A Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) is an official document that proves that a person is qualified to work in a particular skilled trade in Ontario. A Certificate of Qualification can set you apart from other candidates, and market your skills to prospective clients.
In all compulsory trades, a Certificate of Qualification is needed to work legally in Ontario and needs to be renewed annually.
In non-compulsory trades, a Certificate of Qualification may be available. Find out which trades are non-compulsory, and if certification is offered.
Certificates of Qualification are available in compulsory and non-compulsory trades with certifying exams. The process to obtain your Certificate of Qualification differs based on your situation.
If you are an individual who has completed one of the following options, you are eligible to explore the next steps in the certification process:
If you have an Ontario Certificate of Apprenticeship and have passed your trade’s certifying exam, you are eligible to receive a Certificate of Qualification. Skilled Trades Ontario will communicate with you directly and you will receive your certificate in the mail.
If you completed an Ontario apprenticeship, there is no cost to obtain your initial Certificate of Qualification.
If you have been approved through the Skilled Trades Ontario Trade Equivalency Assessment (TEA) and you have passed your trade’s certifying exam, you are eligible to receive a Certificate of Qualification. When you are approved, Skilled Trades Ontario will communicate with you directly to initiate the payment of your certificate.
The cost to obtain your initial Certificate of Qualification is $60 + HST.
To process payment for your certificate, please contact our client services department at (647) 847-3000 or 1-855-299-0028 (toll-free within Ontario only), Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm EST.
If you have had your Canadian trade credential verified by Skilled Trades Ontario, you are eligible to receive a Certificate of Qualification. When you are approved, Skilled Trades Ontario will communicate with you directly to initiate payment of your certificate.
The cost to obtain your initial Certificate of Qualification is $60 + HST.
To process payment for your certificate, please log into your Skilled Trades Ontario account or contact our client services department at (647) 847-3000 or 1-855-299-0028 (toll-free within Ontario only), Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm EST.
Effective April 1, 2024, all Skilled Trades Ontario Certificates of Qualification issued in compulsory trades must be renewed annually to avoid expiry. Skilled Trades Ontario will send a renewal notice before the certificate expiry date.
The cost to renew your certificate is $60 + HST*.
Certificates of Qualification issued in non-compulsory trades no longer have expiry dates and cannot be renewed.
*Please note: Any individual who previously held a CofQ in the former trade of Barber is exempt from renewal fees for a Hairstylist CofQ under BOSTA (in accordance with O. Reg. 877/21, s. 11).
Pay online
Log into your Skilled Trades Ontario account and follow the instructions to complete your payment.
Pay through a Canadian bank or credit union
You may process payment in-person at a Canadian bank, credit union, via telephone or through online banking.
You can add Skilled Trades Ontario as a payee, using your account number. Your Skilled Trades Ontario account number is the same as your membership number with the Ontario College of Trades.
Pay by cheque (do not mail cash)
You can make a cheque payable to Skilled Trades Ontario. Ensure that your account number is included on the cheque. Your Skilled Trades Ontario account number is the same as your membership number with the Ontario College of Trades.
Include the following address when mailing your cheque and remittance stub from your Renewal Invoice:
Skilled Trades Ontario
PO BOX 4003 STN A
Toronto, ON M5W 0G5
Pay by telephone (Visa or Mastercard only)
To make a payment by telephone, call the Skilled Trades Ontario client service department at 647-847-3000 or 1-855-299-0028 (toll-free in Ontario only), Mon-Fri, 8:30 am-5:00 pm EST. Please have your account number and credit card ready. Your Skilled Trades Ontario account number is the same as your membership number with the Ontario College of Trades.
In 2023, Skilled Trades Ontario announced the launch of new credentials for journeypersons and apprentices. This includes Certificates of Qualification and wallet cards.
Effective November 1, 2023, Skilled Trades Ontario has implemented a new Certificate of Qualification design. Skilled Trades Ontario is taking a phased approach in the printing and distribution of new certificates.
Currently, new certificates are being issued to all individuals who have met the requirements according to the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021 and have qualified as a journeyperson in a designated trade on or after January 1, 2022.
Certificates issued prior to January 1, 2022 continue to be valid and recognized by Skilled Trades Ontario.
Beginning in February 2024, Skilled Trades Ontario will resume wallet cards issuance. Over the next 12 months, Skilled Trades Ontario will issue wallet cards to all active journeypersons in compulsory and non-compulsory trades.
This page will be updated with new information when future phases are ready for implementation.