Red Seal exam guide: format, booking, retakes and the challenge route
How the interprovincial Red Seal exam works, how to book it, what happens if you fail, how to study, and how experienced workers can challenge it.
Independent guide: TradeCareersHub.com is not part of the Red Seal Program or any government, and the Red Seal Program does not endorse any test preparation companies. Every number here comes from an official source listed at the end of the page. Rules change, so confirm with your apprenticeship authority.
Updated: Oct 2026. Fees and retake rules are set by each province and territory and change often; the examples below are what each official page said in October 2026.
Exam format
The Red Seal Exam Preparation Guide describes the exam this way:
- Multiple choice, with four options for each question.
- Pass mark: 70%.
- Time: 4 hours.
- The number of questions depends on the trade; among our 15 trades it ranges from 100 to 150.
- Exam supplies and a calculator are provided. You can't bring electronic devices.
- Questions avoid brand names and slang, so learn the proper names for tools and parts.
- Questions are built from the trade's Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS). A task is only tested if most provinces and territories (at least 70% of them) say their tradespeople do it.
Many trades also give you a list of formulas and acronyms at the exam; check your trade's exam information page. Skilled Trades Ontario says its Red Seal exams use the rsexam.ca online system, where you can practise with sample questions before exam day; your booking confirmation tells you whether your location delivers the exam online.
Questions by trade
From each trade's exam information page on red-seal.ca. Question types: knowledge and recall, procedural and application, and critical thinking.
| Trade | Questions | Recall | Procedural | Critical thinking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Electrician | 100 | 5–15% | 60–70% | 20–30% |
| Plumber | 125 | 15–25% | 60–70% | 10–20% |
| Carpenter | 100 | 5–15% | 75–85% | less than 10% |
| Welder | 125 | 40–50% | 35–45% | 10–20% |
| Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic | 125 | 20–30% | 50–60% | 10–20% |
| Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) | 135 | 30–40% | 40–50% | 20–30% |
| Heavy Duty Equipment Technician | 135 | 5–15% | 45–55% | 35–45% |
| Automotive Service Technician | 125 | 5–15% | 40–50% | 40–50% |
| Sheet Metal Worker | 120 | 20–30% | 60–70% | 5–15% |
| Steamfitter/Pipefitter | 130 | 35–45% | 45–55% | less than 10% |
| Ironworker (Generalist) | 120 | 30–40% | 45–55% | 10–20% |
| Boilermaker | 120 | 25–35% | 55–65% | 10–20% |
| Mobile Crane Operator | 110 | 15–25% | 60–70% | 10–20% |
| Cook | 150 | 30–40% | 55–65% | less than 10% |
| Hairstylist | 120 | 10–20% | 75–85% | less than 10% |
Who can write it
Your provincial or territorial apprenticeship authority decides whether you're eligible and runs the exam. Generally you qualify by finishing an apprenticeship, or as a trade qualifier with enough documented experience. See the list of apprenticeship authorities.
Booking
You book through your apprenticeship authority, not through the Red Seal Program. Two examples:
Ontario
Once you're eligible, pay the exam fee (listed as $150 + HST) in the Skilled Trades Ontario portal. You'll get an Authorization to Test letter, then you book a date and location in the portal. Ask for accommodations before you book. Skilled Trades Ontario: exam scheduling (opens in a new tab)
British Columbia
Schedule through the SkilledTradesBC portal, by phone or with the exam application form. SkilledTradesBC lists exams at 13 locations in B.C. SkilledTradesBC: exam rewrites (opens in a new tab)
Retakes
If you don't pass, the rules depend on where you write:
- Ontario: a mandatory 30-day wait, and you pay the exam fee again. (Skilled Trades Ontario (opens in a new tab))
- British Columbia: a 30-day wait between attempts. Apprentices can need a study plan for a third attempt and proof of upgrading for a fourth. Trade qualifiers are limited to four writes of the certification exam. (SkilledTradesBC (opens in a new tab))
- Quebec: no waiting period, but after two failures you must show proof that you've upgraded your skills. (Gouvernement du Québec (opens in a new tab))
- Elsewhere: ask your apprenticeship authority.
