If you work in a skilled trade in Canada, Red Seal is the endorsement that makes your certificate recognizable across provinces and territories. People search for it every month and often ask the same things: which trades are covered, where, and why the trade name changes from one province to the next. This guide answers those questions using the official Red Seal trade list.
How Red Seal fits with provincial certification
Certification is provincial or territorial. Red Seal is an interprovincial standard endorsement on top of it for designated trades. A trade being designated in a province means that province participates in Red Seal for that trade. Details on exams and eligibility are set provincially, so follow the official links below.
Trade names by province (official list)
| Red Seal trade | NOC | Designated in | Other names used | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Electrician | 72200 | AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT | Electrician - Construction and Maintenance, (ON); Electrician (AB, QC); Electrician (Construction) (NT, NU) | red-seal.ca (verified 2026-10-17) |
| Industrial Electrician | 72201 | BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, YT | Electrician (QC); Electrician (Industrial) (NT) | red-seal.ca (verified 2026-10-17) |
| Plumber | 72300 | AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT | Pipe Fitter (Plumber) (QC) | red-seal.ca (verified 2026-10-17) |
| Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic | 72402 | AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician (NB); Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic (ON); Refrigeration Mechanic (QC); Class 1 refrigeration systems (non-construction) (QC) | red-seal.ca (verified 2026-10-17) |
| Steamfitter/Pipefitter | 72301 | AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT | Steamfitter (ON); Pipe Fitter (Heating Systems Installer) (QC); Steamfitter/Pipefitter (non-construction) (QC); Steamfitter and Pipefitter (NT); Steamfitter-Pipefitter (MB, AB, SK) | red-seal.ca (verified 2026-10-17) |
| Gasfitter - Class A | 72302 | AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, PE, QC, YT | Gasfitter (First Class) (YT, NU); Gasfitter (MB); Gasfitter (A) (NT) | red-seal.ca (verified 2026-10-17) |
| Sheet Metal Worker | 72102 | AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT | Tinsmith (QC) | red-seal.ca (verified 2026-10-17) |
| Oil Heat System Technician | 72420 | BC, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, PE, YT | Oil Burner Mechanic (YT) | red-seal.ca (verified 2026-10-17) |
Our interactive Red Seal trade-name lookup has the same data. For provincial requirements, see the electrician, plumber and HVAC hubs.
Provincial facts that mention Red Seal or interprovincial recognition
- Ontario (electrician): Part of the Interprovincial Red Seal Program (national standard across Canada). (Individual worker certificate) — source: Electrician - Construction and Maintenance - Skilled Trades Ontario, verified 2026-10-18
- Ontario (plumber): Part of the Interprovincial Red Seal Program (national standard across Canada). (Individual worker certificate) — source: Plumber - Skilled Trades Ontario, verified 2026-10-18
- Ontario (hvac): Part of the Interprovincial Red Seal Program (national standard across Canada). (Individual worker certificate) — source: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic - Skilled Trades Ontario, verified 2026-10-18
- British Columbia (electrician): An Interprovincial Red Seal in an STC trade meets BC Skilled Trades Certification requirements. (Individual worker certificate) — source: Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC, verified 2026-10-18
- British Columbia (hvac): An Interprovincial Red Seal in an STC trade meets BC Skilled Trades Certification requirements. (Individual worker certificate) — source: Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC, verified 2026-10-18
- Alberta (electrician): Holders of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta may work the full scope of the trade in Alberta. (Individual worker certificate) — source: Tradesecrets - Electrician, verified 2026-10-18
How to use this guide
- Every fact above links to the official page it came from, with the date we checked it. Rules change — confirm with the board before you apply or pay.
- To check whether a specific person or company holds a license, use our license lookup (TX, CA, WA, OR, NY and Québec RBQ data) or the board's own search.
- Moving between states or provinces? See the electrician reciprocity matrix and our Red Seal guide.
FAQ
Which provinces designate Construction Electrician as a Red Seal trade?
According to the official Red Seal page: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT. — source: red-seal.ca, verified 2026-10-17
Which provinces designate Industrial Electrician as a Red Seal trade?
According to the official Red Seal page: BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, YT. — source: red-seal.ca, verified 2026-10-17
Which provinces designate Plumber as a Red Seal trade?
According to the official Red Seal page: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT. — source: red-seal.ca, verified 2026-10-17
Which provinces designate Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic as a Red Seal trade?
According to the official Red Seal page: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT. — source: red-seal.ca, verified 2026-10-17
Which provinces designate Steamfitter/Pipefitter as a Red Seal trade?
According to the official Red Seal page: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT. — source: red-seal.ca, verified 2026-10-17