Ontario plumber 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 · Plumber - Skilled Trades Ontario |
| Experience / hours | Individual worker certificate Plumber: 9,000 hours (about 5 years) = 8,280 on-the-job + 720 in-school. “has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Plumber at 9,000 (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 · Plumber - Skilled Trades Ontario |
| 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 · Plumber - 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 |
| 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 · Plumber - 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