Credentials issued by the ITA are listed here. If a certificate was issued recently, please allow two to three weeks for mailing. Apprentices please note: All apprenticeship certificates will be mailed to your sponsoring employer.

Types of Certifications

CERTIFICATE OF APPRENTICESHIP  (also known as ‘CofA’)
Issued upon completion of an apprenticeship. Currently all apprentices (except Gasfitters) are also issued a Certificate of Qualification upon apprenticeship completion. Historical apprentices may have only a CofA, depending on the program standard in the year of issue, and whether they opted to write the Certificate of Qualification exam.

CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION (also known as ‘CofQ’ or ‘TQ’ / ‘Trades Qualification’)
Issued to apprentices upon completion, and to individuals who have successfully challenged a Certificate of Qualification exam.

ENDORSEMENTS
Endorsements are attachments to Certificates of Qualification and/or Certificates of Apprenticeship that indicate a specific achievement or specialization. Endorsements each have a unique certificate number, but are not stand-alone credentials. An Interprovincial Red Seal endorsement indicates that a certified tradesworker has also passed their trade’s IP exam. Some trades have multiple program endorsements available that indicate a tradesworker is qualified in a specialty area within the trade.

Other Credentials

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION (also known as ‘CofC’)
A credential awarded by the ITA to trainees who have successfully completed the requirements of a Foundation Industry Training Program. A CofC typically grants the holder credit for the first level of apprenticeship technical training, and a standard (by trade) number of hours. Check your program transcript in the Registrations tab to see how these credits apply to your apprenticeship.

EQUIVALENCY (also known as ‘Sign Off Authority’)
A special identification number issued to a non-certified tradesworker by the ITA through a formal assessment of prior related work experience in a trade.  It is not a form of certification, but rather authorizes the holder to supervise and recommend apprentices for certification in the applicable trade.  Equivalency status is not to be considered comparable to an ITA trade certification, and is not recognized by any party other than the ITA.

EXEMPTION PERMITS
Exemptions were ITA-issued alternatives to certificates issued by BC during the mid 1990s to enable practicing tradesworkers to continue working legally when their trade became compulsory. The ITA no longer issues Exemption Permits, but tradesworkers holding one may sign-off apprentices in their trade.