Challenge Your Certification Exam and Become a Red Seal Holder
Have extensive trade experience? Skip the traditional apprenticeship and get fully certified by challenging the certification exam. We’ll help you prepare and succeed.
What is Challenging a Certification Exam?
If you have extensive hands-on experience in your trade, SkilledTradesBC allows you to challenge the certification exam and earn your Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal endorsement—without going through the traditional 4-year apprenticeship program. This is the fastest route to becoming a fully certified journeyperson in British Columbia.
This is for experienced tradespeople: If you've been working in your trade for several years and can demonstrate comprehensive knowledge across all aspects of the trade, this pathway lets you prove your competency and get certified immediately.
Why Challenge the Certification Exam?
Skip Years of Training
Traditional apprenticeships take 4+ years. Challenging lets you get certified in months if you already have the experience and knowledge.
Full Red Seal Certification
Earn your Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal endorsement—the highest credential recognized across all of Canada.
Higher Earning Potential
Certified journeypersons command significantly higher wages and have access to better job opportunities and leadership roles.
Am I Eligible to Challenge the Certification Exam?
You may be eligible if you can demonstrate extensive, verifiable work experience across the full scope of your trade. Here's what SkilledTradesBC requires:
Extensive Work Experience
You must have satisfied the minimum required hours and demonstrated competency across the full scope of job tasks for your trade. Requirements vary by trade—typically 7,000-9,000 hours of hands-on experience covering diverse work situations (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.).
Verifiable References
Your direct supervisors or certified journeypersons must be able to verify your work experience via phone. Employer declaration forms must be completed by supervisors who can confirm your competency in all required job tasks.
Ability to Complete Within 24 Months
Once approved, you must complete all program requirements including written exam(s) and practical assessments (if applicable) within 24 months of approval.
International Experience Welcome: Work experience from outside Canada is accepted, but processing may take longer as SkilledTradesBC verifies your credentials and references.
How to Challenge Your Certification Exam
Research Your Trade Requirements
Visit SkilledTradesBC's Find Your Trade page. Search for your trade and scroll to the "Challenge the Trade" section to review specific requirements, minimum hours, job task percentages, and any prerequisite credentials.
Gather Your Documentation
Collect proof of your work experience including:
- Employment records with dates and hours worked
- Contact information for direct supervisors/references
- Any existing trade certifications or credentials
- Detailed job task breakdown showing comprehensive experience
Prepare for Success
This is where Imperial Skills Academy helps! Before you apply, maximize your chances of approval and passing by:
✓ Refreshing your knowledge of Canadian codes and standards
✓ Filling any gaps in your trade knowledge
✓ Practicing exam-style questions and scenarios
✓ Learning test-taking strategies from Red Seal instructors
✓ Building confidence before the official exam
Submit Your Application
Apply online through the SkilledTradesBC Portal (fastest method) or submit PDF forms to Customer Service. Include completed employer declaration forms for each period of work experience. Pay the applicable application fee.
Application Review (6-8 Weeks)
SkilledTradesBC will review your application and verify your work experience by contacting your references. Processing typically takes 6-8 weeks, though international experience may require additional time. You'll receive an email with approval or denial along with next steps.
Schedule & Pass Your Exams
Once approved, contact SkilledTradesBC Customer Service to schedule your written certification exam. Some trades also require a practical assessment. You have 24 months from approval to complete all requirements.
Receive Your Red Seal Certification
After passing all requirements, your Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal endorsement will be mailed to you. Congratulations—you're now a certified journeyperson recognized across Canada!
Not Ready for Full Certification Yet?
If you have some trade experience but don't yet meet the requirements for certification, you can challenge individual level exams instead. This allows you to enter the apprenticeship program at a higher level based on your current experience.
Level 1 Challenge
1,800 hours
(~1 year experience)
Level 2 Challenge
3,600 hours
(~2-3 years experience)
Level 3 Challenge
5,400 hours
(~3-5 years experience)
Level challenges have no fees and let you skip ahead in the apprenticeship system. After passing all levels, you'll eventually take the certification exam.
