Skilled Trades Ontario's In-House Exams: What It Means for Hiring

Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) now delivers all certifying exams through its own in-house system — a significant shift that makes credential verification faster, more consistent, and more reliable for Ontario homeowners and contractors alike.

If you've ever hired a tradesperson and wondered whether their Certificate of Qualification was current, or if you're a contractor trying to stand out in a crowded market, this change directly affects you. Here's what happened, why it matters, and how to use the new system to your advantage.

What Changed on February 1, 2026

Before February 2026, Ontario's certifying exams for skilled trades were administered by Prometric, a third-party testing company. Apprentices booking an exam had to navigate an external platform, travel to Prometric test centres, and work through a system that wasn't purpose-built for Ontario's trades ecosystem.

That ended on February 1, 2026. Skilled Trades Ontario now delivers all certifying exams in-house, consolidating booking, delivery, and exam-day support under one roof. Apprentices schedule directly through the STO Portal, and exams are available at more than 100 Training Delivery Agent (TDA) locations across Ontario — a permanent expansion that STO made official in October 2025.

This wasn't a sudden decision. STO assumed statutory responsibility for registering training agreements, administering examinations, and issuing Certificates of Apprenticeship in April 2025. The February 2026 exam transition was the logical next step.

Since April 2025, STO has administered more than 15,200 certifying exams through the new system, according to its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan. That's a meaningful volume — and a signal that the new infrastructure is running at scale.

Why the Old System Was a Problem

The move to in-house delivery was driven by direct feedback from apprentices and employer-sponsors. STO's CEO Candice White described the push as a response to calls for "increased capacity and a reliable, streamlined exam experience." Industry groups including the Carpenters' Regional Council and Central Ontario Building Trades supported the transition.

The timing matters. Ontario's minister of Labour noted that more than 13,000 youth registered as apprentices in the prior year — the highest in a decade. A third-party exam provider built for general professional testing wasn't designed to absorb that kind of growth in a specialized trades context.

For homeowners, the downstream effect of exam bottlenecks was real: fewer certified journeypersons entering the market, longer waits for qualified tradespeople, and less reliable credential data. A system that can't process apprentices efficiently can't produce the verified tradespeople Ontario needs.

How Credential Verification Works Now

The in-house exam system makes it easier to verify that a tradesperson's credentials are legitimate — and that matters whether you're a homeowner hiring for a renovation or a general contractor assembling a subcontractor team.

Here's how the verification chain works:

The Public Register is the key tool here. It's free, it's public, and it tells you whether a Certificate of Qualification is active, suspended, or expired. If a tradesperson claims to be licensed in a compulsory trade, you can check it in under a minute.

Which Trades Are Compulsory in Ontario?

In Ontario, compulsory trades require a valid Certificate of Qualification to work legally. Non-compulsory trades have a certification pathway but don't legally require it to practise.

Compulsory trades where you should always verify credentials include:

For non-compulsory trades, certification is still a meaningful signal of competence. A painter or landscaper who has gone through the apprenticeship and certification process has demonstrated a level of commitment that an uncertified competitor may not have.

What This Means for Homeowners Hiring a Tradesperson

The practical upshot for homeowners is straightforward: the credential system is now more integrated, which means the data behind a tradesperson's certification is more current and more accessible.

Here's a practical checklist for any hire involving a compulsory trade:

No single check is sufficient on its own. A valid C of Q means a tradesperson passed a certifying exam — it doesn't speak to their customer service record, their business practices, or whether they carry adequate insurance. That's where layering multiple signals matters.

What This Means for Contractors and Tradespeople

If you're a licensed tradesperson or a contractor whose team includes certified journeypersons, the in-house exam system is an opportunity — not just an administrative change.

With more exam capacity and on-site delivery at over 100 TDA locations, the path from apprentice to journeyperson is faster and less dependent on geography. For contractors in smaller Ontario communities who previously had to send apprentices long distances to test centres, this is a meaningful improvement.

For your business, here's what to act on:

ProScore currently scores 16,400+ contractors across 880+ Ontario cities, drawing on 39,000+ reviews analyzed across 10+ data sources. Contractors with verified credentials and strong reputations tend to rank in the Elite or Trusted tiers — the profiles homeowners click first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify a tradesperson's Certificate of Qualification in Ontario?

Use the STO Public Register at skilledtradesontario.ca to search by name or registration number. The register shows whether a Certificate of Qualification in a compulsory trade is active, expired, or suspended. For electricians, also check the ESA licence database; for gas fitters, also check TSSA.

What is the difference between a Certificate of Apprenticeship and a Certificate of Qualification?

A Certificate of Apprenticeship confirms that an apprentice completed their training program. A Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) is issued to journeypersons who pass the certifying exam and is required to legally work in compulsory trades in Ontario. Journeypersons in compulsory trades must renew their C of Q annually.

Does passing the STO certifying exam mean a contractor is fully licensed to work in my home?

Not on its own. The STO certifying exam and Certificate of Qualification confirm trade competency and legal authorization to work in compulsory trades. Depending on the trade, additional licences may be required — such as an ESA licence for electricians or a TSSA licence for gas fitters. Contractors should also carry liability insurance and WSIB coverage. Always verify all relevant credentials before signing a contract.

For a broader look at how to evaluate any contractor before you hire, the ProScore Trust Index combines credential verification with reputation data, customer sentiment, and business transparency into a single score — so you're not piecing together multiple checks on your own.

Browse verified contractors across Ontario's trades and see how your next hire scores before you sign.