How to Become a Blaster in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Blaster is a voluntary trade in Ontario. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“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 Not applicable V Not applicable V Not applicable V Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable”
From ellischart.ca/eng/trades/non-red-seal/blaster.shtml, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 5 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
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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The applicant finds a sponsor in Ontario.
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The applicant applies for an apprenticeship program in Ontario.
Source
“2. Apply for an apprenticeship program in Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices -
The apprentice completes the on-the-job and in-school training set out in the Apprenticeship Training Standard Logbook or Schedule of Training.
Source
“The Apprenticeship Training Standard Logbook or Schedule of Training sets out the on-the-job training requirements.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/sponsor-an-apprentice -
The applicant successfully passes the required certifying examination for the trade.
Source
“A Certificate of Qualification is a document issued to an individual who has successfully passed the required examination for the trade and paid any applicable fees.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
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The applicant reviews the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follows the application instructions.
Source
“1. Review the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follow the application instructions.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
The applicant submits the PDF application form by email or mail to Skilled Trades Ontario, since this application is not available through the portal.
Source
“please note that the Canadian certificate holder application is currently not available through the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal. You must use the PDF application form and email or mail your application to Skilled Trades Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
Once the application is approved, the applicant is issued a Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“2. Once your application is approved and you are issued a Certificate of Qualification, you may then use the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal to update your information, pay fees or initiate other applications.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
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The applicant reviews the Trade Qualifier Guide carefully to ensure they meet the skills and experience requirements.
Source
“1. Review the Trade Qualifier Guide carefully to ensure that you meet the skills and experience requirements.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
The applicant collects all supporting documentation before applying, since applying without them causes a delay.
Source
“2. Collect all supporting documentation before applying. If you apply without attaching all supporting documents, it will cause a delay and you will be required to submit the documents before the assessment can begin.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
The applicant creates a My Ontario account, selects Individual, creates a new application, selects Trade Equivalency Assessment and follows the steps to submit it.
Source
“3. Create a My Ontario account to access the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal. Then, when prompted, select Individual, create a New application and select Trade Equivalency Assessment and follow the steps to submit your application.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
If the Trade Equivalency Assessment determines the applicant is eligible, they challenge the certifying exam for the trade.
Source
“The Trade Equivalency Assessment determines whether you can challenge the certifying exam for a trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r... -
If successful in the exam, the applicant pays a fee to be issued a Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“If successful in the exam, you would pay a fee to be issued a Certificate of Qualification in that trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Experience
Trade Equivalency Assessment applicants must have equivalent skills and years of experience in the trade and must not already be certified in the trade or have completed an Ontario apprenticeship.
Source
“Skilled Trades Ontario’s Trade Qualifier application process enables experienced tradespeople who are not already certified in a trade and have not completed an Ontario apprenticeship (i.e. Trade Qualifiers) to become eligible to attempt the certifying examination to obtain a Certificate of Qualification.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal
Other
Applicants who do not meet the prescribed Academic Entry Requirements may register through the Experienced Apprenticeship Pathway if they are at least 21 years old or have not received formal education for at least three years.
Source
“To be considered for EAP, the applicant must: 1. be at least at least 21 years old, or 2. have not received formal education for a period of at least three years.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r...
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
Applicants with an authorizing certificate from another Canadian province or territory can apply to have their credential verified and no further training or examination will be required. Source
“If you have an authorizing certificate from another Canadian province or territory you can apply to have your credential verified and no further training or examination will be required.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/experienced-workers
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
Exams
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certifying exam
Source
“The Trade Equivalency Assessment determines whether you can challenge the certifying exam for a trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r... -
in-school exemption test
Source
“If the apprentice has successfully completed an in-school exemption test, the apprentice must submit a copy of their results letter to be eligible for an exemption from the corresponding level of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $26.00 | $35.00 | $47.28 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $27.00 | $37.50 | $49.00 | — |
Blasters in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Certification required
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Certification required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Blaster – Ellis Chart ellischart.ca/eng/trades/non-red-seal/blaster.shtml · fetched October 10, 2026
- Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices · fetched October 10, 2026
- Sponsor an apprentice - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/sponsor-an-apprentice · fetched October 10, 2026
- Trade reports FAQ - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Experienced workers - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/experienced-workers · fetched October 10, 2026
- Skilled Trades Ontario Portal - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a blaster in Ontario?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in Ontario. Certification is managed by Skilled Trades Ontario.
Which exams are required?
certifying exam, in-school exemption test.
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