Apply to Become a Trade Qualifier

a male Landcape Horticulturalist working on installing a watering system in an outdoor garden area.

To be approved to take the certification exam for your trade, you must meet certain requirements. Visit your trade’s page at explore trades section of this website. Click on the trades qualification tab to find the requirements listed for your trade.

Explore Trades

Your trade qualification application will be reviewed to ensure you meet the experience requirements for your trade. You must have:

  • a minimum number of years working in the trade
  • a minimum number of hours working in the trade
  • experience (skills) in at least 70 per cent scope of the trade

As part of your application, you must provide a letter from an employer or reference as a form of proof that you meet the experience requirements for your trade. Your employer must have witnessed your work and confirmed your experience as shown in your application. This is detailed in the application process below.

If part of your work experience was as a registered apprentice, these hours are considered training hours and will not qualify for experience towards trade qualification.

Important: You must reside in Manitoba to challenge a Red Seal, provincial or practical certification exam.

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In your application, you will share education, training and work experience related to your trade.

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    1

    Trades Qualification Application Form

    Complete and follow instructions.

    Trades Qualification Application
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    2

    Declaration Form

    Submit as many declaration forms as needed in order to meet the trade’s requirements for approval.

    Employer declarations are filled and signed by your direct supervisor (current and past).

    Statutory declarations are geared towards self employed candidates (additional documentation may be required).

    Find the Employer Declaration form and the Statutory Declaration form in your trade profile.

    You may complete this work experience form yourself which must include two references if:

    • your employer is no longer in business, or,
    • you were self-employed during the time for which you are applying.
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    3

    Proof of Education and Training

    Provide copies of all trade-related certificates and credentials.

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    4

    Application fee

    • Include a $200 payment (non-refundable).
      • Make cheque payable to: Apprenticeship Manitoba.
    • This fee is to assess your application and does not guarantee that you will be approved.

Once you have provided all the required documents, you will receive confirmation that your application has been submitted.

If you meet the requirements, you will be notified via email that you have been approved to challenge the certification exam and you are accepted as a trade qualifier. You will have time to study for your certification exam. Make sure to use the supports and sample exams to help you prepare for your exam.

Take Your Certification Exam

Hairstylist, Esthetician, Skin Care Technician and Nail Care Technician

If you have been successfully assessed through the trades qualification process, you will be mailed a temporary permit. This permit allows you to work while you are waiting to challenge the certification exam.

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  • All declarations and documents will be verified by Apprenticeship Manitoba.
  • You may be asked for additional information to support your application.
  • Additional documents may include:
    • income tax T4 slips
    • records of employment
    • company invoices
    • tax documents
    • company financial statements

Apprenticeship Manitoba may request an interview so that you can better share your work experience.

Note: Trades qualification certification exams must be written in Manitoba. Applications take up to eight weeks to process after payment and all documents are received.

Questions about Trades Qualification?

Contact the Trades Qualification Assessor directly at tradesQ@gov.mb.ca.

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If you’re not approved for trades qualification, you will not be allowed to challenge the certification exam. However, you may still pursue your Certification of Qualification by becoming an apprentice. Your experience in the trades may allow to reduce the overall time of your apprenticeship. Apprenticeship Manitoba will work with you to find the right place for you in the apprenticeship program.

Discover Apprenticeship

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