How to Become a Hairstylist in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Hairstylist is a compulsory trade in Ontario. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
- Protected titles
- Hairstylist
Show the source
“Hairstylist is a compulsory trade in Ontario. To legally practice this trade, you need to: Hold a Registered Training Agreement, Provisional Certificate of Qualification or Certificate of Qualification”
From skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hairstylist, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 6 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 6 done
- 6 steps without a listed fee
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The applicant finds a sponsor in Ontario to begin an apprenticeship.
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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 required on-the-job work experience set out in the Apprenticeship Training Standard, with the sponsor or trainer signing off the skills as they are demonstrated.
Source
“An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s Apprenticeship Training Standard”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hairstylist -
The apprentice completes two levels of theoretical in-school training, which may be delivered in block release, day release, part-time or alternative formats.
Source
“A Hairstylist apprenticeship includes two levels of theoretical training”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hairstylist -
Upon completing the apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
Source
“Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hairstylist -
The candidate successfully challenges the Certification of Qualification exam.
Source
“This trade has a certifying exam. Upon passing the certifying exam, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hairstylist
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
6 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 completes the PDF application form and emails or mails it to Skilled Trades Ontario.
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 the application is approved, the applicant is issued an Ontario Certificate of Qualification.
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
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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 will delay the assessment.
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 can challenge the certifying exam, they take it and, if successful, 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
Experience
Applicants for a Trade Equivalency Assessment must have equivalent skills and years of experience in the trade but must not 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
To legally practise the trade in Ontario, you must hold a Registered Training Agreement, Provisional Certificate of Qualification or Certificate of Qualification and appear on Skilled Trades Ontario’s Public Register.
Source
“To legally practice this trade, you need to: Hold a Registered Training Agreement, Provisional Certificate of Qualification or Certificate of Qualification - Appear on Skilled Trades Ontario’s Public Register”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hairstylist
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
A holder of a certificate, licence or credential from another Canadian province or territory can apply using a PDF form and, once the application is approved, is issued an Ontario Certificate of Qualification without any additional exam or assessment being described. 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
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
-
Certification of Qualification exam
Source
“Candidates who complete the requirements of the Ontario Hairstylist apprenticeship program or qualify through our Trade Equivalency Assessment program and successfully challenge the Certification of Qualification exam, will receive a provincial Certificate of Qualification only.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hairstylist
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 | $17.60 | $18.00 | $28.57 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $15.00 | $19.88 | $30.00 | — |
Hairstylists in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Certification required
- Quebec Voluntary certification
- New Brunswick Certification required
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Hairstylist - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/hairstylist · fetched October 11, 2026
- Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices · 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
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a hairstylist in Ontario?
Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Ontario. Certification is managed by Skilled Trades Ontario.
Which exams are required?
Certification of Qualification exam.
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