How to Become a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic is a compulsory trade in Ontario. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
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“Because this trade is compulsory, to practice this trade legally in Ontario a person must hold a Registered Training Agreement, Provisional Certificate of Qualification or Certificate of Qualification and their information must appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.”
From skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/refrigeration-and-air-con..., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 7 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 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 7 done
- 7 steps without a listed fee
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You enter the trade by starting an apprenticeship training program that combines on-the-job and in-school training.
Source
“An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/refrigeration-and-air-con... -
You complete 8,280 hours of on-the-job work experience, during which your sponsor or trainer signs off the skills in the Apprenticeship Training Standard.
Source
“The Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario ... has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic at 9000 (approximately five years), which consists of 8,280 hours on the job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/refrigeration-and-air-con... -
Source
“A Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/refrigeration-and-air-con... -
After completing the apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues you a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
Source
“Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/refrigeration-and-air-con... -
You pass the certifying exam for the trade.
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/refrigeration-and-air-con... -
After passing the certifying exam, Skilled Trades Ontario issues you a Certificate of Qualification.
Source
“Upon passing the certifying exam, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/refrigeration-and-air-con... -
You must renew your Certificate of Qualification each year to keep it valid.
Source
“Journeypersons in compulsory trades must renew their Certificate of Qualification each year.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/about-trades/work-in-the-compulsory-trades
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Skilled Trades Ontario
7 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 find a sponsor for your apprenticeship in Ontario.
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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
“2. 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 you submit your application, Skilled Trades Ontario contacts you to verify your 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
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group. 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/refrigeration-an...
Requirements
Education
The academic entry grade for the apprenticeship is Grade 10.
Source
“Academic entry grade Grade 10”
skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/refrigeration-an...
Other
To practice the trade legally in Ontario you must hold a Registered Training Agreement, Provisional Certificate of Qualification or Certificate of Qualification and appear on the Public Register.
Source
“Because this trade is compulsory, to practice this trade legally in Ontario a person must hold a Registered Training Agreement, Provisional Certificate of Qualification or Certificate of Qualification and their information must appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/refrigeration-and-air-con...
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
Holders of valid equivalent Certificates of Qualification issued by the Province of Quebec in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic are exempt from the requirement to hold an Ontario certificate to practice the trade. Source
“Holders of valid equivalent Certificates of Qualification issued by the Province of Quebec OR registered apprentices in the Province of Quebec in any of the following seven trades: ... Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic ... are exempt from the requirement to hold a Registered Training Agreement, Provisional Certificate of Qualification or Certificate of Qualification issued by Skilled Trades Ontario in order to engage in the practice of a compulsory trade”
skilledtradesontario.ca/about-trades/work-in-the-compulsory-trades
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. Upon passing the certifying exam, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/refrigeration-and-air-con... -
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 -
Trade Equivalency Assessment
Source
“The Trade Equivalency Assessment determines whether you can challenge the certifying exam for a trade.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r...
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 | $37.00 | $58.00 | Good (4 of 5) |
| Canada | $22.00 | $37.50 | $56.00 | — |
Refrigerations and air conditioning mechanics in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Certification required
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Certification required
- Manitoba Certification required
- Quebec Certification required
- 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
Compare refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/refrigeration-and-air-con... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Work in the compulsory trades - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/about-trades/work-in-the-compulsory-trades · fetched October 10, 2026
- Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices · fetched October 10, 2026
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic (313A) skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/refrigeration-an... · 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 refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic 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?
Certifying exam, In-school exemption test, Trade Equivalency Assessment.
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