How to Become an Industrial Electrician in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Industrial electrician is a voluntary trade in Ontario. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
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- 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/industrial-electrician, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 6 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- 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 who will provide practical on-the-job training.
Source
“As a sponsor, you are responsible for ensuring that the apprentice receives training in accordance with the apprenticeship training program established by Skilled Trades Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/sponsor-an-apprentice -
The applicant applies for the apprenticeship program in the trade.
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The apprentice completes the required on-the-job work experience, with the sponsor or trainer signing off skills in the training standard as they are demonstrated.
Source
“As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/industrial-electrician -
The apprentice completes the levels of in-school theoretical training, which may be delivered as block release, day release, part-time or alternative delivery depending on the training delivery agency.
Source
“Depending on the training delivery agency, in-school training may be available in one of the following ways: block release (full-time, for a set number of weeks) day release (one day per week from September to June) part-time (night-school programs) alternative delivery (online, correspondence, etc.)”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/industrial-electrician -
After completing the apprenticeship program, the apprentice receives a Certificate of Apprenticeship from Skilled Trades Ontario.
Source
“This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by Skilled Trades Ontario. Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/industrial-electrician -
The applicant passes the certifying exam, after which Skilled Trades Ontario issues 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/industrial-electrician
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 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
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The applicant applies for an apprenticeship program in Ontario, checking off the section of the form indicating training completed in another province.
Source
“Apply for an apprenticeship program in Ontario. - On your application you will need to check off the section of the form that you have completed training in another province.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices -
After the application is submitted, Skilled Trades Ontario contacts the applicant to verify the out-of-province training.
Source
“Skilled Trades Ontario will contact you to verify your out-of-province training after you have submitted your application.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
- 4 steps without a listed fee
No separate route for this group. 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
Requirements
Education
The academic entry grade for the trade is Grade 12.
Source
“Academic entry grade Grade 12”
skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/industrial-elect...
Experience
Experienced workers who have not completed an Ontario apprenticeship can use the Trade Equivalency Assessment process if they have equivalent qualifications or experience in their trade.
Source
“Experienced workers who have not completed an Ontario apprenticeship but have equivalent qualifications or experience in their trade can use the Trade Equivalency Assessment Process.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/industrial-elect...
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The page says holders of a certificate, licence or credential from another Canadian province or territory must use a PDF application form for the Canadian certificate holder application, but it does not state whether they can register without extra assessments or exams. 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/industrial-electrician -
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 | $29.00 | $40.50 | $48.00 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $28.00 | $42.00 | $54.00 | — |
Industrial electricians in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Certification required
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Certification required
- 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 Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Industrial Electrician - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/industrial-electrician · fetched October 11, 2026
- Sponsor an apprentice - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/sponsor-an-apprentice · fetched October 10, 2026
- Skilled Trades Ontario Portal - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal · fetched October 10, 2026
- Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices · fetched October 10, 2026
- Industrial Electrician (442A) skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/industrial-elect... · fetched October 11, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as an industrial electrician 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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