Exam scheduling

Important Update to Certifying Exams

Skilled Trades Ontario will begin delivering certifying exams in-house on February 1, 2026. Here’s what you need to know about this change.

• If your exam is scheduled before February 1, there is no change.
• If your exam is scheduled on or after February 1, the location where you are writing has changed. STO will contact you directly to rebook your appointment, or you may do so directly through the STO Portal. Please monitor your email and voicemail.

• You can continue to follow the steps on this page to confirm eligibility, receive your Authorization-to-Test Letter, and book with our current scheduling system.

If you have questions about booking or rescheduling, contact the Skilled Trades Ontario Client Services Centre:

647-847-3000 or 1-855-299-0028 (Ontario only), Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST.

Info@skilledtradesontario.ca

Additional updates will be shared here. Please review the full information on exam scheduling below.

To schedule a certifying exam for your trade:

1. Confirm your eligibility to take a certifying exam
2. Pay your exam fee of $150 + HST.
   

   Contact Skilled Trades Ontario to make your payment at 647-847-3000, or Toll Free in Ontario at 1-855-299-0028. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST.
3. Receive your Authorization to Test Letter from Skilled Trades Ontario.

   After payment, you will receive an Authorization to Test Letter by email (or mail if you do not have email access). This letter is essential:

   • It includes your Eligibility Number (required to schedule your exam)
   • It provides exam scheduling instructions
   • You must bring a printed copy of the letter on exam day
   • Each letter and Eligibility Number is unique to each exam attempt

   Request exam accommodations

   If you need an accommodation for your exam, you must submit a request before scheduling your exam. To meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and to maintain exam integrity, accommodation requests must include formal supporting documentation from a qualified healthcare professional.

   Accommodation requests submitted without the required documentation cannot be approved.

   Required Supporting Documentation

   Documentation should be recent and signed, and must:

   • describe the nature of the disability, and
   • explain the specific accommodations being recommended.

   Language Accommodations:

   • Exams are available in English or French only. Candidates must write the exam in one of these languages.
   • The use of an interpreter or translator must be requested as an accommodation and must be supported by relevant medical documentation from a qualified healthcare professional.
   • Candidates must receive prior approval from STO to use their own foreign language dictionary.
   • Dictionaries must:
     • be word-to-word translation only, and
     • not contain any markings within.

     All dictionaries will be inspected before and after the exam.

   • English and French word-to-word dictionaries are available at all exam locations.
   • Dictionaries with definitions are not permitted.

   Email: accommodations@skilledtradesontario.ca

   Phone: 647-847-3000, or Toll Free in Ontario at 1-855-299-0028.

   Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST.

4. Schedule your exam

   Use our online booking system to schedule your exam at your convenience. Follow the instructions from your Authorization to Test Letter.

5. Receive your exam results

   Skilled Trades Ontario will provide your results and outline your next steps once your exam is completed.

   Please note: There is a 30-day mandatory waiting period between exam attempts.

Required extra steps for Red Seal exams

If you are a Red Seal exam candidate, you MUST follow a few extra steps to get ready for your online exam at rsexam.ca.

If these steps are not done, you can’t write your exam, and you may lose the fee.

What to do:

1. Check your email
   • 14 days before your scheduled exam, an email will come from ccda.alerts@gmail.ca.
   • Look in your junk or spam folder too.
2. Reset your password
   • You must reset your password within 72 hours.
   • Passwords are case sensitive (uppercase and lowercase letters matter).
   • If the 72 hours pass, call Skilled Trades Ontario right away.
3. Log off before exam day
   • You can only access your exam from one device. If you’re still logged in on a personal device, the exam won’t launch at the test centre.
   • Log off the Red Seal site on your home device before you go to your exam – closing the web browser is not enough.
4. Bring these to your exam:
   • Your Authorization to Test Letter
   • Your Red Seal password
   • Your photo ID

For full details, read the Red Seal Exam Tip Sheet.

Reschedule/cancel/no show policy (all candidates)

If you cancel or reschedule:

• 1 or more days before your appointment – No charge, and you can continue to use your existing Authorization to Test letter and Exam Eligibility Number.
• On the day of your appointment – You may forfeit your exam fee. You must contact STO to receive a new Authorization to Test letter and Exam Eligibility Number so you can reschedule.

Exam resources

Prepare for your exam.