How to Become a Carpenter in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Carpenter 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
“Because this trade is non-compulsory, this certificate does not have to be renewed, and the information of individuals practicing this trade will not appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.”
From skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-carpenter, checked October 10, 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: 4 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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You register an apprenticeship training agreement with a sponsor so you can begin the apprenticeship program.
Source
“This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by Skilled Trades Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-carpenter -
You complete the required on-the-job work experience hours while your sponsor signs off on the skills in the Apprenticeship Training Standard.
Source
“The Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, under the authority of section 14 of the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade General Carpenter at 7,200 (approximately four years), which consists of 6,480 hours on the job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-carpenter -
You complete three levels of theoretical in-school training, which may be delivered in block release, day release, part-time or alternative formats.
Source
“A General Carpenter apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-carpenter -
You pass the certifying exam so Skilled Trades Ontario will issue you a Certificate of Qualification in the trade.
Source
“This trade has a certifying exam. When the certifying exam is passed, Skilled Trades Ontario will issue a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-carpenter
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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You review the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follow the application instructions.
Source
“Review the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follow the application instructions.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
You complete the PDF application form and email or mail it to Skilled Trades Ontario because this application is not available through the portal.
Source
“You must use the PDF application form and email or mail your application to Skilled Trades Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
Once your application is approved and you are issued a Certificate of Qualification, you can use the portal to update your information and pay fees.
Source
“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 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
-
You review the Trade Qualifier Guide carefully to make sure you meet the skills and experience requirements.
Source
“Review the Trade Qualifier Guide carefully to ensure that you meet the skills and experience requirements.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal -
You gather all supporting documents before applying, because applying without them will delay your assessment.
Source
“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 -
You create a My Ontario account, select Individual, create a new application, choose Trade Equivalency Assessment and follow the steps to submit it.
Source
“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 you can challenge the certifying exam and you pass it, you pay a fee to be issued a Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“The Trade Equivalency Assessment determines whether you can challenge the certifying exam for a trade. 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
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
Apprentices who completed prior in-school training in an accredited program must submit an official transcript and/or diploma as proof of completion to be eligible for an in-school exemption.
Source
“If an apprentice has completed prior in-school training via an accredited program approved by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), (such as a pre-apprenticeship/diploma/degree/private career college program), the apprentice must submit a copy of their official transcript and/or diploma as proof of program completion to be eligible for an in-school exemption.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices
Experience
Trade Qualifier applicants must have equivalent skills and years of experience in the trade and must not have completed an Ontario apprenticeship.
Source
“A Trade Equivalency Assessment is the first step for Trade Qualifiers who do not have a recognized trade qualification, but who have equivalent skills and years of experience in a trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages say certificate holders from another Canadian province or territory must submit a PDF application to obtain an Ontario Certificate of Qualification, but they do not state whether the entry-to-practice exam or a competence assessment is required. Source
“If you have a certificate, license or credential from another Canadian province or territory and would like to obtain an Ontario Certificate of Qualification, 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
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
“This trade has a certifying exam. When the certifying exam is passed, Skilled Trades Ontario will issue a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-carpenter -
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 | $22.00 | $32.00 | $48.00 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $22.00 | $32.12 | $44.23 | — |
Carpenters in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Quebec Certification required
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- General Carpenter - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-carpenter · fetched October 10, 2026
- Skilled Trades Ontario Portal - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal · fetched October 10, 2026
- Trade reports FAQ - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a carpenter 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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