a written examination required for certification. In many provinces and territories, the Red Seal examination is used for both certification and Red Seal endorsement. In some provinces and territories, there may be a different examination used for certification in that jurisdiction, written prior to attempting the Red Seal examination for Red Seal endorsement | Yes”
ellischart.ca/eng/trades/heavy-equip-op-excavator/ellis-chart.shtml -
Practical Final Examination
Source
“Practical Final Examination Indicates if practical, or hands-on demonstrations of skills required to successfully complete for certification | No | No | No | No | Not applicable | No | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Yes. For jusridictional TQ only”
ellischart.ca/eng/trades/heavy-equip-op-excavator/ellis-chart.shtml
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nunavut | $21.87 | $38.08 | $51.49 | Good (4 of 5) |
| Canada | $24.00 | $32.50 | $45.00 | — |
Heavy equipment operators (excavator) in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
Compare heavy equipment operator (excavator) licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator) – Ellis Chart ellischart.ca/eng/trades/heavy-equip-op-excavator/ellis-chart.shtml · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a heavy equipment operator (excavator) in Nunavut?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in Nunavut. Certification is managed by Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification.
Which exams are required?
Written Certification Examination, Practical Final Examination.
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