Learn About Level Challenge ExamsImportant Things to Know
Application Fee Required
Unlike level exams, certification challenges require an application fee. Check the SkilledTradesBC fee schedule for your trade.
24-Month Window
Once approved, you have 24 months to complete all written and practical exams before your approval expires.
International Experience Accepted
Work experience from outside Canada counts! Processing may take longer for verification of international credentials.
How We Help You Pass the Certification Exam
Challenging the certification exam is a major step—and you only get one shot to prove your competency. Our intensive programs ensure you're fully prepared to pass the first time.
✓ Canadian Code Mastery
Deep dive into BC electrical codes, safety regulations, and Canadian standards that will be heavily tested on the exam.
✓ Red Seal Certified Instructors
Learn from journeypersons who have taken and passed the Red Seal exam themselves—they know exactly what's tested.
✓ Fill Knowledge Gaps
Even experienced tradespeople have gaps. We identify and address weak areas before you sit for the official exam.
✓ Hands-On Practice
Practical sessions reinforce theory and prepare you for any hands-on practical assessments your trade requires.
✓ Exam Strategy & Format
Test-taking strategies, time management, and understanding the question formats used in certification exams.
✓ Blueprint Reading
Master the ability to interpret Canadian blueprints and technical drawings—a critical skill tested on the exam.
💡 Especially Valuable for Internationally Trained Tradespeople
If you learned your trade outside Canada, our programs bridge the gap between international practices and Canadian standards. We help you understand BC-specific regulations, metric-to-imperial conversions, local code requirements, and workplace culture—all the nuances that can make or break your certification exam.
Complete Step-by-Step Application Guide
Follow this detailed walkthrough to register on the SkilledTradesBC Portal and submit your certification exam application successfully.
📝 Phase 1: Create Your SkilledTradesBC Portal Account
Navigate to the SkilledTradesBC Portal
Go to https://portal.skilledtradesbc.ca/ and click on the "Register" button.
Select Your Registration Type
On the registration page, select:
✓ "I want to become certified / I want to be a Trade Qualifier / I want to be an Uncertified Experienced Worker"
Then click "Proceed".
Fill Out Registration Form
Complete all required fields including:
- First Name and Last Name
- Email Address (use an email you check regularly)
- Date of Birth
- Phone Number
- Create a strong password (at least 8 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters)
Click "Register" to continue.
Accept Terms and Conditions
Read the Terms and Conditions, check the box "I agree to these terms and conditions," and click "I Agree".
Verify Your Email
You'll receive a confirmation email with an activation link. Check your inbox (and spam folder if needed). Click the activation link to validate your account.
✓ Account Created! You can now log in to the portal and start your application.
📋 Phase 2: Submit Your Trade Qualifier Application
Start Your Application
Log into the portal and click on "Application" in the left-hand menu. Then click "Create New Application" to begin your Trade Qualifier application.
Select Your Trade
On the Contact Information page, confirm your personal details are correct. Then select the specific trade you're applying to challenge (e.g., Construction Electrician, Plumber, Carpenter).
Note: You can only have one application per trade in progress at a time.
Click "Next" to continue.
Document Your Work Experience
This is the most important part of your application. For each period of employment, you'll need to provide:
- Employer name and address
- Supervisor's name and contact phone number (must be reachable)
- Employment dates (start and end)
- Total hours worked in the trade
- Detailed job tasks performed (be specific about what you did)
- Percentage of time spent on different aspects of the trade
Click "+ Create" to add each work experience entry. Add all relevant positions that demonstrate the full scope of your trade experience.
Upload Employer Declaration Forms
For each period of work experience, you must submit a completed and signed declaration form:
Employer Declaration Form: Completed by your direct supervisor or employer
Statutory Declaration Form: Used if you're self-employed or have special circumstances
Download the appropriate form from the link provided on the Work Experience Summary page. Have your supervisor/employer complete and sign it, then upload the signed document to your application.
