Trades Qualifier- Recognized Credential Program Details

The Trades Qualifier - Recognized Credential program is for experienced tradespeople who hold a credential that is recognized by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) Board and who wish to obtain an Alberta journeyperson certificate.

Your application is valid for a maximum of 18 months from the assessment approval date, in which time you are expected to complete all of the program requirements for certification.

Note: If you previously attempted the Trades Qualifier - Recognized Credential program exam in the same trade and failed twice, a Training Plan must be completed and approved by AIT before the third and any subsequent attempt.

How to Apply for the Trades Qualifier - Recognized Credential Program

Trades Qualifier – Recognized Credential Application Process

See steps below for more detailed information.

Step 1: Apply Online for the Trades Qualifier – Recognized Credential program

A. Confirm your trade certificate is recognized in Alberta.

Ensure your recognized trade certificate is not expired and will not expire for a minimum of 6 weeks from the date of your application.

B. Apply Online for the Trades Qualifier – Recognized Credential program.

You will need a basic Alberta.ca Account and an Alberta Student Number to begin your application. Review step-by-step instructions here.
Upload and attach a clear copy of your trade certificate to your application.
Pay the non-refundable $60 (CAD) application fee.

Step 2: Application Verification

A. We review your application and verify your trade certificate with the issuing jurisdiction.

The status of your application indicates ‘assessment.’
Processing time is approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
If your recognized credential is from outside Canada, it may take longer.

B. You receive a letter with the results of our review through your MyTradesecrets profile.

Step 3: Application Status

A. Check on the status of your application.

Once we have reviewed your application and contacted your employers, you will receive a letter with the results of our review through your MyTradesecrets profile.

Your next steps will vary depending on your application status after our review.
Review the chart below to determine what you need to do next.

Application Status	Assessment Result Letter	Reassessment Result Letter	Final Result Letter
Approved	Continue to step 4.	Not applicable	Not applicable
Rejected	You have 30 days from the result letter date to upload new/additional information for reassessment.	You have 30 days from the result letter date to upload new/additional information for reassessment.	If new/additional information for reassessment is not verifiable and/or does not meet program requirements, you will receive an assessment result letter attached to your MTS profile.
Pending	Your new/additional information is being assessed/verified. Processing time may take up to 4 weeks. If your certificate is from outside of Canada, it may take longer.	Your new/additional information is being assessed/verified. Processing time may take up to 4 weeks. If your certificate is from outside of Canada, it may take longer.	Not applicable

Step 4A: Schedule Exam(s)

B. Complete your exam(s).

You are notified of the date, time, and location of your exam(s) through your MyTradesecrets profile after your application is approved (Step 3).

All trades require a theory exam, and some also require a practical exam.
If you are unable to attend your exam on the scheduled date, contact us at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled exam.
If you do not attend twice, and have not provided the required notice, your application is cancelled.
You are only permitted to reschedule your exam twice.
If your exam(s) was not automatically scheduled, review the next step in your assessment approval letter in your MyTradesecrets profile.

Visit our exam centre for resources to help you prepare for your exam(s).

Red Seal exams are available in both English and French.

All other exams are in English only.

Under limited conditions, you may be allowed to use an interpreter/reader during an examination.

For more information, contact AIT.

If you fail an exam twice, a completed training plan is required and must be approved before consideration of a third, and every subsequent attempt, at the exam.

This also pertains to any accumulated attempts at the Red Seal exam outside of Alberta, and any other exam attempts under previous applications in the same trade.

Step 4A: Exam Rewrite(s)

Step 4C: Application Result

If you complete all Trades Qualifier – Recognized Credential program requirements within 18 months, your journeyperson certificate and wallet card is mailed to you.

Make sure the address in your MyTradesecrets profile is accurate so you receive it!

If you have not satisfied all program requirements by 18 months, your application is cancelled, and you must:

apply with a new application,
pay the application fee, and
repeat Steps 1 through 4.

Any new application submitted must contain enough information/correspondence to meet the minimum requirements.

Information/correspondence submitted in any previous application(s) will not automatically be brought forward to the active application.