The challenge (trade qualifier) route
The Ellis Chart defines trade qualifiers as people who have experience working in the trade but have not completed an apprenticeship program in Canada. If your authority approves your experience, you can write the certification exam (the Red Seal exam in a Red Seal trade). The hours needed are listed for each trade on the Ellis Chart and on our trade pages.
- Ontario: apply for a Trade Equivalency Assessment ($235 + HST). You need verifiable evidence of skills and experience at least equal to the apprenticeship's total training time. (Skilled Trades Ontario: Trade Equivalency Assessment (opens in a new tab))
- British Columbia: apply to challenge the certification exam; the first attempt fee is listed as $120. (SkilledTradesBC: challenge a certification exam (opens in a new tab); fee from SkilledTradesBC: exam rewrites (opens in a new tab))
Expect to provide employer letters with dates, hours and the tasks you did. Start collecting them now; our hours tracker can help you keep your own record.
How to study
- Start with the RSOS for your trade; the exam is built from it.
- Use the exam breakdown on red-seal.ca to see how many questions come from each major work activity, and spend your time to match.
- Do the self-assessment on your trade's exam information page to find weak spots.
- Try the sample questions on red-seal.ca, and our free practice samples for four trades.
- Answer every question. The prep guide advises it, so don't leave blanks.
- Be careful with prep products. The Red Seal Program does not endorse any test preparation companies. That includes us: our practice questions are independent and aren't official exam questions.
FAQ
How many questions are on a Red Seal exam?
It depends on the trade. Of the 15 trades in our directory, exams range from 100 questions (Construction Electrician, Carpenter) to 150 (Cook). Each trade's exam information page on red-seal.ca gives the exact number.
What is the pass mark for the Red Seal exam?
70%, according to the Red Seal Exam Preparation Guide.
How long do I have to write the Red Seal exam?
The Red Seal Exam Preparation Guide gives 4 hours.
How do I book a Red Seal exam?
Through your provincial or territorial apprenticeship authority, which decides if you're eligible and runs the exam. In Ontario, for example, you book through the Skilled Trades Ontario portal after paying the exam fee.
What happens if I fail the Red Seal exam?
Retake rules are set by each province and territory. Skilled Trades Ontario has a 30-day wait and you pay the fee again; SkilledTradesBC has a 30-day wait and limits on attempts; Quebec has no wait but asks for proof of upgrading after two failures.
Can I challenge the Red Seal exam without an apprenticeship?
Often, yes, as a trade qualifier: someone who has worked in the trade but hasn't completed an apprenticeship in Canada. You must prove enough hours and skills to your apprenticeship authority first. The hours required are listed on the Ellis Chart for each trade.
Sources
- Red Seal Program — Red Seal Exam Preparation Guide (opens in a new tab)
- Ellis Chart — Interprovincial comparison of apprenticeship training (ellischart.ca) (opens in a new tab)
- Skilled Trades Ontario — Exam scheduling (opens in a new tab)
- Skilled Trades Ontario — Trade Equivalency Assessment (opens in a new tab)
- SkilledTradesBC — Exam rewrites (opens in a new tab)
- SkilledTradesBC — Challenge a certification exam (opens in a new tab)
- Gouvernement du Québec — Red Seal Program (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Construction Electrician exam information (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Plumber exam information (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Carpenter exam information (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Welder exam information (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic exam information (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) exam information (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Heavy Duty Equipment Technician exam information (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Automotive Service Technician exam information (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Sheet Metal Worker exam information (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Steamfitter/Pipefitter exam information (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Ironworker (Generalist) exam information (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Boilermaker exam information (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Mobile Crane Operator exam information (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Cook exam information (opens in a new tab)
- Red Seal Program — Hairstylist exam information (opens in a new tab)