Critical: All documents must be in English. Forms must be properly signed. SkilledTradesBC will call your references to verify!
Pay the Application Fee
On the Payment Information page, you'll be prompted to pay the $120 application fee.
💳 Payment Methods: VISA or MasterCard (credit cards only, VISA debit not accepted)
Complete payment through the secure portal, then click "Next".
Review and Submit
On the Submission and Signature page, you'll need to:
- Review all information for accuracy
- Check all consent boxes
- Confirm your Trade Qualifier application
Click "Submit" to send your application.
✓ Application Submitted! You'll be redirected to your application page where you can track your status and add comments if needed.
⏳ Phase 3: Application Review & Next Steps
📅 Processing Timeline
weeks
Standard Processing Time
weeks
International Experience
During this time, SkilledTradesBC will:
- Review your application package
- Verify your work experience by calling your references/supervisors
- Determine if you have the necessary experience to challenge the certification
✅ If Your Application is Approved
You'll receive an approval email with your next steps:
- Log into the Portal and navigate to "Exam Booking"
- Schedule your certification exam (and practical assessment if required)
- You have 24 months from approval to complete all requirements
- Prepare for your exam using study resources and/or Imperial Skills Academy prep courses
- Pass your exam with 70% or higher (maximum 4 attempts allowed)
💡
❌ If Your Application is Denied
You'll receive an email outlining:
- Specific reasons for denial (e.g., insufficient hours, missing job tasks, unreachable references)
- Steps to meet outstanding requirements
- Options to reapply once you've addressed the gaps
Alternative Path: Consider challenging level exams instead if you don't yet meet full certification requirements. This lets you enter the apprenticeship system at a higher level.
💡 Tips for a Successful Application
📞 Verify References First
Before submitting, confirm your supervisors' phone numbers are current and let them know SkilledTradesBC will call to verify your experience.
📝 Be Detailed
Document ALL relevant work experience. Include diverse job tasks (residential, commercial, industrial) to show comprehensive trade knowledge.
🌐 Translate Documents
All documents must be in English. Get official translations for international work records, certificates, and declaration forms.
⏰ Don't Rush
Take time to complete your application thoroughly. Incomplete or rushed applications get denied and delay your certification journey.
📧 Check Your Email
Monitor your email regularly (including spam) for updates from SkilledTradesBC. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information.
🎓 Prepare Early
Start exam preparation before you even apply. Once approved, you'll want to book and pass your exam quickly to maintain momentum.
⚠️ Common Mistakes That Lead to Denial
- Unreachable references: Phone numbers are disconnected or supervisors don't remember you
- Incomplete job task coverage: Missing significant areas of the trade (e.g., only residential, no commercial experience)
- Insufficient hours: Not meeting the minimum required hours for comprehensive trade experience
- Missing or incomplete declaration forms: Unsigned forms or forms not properly filled out
- Vague work descriptions: Not being specific enough about actual tasks performed
- Self-employment without proper documentation: Lacking statutory declarations or proof of work
- International credentials not verified: No proper translation or verification of foreign experience
📊 Quick Reference: Full Timeline
Total Time: Approximately 3-6 months from application to certification (if well-prepared)
Need Help with Your Application or Exam Prep?
At Imperial Skills Academy, we help students navigate the entire process—from understanding requirements to passing the certification exam. Our instructors have gone through this exact process and can guide you every step of the way.
We Can Help You With:
✓ Understanding eligibility requirements
✓ Documenting your work experience
✓ Preparing employer declarations
✓ Comprehensive exam preparation
✓ Canadian code & standards training
✓ Practice exams & test strategies
Imperial Skills Academy | Burnaby, Vancouver, BC
Helping tradespeople achieve Red Seal certification since day one
