Challenge a
Certification Exam
If you have extensive experience in your trade, you may be eligible to challenge the certification exam as a Trade Qualifier and become certified without going through an apprenticeship program. See the application process below.
Before you apply, please ensure:
You have the required hours and scope of hands-on work experience in the trade.
Your references will be contacted by phone to verify your work experience. If references cannot be contacted, it may result in a denied application.
You can schedule and pass your certification exam and practical assessments, if applicable, within 24 months of your application approval.
If you want to challenge a certification exam in a Skilled Trades Certification (compulsory) trade, please visit this page for the applicable process and requirements.
If you became certified before your trade was designated as a Red Seal trade and want to obtain a Red Seal Endorsement or have a Canadian military trade credential, please visit this page for the applicable process and information.
Steps to Challenge a Certification Exam
Search for your trade using Find Your Trade.
Review the Employer Declaration or Statutory Declaration form (near the bottom of your trade page), where you can find the hours of work experience, percentage of job task experience and any prerequisite credentials required.
To challenge a certification exam in a Skilled Trades Certification (compulsory) trade, please visit this page for the applicable process and requirements.
Some trades may also require a practical assessment in addition to the certification exam. Review the Program Profile on your trade page to confirm the challenge requirements to obtain certification. Contact us if you need help.
Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account by selecting the option to challenge a certification exam to start your application.
Complete and submit your application by following the prompts on the Portal. Follow this step-by-step guide for detailed instructions on what to expect during the application process. All documents submitted must be in English.
For each period of work experience listed on your application, you must submit an Employer or Statutory Declaration (near the bottom of your trade page). For detailed information on how to fill out these forms, visit the Declaration Forms page.
Pay the $120 application fee through the Portal and submit your application and declaration form(s).
SkilledTradesBC will review your application package, verify your work experience with the employer(s)/references you provide and determine whether you have the necessary experience to challenge the certification exam.
The typical processing time is approximately six to eight weeks, or longer if you have work experience outside of Canada.
If approved:
- You will receive an email notification with next steps to challenge the certification exam.
If denied:
- You will receive an email notification outlining the reasons for denial and possible steps to meet any outstanding challenge requirements for your trade.
Once approved, you must schedule and pass your certification exam and practical assessment, if applicable, within 24 months of approval. Visit the Exam Study and Support section for resources to help you succeed.
When you are ready to book your exam, sign into the Portal and navigate to the Exam Booking section. Follow these step-by-step instructions on how to book your exam.
You have a maximum of four attempts to achieve the required 70 per cent passing score on your certification exam. For more information on exam rewrites, see the Exam Rewrites page.
Once you have met all of the completion requirements, a certificate will be mailed to the address we have on file.