How to Become a Roofer in Ontario
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Roofer 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/roofer, 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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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 3,520 hours of on-the-job work experience as part of the 4,000 hours of apprenticeship training set for the trade.
Source
“has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Roofer at 4,000 (approximately two years), which consists of 3,520 hours on the job work experience and 480 hours of in-school training.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/roofer -
Source
“A Roofer apprenticeship includes two levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:”
skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/roofer -
The apprentice 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/roofer
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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The apprentice finds a sponsor in Ontario.
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The apprentice applies for an apprenticeship program in Ontario and checks off the section of the form indicating they 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 -
Skilled Trades Ontario contacts the apprentice to verify their out-of-province training after the application has been submitted.
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
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
“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, because applying without it will delay the assessment.
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 -
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
“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 and they pass it, they 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
Education
Applicants to the Roofer apprenticeship need an academic entry grade of Grade 10.
Source
“Academic entry grade Grade 10”
skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/roofer-449A_2025...
Experience
Experienced workers who have not completed an Ontario apprenticeship must have equivalent qualifications or experience in the trade to use the Trade Equivalency Assessment Process.
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/roofer-449A_2025...
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 the PDF Canadian Certificate Holder application form and email or mail it to Skilled Trades Ontario, and once approved a Certificate of Qualification is issued, but it does not state whether an exam or competence assessment is required. 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
Review the application guide
Source
“Review the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form and follow the application instructions.”
skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portalSubmit the application
Source
“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
-
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/roofer -
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 | $22.00 | $29.14 | $40.00 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $22.00 | $30.97 | $44.24 | — |
Roofers in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- 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 Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Roofer - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/roofer · 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
- Roofer (449A) skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/roofer-449A_2025... · fetched October 11, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a roofer 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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