Manitoba Contractor License Requirements

The trade certifications for most contractors in Manitoba revolve around the Certification of Qualification, or C of Q in the designated categories. There are 50 such trades in the province of which 45 are eligible for the “Red Seal” program which entitled them to ply their trade in other provinces. For employers in other areas of the country the Interprovincial Standards Program, which oversees the “Red Seal” certification, assures them that the tradesperson they are getting has quality training and certification up to a national standard.

There are 4 building trades in Manitoba designated for a Certification of Qualification: Construction Electrician, Industrial Electrician and Refrigeration, Plumber & Air Conditioning Mechanic. The rest of the trades like plumber and carpenter do not need a government certification.

Plumber

Certification for plumbers is recommended but not compulsory for plumbers in Manitoba. Plumbers are responsible for the planning, installation, maintenance, inspection and repairing of plumbing systems, water fixtures and controls in residential, industrial and commercial buildings. Plumbing is one of the "piping trades" but can be a highly specialized vocation. There are a few different specialties. Construction plumbers install piping systems in new home builds whereas commercial and industrial plumbers are experts in retrofitting large pipe systems and valves, including the repair and maintenance of water and coolant systems and drains.

A commercial plumber might install restaurant kitchens, public bathrooms, sewage treatment depositories or a public water system. In addition they might work with residential and commercial hydronic heating or heating and cooling systems as well as natural and liquefied petroleum gas  systems.

Electrician

Whether in Churchill or Winnipeg, Manitoba, an electrician has to have a C of Q to work on electrical systems. Electricians install electrical wiring, assemble control devices and panels, test circuits, troubleshoot and repair old electrical circuits. These are all in relation to electrical equipment in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. An electrician job can be with electrical contractors and building maintenance departments or they can be self-employed.

To work as an electrician in Manitoba an electrician must be a either registered apprentice or a certified electrician. In addition the applicant has to be licensed issued under the Manitoba Electrician's Act.
An electrician who wants to work in two more provinces should attain the Interprovincial Trade Certification, or “Red Seal.”

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic

The job of a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic is to provide installation and upkeep for residential central air conditioning systems, commercial and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems. This includes heating, ventilation and cooling systems as well. A person with this trade qualification will install, repair and maintain these systems.

The refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic is usually employed by refrigeration and air conditioning contractors or companies, industrial maintenance departments, food wholesalers and engineering firms. There is a separate group called Transport Refrigeration Mechanics that deal with the temperature control on transport units such as tractor trailers and trains.

All refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics working in the province of Manitoba must have a Certification of Qualification (C of Q), a valid Manitoba Ozone Protection Industry Association (MOPIA) license and a Gas Fitter "B" License.

Gas Fitters

Manitoba requires that only registered contractors and licensed employees of contractors with gas registrations may install or work on a gas appliance or any gas works. In keeping with the rules in other provinces gas fitters are sorted into degrees of certification training. The Certification of Qualification for each is given a letter and includes installing gas fittings for kitchen remodeling and bathroom renovations where both gas-fired stoves and conventional water heaters and tankless systems are employed. A plumber can install the water in both kitchen and bathroom remodels but a gas fitter has to prepare and install the gas lines as well as test the system.

Gas Fitter “A”: This designation allows the gas fitter to install, repair and maintain commercial and industrial equipment

Gas Fitter “B”: A gas fitter holding this designation may install gas equipment for a single appliance that does not exceed 400,000 BTU per hour. This means that the total gas supplied to the installation point may exceed 400,000 BTU per hour however no single unit can be rated over 400,000 BTU per hour.

Gas Fitter “C”: This is a valid liquid petroleum gas fitter's and this person can install gas equipment using liquefied petroleum gas. The input to any single installation cannot exceed 125,000 BTU per hour.

Gas Fitter “F”: This designation allows the hookup and maintenance of oil burning equipment.

Sheet Metal Worker

A Certification of Qualification (C of Q) is required after an apprenticeship period for a sheet metal classification. This person is then allowed to plan, cut, assemble and install ventilation systems, furnace parts and other sheet metal products in many varying classifications. A “Red Seal” program is in effect for this trade as well.