Recognized trade credentials in Alberta

Overview

You need a recognized credential to work in a designated trade in Alberta. Before you apply for or accept a job in Alberta, make sure your credential meets provincial standards. Your credential may not be recognized if you earned it in a different:

• province
• territory
• country
• regulatory authority

If your credential is not recognized in Alberta, to become certified in your trade you may either:

• need to become an apprentice, or
• use your work experience to apply to the trades qualifier program

You cannot perform restricted activities within a trade without certification. Alberta restricts certain activities within a designated trade, under the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act, to ensure the registered apprentice or qualified tradesperson has the authority to perform the activity.

This ensures the safety of:

• the tradesperson performing the activity,
• their colleagues on the worksite, and
• the consumers of the service or product they are working on.

Recognized trade credentials

The Interprovincial Red Seal is a recognized standard of skill and competency across Canada. If you have a trade certificate with a Red Seal you can work anywhere in Canada with no further training or exams.

Alberta also recognizes certain non-Alberta trade certificates as equivalent to Alberta journeyperson certification. These certificates may be issued by:

• other Canadian provinces or territories,
• jurisdictions outside of Canada, or
• the Department of National Defense – Canada

Find out if your trade credential is recognized in Alberta.

Trades qualifier

If you have a recognized trade certificate and you would like to get an Alberta journeyperson certificate, you can apply to the Trades Qualifier – Recognized Credential program. You will be required to pass a theory exam and, for some trades, a practical exam.

If your trade certificate is not recognized in Alberta, you can apply to the Trades Qualifier – Work Experience program. If Alberta can verify that you have completed the required hours of work experience in the trade, you will be eligible to attempt a theory exam and, in some trades, a practical exam. If you pass your exams, you will receive an Alberta journeyperson certificate.

Contact

Connect with Apprenticeship and Industry Training:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 1-800-248-4823 (in North America)
Phone: 1-403-476-9757 (International)
Fax: 780-422-3734

Find an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office near you.