How to Become a Machinist in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Machinist 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-machinist, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 5 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 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
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Apply for an apprenticeship program through the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal.
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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/general-machinist -
Source
“A General Machinist apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-machinist -
Upon completion of 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/general-machinist -
Pass 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/general-machinist
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.
Licensed in another province
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
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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 -
Complete the PDF application form and email or mail it to Skilled Trades Ontario, since 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 the application is approved and a Certificate of Qualification is issued, the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal can be used to update information, pay fees or initiate other applications.
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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Review the Trade Qualifier Guide carefully to ensure 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 -
Collect all supporting documentation before applying, because applying without all documents causes a delay and the documents must be submitted before the assessment can begin.
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 -
Create a My Ontario account to access the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal, select Individual, create a new application, select 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 -
Once the Trade Equivalency Assessment is approved, challenge the certifying exam to obtain a Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“When Skilled Trades Ontario has verified your qualifications, you will be approved to challenge the certifying exam to obtain a Certificate of Qualification.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/experienced-workers/canadian-forces
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
Applicants to the apprenticeship need Grade 12 as the academic entry grade.
Source
“Academic entry grade Grade 12”
skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/general-machinis...
Experience
Trade Equivalency Assessment applicants must have equivalent skills and years of experience in a trade.
Source
“If you are a tradesperson with equivalent skills and years of experience in a trade and would like to apply for a Trade Equivalency Assessment:”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages say certificate holders from another Canadian province or territory can apply for an Ontario Certificate of Qualification using a PDF application form, but do not state whether they can register without retaking the entry-to-practice exam or a competence assessment. 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.”
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-machinist -
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 | $21.00 | $30.00 | $40.85 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $21.00 | $30.00 | $41.50 | — |
Machinists in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Quebec Voluntary certification
- 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 Machinist - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/general-machinist · fetched October 11, 2026
- Skilled Trades Ontario Portal - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal · fetched October 10, 2026
- Canadian Forces - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/experienced-workers/canadian-forces · fetched October 10, 2026
- General Machinist (429A) skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/general-machinis... · fetched October 11, 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 machinist 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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