Skilled Trades Ontario delivers certifying exams in-house and directly manages the exam-day experience. Skilled Trades Ontario will also provide your results and outline your next steps once your exam is completed. Here’s what you need to know:
To be eligible to take a certifying exam, you must:
After payment, you will receive an Authorization to Test Letter by email (or mail if you do not have email access). This letter is essential:
It includes your Eligibility Number (required to schedule your exam)
It provides exam scheduling instructions
You must bring a printed copy of the letter on exam day
Each letter and Eligibility Number is unique to each exam attempt.
Please note that if you do not pass your exam, there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period before you can retake it. You will also need to pay the exam fee again before rescheduling.
If you experience barriers during exams or feel you may benefit from additional support, accommodations may be available. To ensure compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and maintain exam integrity, some accommodation requests require formal supporting documentation. This may include a recent, signed assessment or letter from a qualified health professional detailing the nature of the disability and recommended accommodations. Accommodation requests submitted without the required documentation cannot be approved. Please fill out this form and submit it to accommodations@skilledtradesontario.ca.
Exams are available in English or French only. Candidates must take the exam in one of these languages. English and French dictionaries are available at all exam locations.
The use of an interpreter or translator must be requested as an accommodation and supported by relevant medical documentation. Interpreters or translators will not be provided for candidates whose primary barrier is low English/French‑language proficiency and not a disability‑related need. Candidates may request to bring their own foreign‑language dictionary. Approved dictionaries must be word‑to‑word translation only and will be inspected before and after the exam.
If you have an urgent medically advised accommodation, please contact Skilled Trades Ontario before you schedule your exam:
You may notice a new “Examinations” button in the STO Portal. This feature is part of our work to modernize exam services. Skilled Trades Ontario delivers certifying exams in-house and will directly manage the exam-day experience, including identity verification and support for onsite and Training-Delivery-Agent-based delivery.
Please follow the instructions from your emailed Authorization to Test Letter:
If you require assistance with rescheduling your exam, please contact us by phone at 647-847-3000 Toll-free number (Ontario only): 1-855-299-0028.
To help facilitate the certifying process and improve accessibility, Skilled Trades Ontario has established onsite exam delivery at the locations listed below.
We continue to work with Training Delivery Agents to improve accessibility across Ontario.
Please note that some campuses offer additional instructions and maps on their website for visitors.
There are many resources available to help you prepare for your certifying exam. First, you will need to be familiar with your Apprenticeship Training Standard. Other preparation resources include preparation courses, sample exams, study guides, materials and various texts. You can also use your own network of support by speaking to your employers, previous instructors and colleagues at work.
Please note: Some of the resource documents may still refer to the Ontario College of Trades (the College), which has ceased operations and has been replaced by Skilled Trades Ontario. These documents are now being revised to reflect this change to the skilled trades system in Ontario. All other information contained in these documents continues to be relevant and accurate.
If you have questions about booking or rescheduling, contact the Skilled Trades Ontario Client Services Centre.