Licensing guide · Ontario

How to Become a Painter and Decorator - Industrial in Ontario

Last checked 3 sources checked

Do you need certification?

Certification is voluntary

Painter and decorator - industrial 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/painter-and-decorator-ind..., checked October 11, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Voluntary certification See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 6 steps without a listed fee

  1. An apprenticeship program begins when you sign a Training Agreement with a sponsor and register it with Skilled Trades Ontario.

    Source
    “An apprenticeship program begins when you sign a Training Agreement with a sponsor and register it with Skilled Trades Ontario.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/starting-your-apprenticeship

  2. You download the Apprenticeship Training Standard Logbook or Schedule of Training that lists the skills and tasks to master during the apprenticeship.

    Source
    “An Apprenticeship Training Standard Logbook or Schedule of Training outlines all the skills and tasks you need to master during your apprenticeship.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/starting-your-apprenticeship

  3. You complete 5,280 hours of on-the-job work experience as part of the apprenticeship.

    Source
    “the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Painter and Decorator- Industrial at 6,000 (approximately three years), which consists of 5,280 hours on the job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/painter-and-decorator-ind...
  4. Source
    “A Painter and Decorator — Industrial apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/painter-and-decorator-ind...

  5. 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/painter-and-decorator-ind...

  6. You pass the certifying exam to receive 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/painter-and-decorator-ind...

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.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. You find a sponsor in Ontario.

    Source
    “1. Find a sponsor in Ontario.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices

  2. You apply for an apprenticeship program in Ontario and check off the section of the form indicating you have completed training 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

  3. Skilled Trades Ontario contacts you to verify your out-of-province training after you submit your application.

    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

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Experience

  • The apprenticeship requires 5,280 hours of on-the-job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.

    Source
    “the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Painter and Decorator- Industrial at 6,000 (approximately three years), which consists of 5,280 hours on the job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/painter-and-decorator-ind...

Already licensed in another province?

Not stated

The pages describe credit for out-of-province apprenticeship training but do not state how a journeyperson licensed in another province registers in Ontario.

Source
“If you’re a registered apprentice in another province or territory, you may get credit for your training in Ontario.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with Skilled Trades Ontario

Compare scores across provinces and professions

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

No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.

Painters and decorators - industrial in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 0 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

  • British Columbia Not confirmed yet
  • Alberta Not confirmed yet
  • Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
  • Manitoba Not confirmed yet
  • Quebec Not confirmed yet
  • New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
  • Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
  • Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
  • Yukon Not confirmed yet
  • Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
  • Nunavut Not confirmed yet

Compare painter and decorator - industrial licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 11, 2026.

  1. Painter and Decorator — Industrial - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/painter-and-decorator-ind... · fetched October 11, 2026
  2. Start an apprenticeship - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/starting-your-apprenticeship · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. 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 painter and decorator - industrial 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.

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