Red Seal endorsement: what it is and how to get it

What does the Red Seal show?

The Red Seal shows that you passed the Red Seal exam for your trade. It is not a licence to work. Your province or territory is responsible for certifying you in a trade.

With a valid endorsement, you can put RSE after your name on business cards and signatures. The apprenticeship authority that issued your Red Seal can confirm it for an employer.

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Which trades have a Red Seal?

Not every trade is a Red Seal trade. Canada has more than 50 Red Seal trades, and Alberta designates 39 of them. Check that your trade is on the Red Seal list before you plan for the exam.

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How does the exam work?

The exam is multiple-choice. Each question has four choices and one correct answer. You need 70% to pass, and you get four hours to write it.

Your province or territory runs the exam. Before you register, check these points with its apprenticeship office:

• Whether you qualify to write the exam. The rules can differ by trade, and between apprentices and experienced workers seeking certification.

• The exam fee. It varies by province and territory. The office tells you the cost when you register.

• The exam language. You can write it in English or French.

• Support for special needs during the exam. If you need it, ask well in advance.

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How do you study for it?

The Red Seal website has a self-assessment tool and sample questions for each trade. Use them to see which parts of the trade you need to study.

Real exam questions and answers are confidential. A site that says it has them is dishonest or breaking the law.

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How do you qualify to write it in Alberta?

Alberta sets out these routes to the Red Seal exam:

• Apprentice in a Red Seal trade: write the exam after you complete all requirements for Alberta journeyperson certification.

• Alberta Journeyperson, Qualification or Occupational Certificate in a Red Seal trade, but no seal yet: apply to write the exam at any time.

• Recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta in a Red Seal trade: apply to the Trades Qualifier - Recognized Credential program.

• Work experience in an Alberta-designated trade but no certificate: apply to the Trades Qualifier - Work Experience program. Alberta checks your experience and practical skills first.

Tried the exam two or more times? Then you need at least 40 hours of more study or upgrading. This applies to holders of an Alberta Journeyperson, Qualification or Occupational Certificate in a Red Seal trade. Submit a Training Plan with your application.

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What about B.C. and Ontario?

In B.C., experienced workers who want to get certified may be eligible to challenge their trade. Ask SkilledTradesBC whether you qualify. Your experience can come from B.C., elsewhere in Canada or another country.

In Ontario, you can only work in a compulsory trade as a registered apprentice or a certificate holder. The certificates are the Certificate of Qualification and the Provisional Certificate of Qualification. A non-compulsory trade has no such rule.

Other provinces and territories set their own exam rules. Check with your apprenticeship authority.

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What should you do next?

Before you book the exam:

• Check that your trade is a Red Seal trade.

• Ask your provincial or territorial apprenticeship office about exam requirements, fees and language.

• Use the self-assessment and sample questions for your trade.

• Never pay for copies of the real exam.

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