Ontario hvac license requirements
6 facts reviewed by our editor against the official page. Passages marked “not yet reviewed” are copied word-for-word from official provincial/territorial pages (fetched 2026-10-17) and are pending human review — read them in context on the linked source.
| Item | Detail (with quote from the official source) |
|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Individual worker certificate Skilled Trades Ontario: 647-847-3000, toll-free (Ontario) 1-855-299-0028. “647-847-3000, or Toll Free in Ontario at 1-855-299-0028” Official source · verified 2026-10-17 · Current apprentices - Skilled Trades Ontario |
| State/provincial license required? | Individual worker certificate Compulsory trade: you must hold a Registered Training Agreement, Provisional Certificate of Qualification or Certificate of Qualification to practise. “Because this trade is compulsory, to practice this trade legally in Ontario a person must hold a Registered Training Agreement, Provisional Certificate of Qualification or Certificate of Qualification” Official source · verified 2026-10-17 · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic - Skilled Trades Ontario |
| License levels | “These hours are consistent with apprentice training hours previously set out in regulation under the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act, R.S.O 1990.” Official excerpt · not yet reviewed · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic - Skilled Trades Ontario “As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.” Official excerpt · not yet reviewed · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic - Skilled Trades Ontario “A Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:” Official excerpt · not yet reviewed · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic - Skilled Trades Ontario |
| Experience / hours | Individual worker certificate Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic: 9,000 hours (about 5 years) = 8,280 on-the-job + 720 in-school. “has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic at 9000 (approximately five years), which consists of 8,280 hours on the job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.” Official source · verified 2026-10-17 · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic - Skilled Trades Ontario “The Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, under the authority of section 14 of the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic at 9000 (approximately five years), which consists of 8,280 hours on the job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.” Official excerpt · not yet reviewed · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic - Skilled Trades Ontario “8,280 hours (approximately 5 years)” Official excerpt · not yet reviewed · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic (313A) “720 hours (6 months across 3 levels)” Official excerpt · not yet reviewed · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic (313A) |
| Exam | Individual worker certificate Certifying exam; on passing, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification. “This trade has a certifying exam. Upon passing the certifying exam, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.” Official source · verified 2026-10-17 · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic - Skilled Trades Ontario “This trade has a certifying exam.” Official excerpt · not yet reviewed · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic - Skilled Trades Ontario “Upon passing the certifying exam, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Qualification in this trade.” Official excerpt · not yet reviewed · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic - Skilled Trades Ontario |
| Fees | Individual worker certificate Exam fee $150 + HST; first attempt free for apprentices with completed training agreements. “apprentices with completed training agreements are not required to pay the exam fee ($150+ HST) for their first exam attempt.” Official source · verified 2026-10-17 · Finish an apprenticeship - Skilled Trades Ontario |
| Renewal | “A Certificate of Qualification issued in this trade must be renewed to be valid.” Official excerpt · not yet reviewed · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic - Skilled Trades Ontario |
| Reciprocity & endorsement | Individual worker certificate Part of the Interprovincial Red Seal Program (national standard across Canada). “In Ontario, the trade is part of the Interprovincial Red Seal Program” Official source · verified 2026-10-17 · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic - Skilled Trades Ontario “In Ontario, the trade is part of the Interprovincial Red Seal Program—the national standard for the trade across Canada— under the title Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic:” Official excerpt · not yet reviewed · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic - Skilled Trades Ontario |
Check a license in Ontario
Ontario does not publish a bulk license file we use; check with the licensing authority’s own search (see sources).
Questions to ask the board
- Which license level matches my experience, and do hours from another jurisdiction count?
- Is the exam open-book, and which code edition is used?
- Do I also need a city or county license where I will work?
- Is there a reciprocity or endorsement agreement with my current jurisdiction?
Sources checked: www.skilledtradesontario.ca · www.skilledtradesontario.ca · www.skilledtradesontario.ca · www.skilledtradesontario.ca