Licensing guide · Ontario

How to Become a Sheet Metal Worker in Ontario

Last checked 7 sources checkedNOC 72102

Do you need certification?

Certification required

Sheet metal worker is a compulsory trade in Ontario. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Sheet Metal Worker Skilled Trades Ontario”

From ontario.ca/page/work-your-profession-or-trade, checked October 11, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Certification required 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

  • 5 steps without a listed fee

  1. The applicant finds a sponsor in Ontario to begin an apprenticeship.

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

  2. The applicant applies for an apprenticeship program in Ontario.

    Source
    “2. Apply for an apprenticeship program in Ontario.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices

  3. The apprentice completes practical on-the-job training with a sponsor or trainer, with skills signed off in the training standard.

    Source
    “An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/sheet-metal-worker

  4. The apprentice completes three levels of theoretical in-school training.

    Source
    “A Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/sheet-metal-worker

  5. The apprentice passes the certifying exam to obtain a Certificate of Qualification.

    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/sheet-metal-worker

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

  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. An apprentice registered in another province or territory first finds a sponsor in Ontario.

    Source
    “If you’re a registered apprentice in another province or territory, you may get credit for your training in Ontario. #### Steps to register in Ontario 1. Find a sponsor in Ontario.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices

  2. The applicant applies for an Ontario apprenticeship program, checking off the section 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

  3. Skilled Trades Ontario contacts the applicant to verify their out-of-province training after the application is 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.

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

Other

  • To work in the compulsory trade legally in Ontario, a person must hold a valid Certificate of Qualification, Provisional Certificate of Qualification or Registered Training Agreement.

    Source
    “To work in one of the 23 compulsory trades in Ontario, you must hold a valid: - Certificate of Qualification, or - Provisional Certificate of Qualification, or - Registered Training Agreement.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/about-trades/work-in-the-compulsory-trades

  • Applicants who do not meet the Academic Entry Requirements may register through the Experienced Apprenticeship Pathway if they are at least 21 years old or have not received formal education for at least three years.

    Source
    “To be considered for EAP, the applicant must: 1. be at least at least 21 years old, or 2. have not received formal education for a period of at least three years.”
    skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r...

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

A holder of a certificate from another Canadian province or territory can apply using the Canadian Certificate Holder Guide and Form, and once the application is approved a Certificate of Qualification is issued, with no additional exam or assessment stated.

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

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

Job Bank figures for NOC 72102, Sheet metal workers. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Ontario and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Ontario $22.94 $35.00 $48.17 Limited (2 of 5)
Canada $22.70 $34.07 $45.95 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Ontario

Wages in every province and territory

Sheet metal workers in other provinces and territories

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

Compare sheet metal worker licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 11, 2026.

  1. ontario.ca/page/work-your-profession-or-trade ontario.ca/page/work-your-profession-or-trade
  2. Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/apprenticeship/current-apprentices · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Sheet Metal Worker - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/sheet-metal-worker · fetched October 11, 2026
  4. Sheet Metal Worker (308A) skilledtradesontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/sheet-metal-work... · fetched October 11, 2026
  5. Work in the compulsory trades - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/about-trades/work-in-the-compulsory-trades · fetched October 10, 2026
  6. Trade reports FAQ - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/resource-hub/research/trade-reports/trade-r... · fetched October 10, 2026
  7. Skilled Trades Ontario Portal - Skilled Trades Ontario skilledtradesontario.ca/skilled-trades-ontario-portal · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a sheet metal worker 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.

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