Skilled Trades Ontario (STO), which manages the apprenticeship process in the province, has announced that it will begin delivering certifying exams in-house, rather than through the third-party provider Prometric.

The agency says that this is in direct response to feedback from apprentices and employer sponsors.

Apprentices can now book exams taking place on or after February 1, 2926 directly through the STO Portal.

STO’s contract with its Prometric will conclude on January 31, 2026. The transition will be coordinated to support continuity for apprentices.

STO will begin administering exams on February 1 — a change that increases capacity, improves booking reliability, and ensures a more consistent exam-day experience across Ontario.are delivered across the province, says the organization.

The announcements comes as part of an ongoing strategy to streamline the exam delivery process. Earlier this year the STO announced that certifying exams would be delivered at some 100 locations across the province, including at training locations, a significant shift particularly for apprentices working and studying in remote locations in the province.

“We’ve heard the feedback loud and clear. Apprentices and employer sponsors told us they want increased capacity and a reliable, streamlined exam experience. And that’s exactly why we’re making this change,” said Candice White, CEO of Skilled Trades Ontario.

The organization says a review of the current delivery model confirmed that in-house administration will allow Skilled Trades Ontario to better meet demand, improve booking reliability, and provide a more consistent exam-day experience for apprentices. This includes offering exams at Training Delivery Agents (TDAs), so apprentices can write where they learned.

Accordingly, starting now apprentices can book any exam taking place on or after February 1, 2026 directly through the STO Portal.

Starting February 1, 2026, STO becomes the direct administrator of certifying exams, bringing booking, delivery, and exam-day support under one system.

STO will manage identity verification and support for onsite delivery, including at Training Delivery Agents.

In thie transition, some apprentices may be rebooked to ensure smoother scheduling and consistent service quality. STO is contacting them directly.

Apprentices are advised to continue to follow the instructions in their Authorization to Test Letter (ATTL).

Since taking on responsibility for certification and exam administration in April 2025, STO has responded to more than 120,000 calls and 40,000 emails, administered over 6,000 certifying exams, expanded supports in each region of the province, introduced onsite exam delivery at Training Delivery Agents, and onboarded dedicated Group Account Coordinators to support employers and training partners.

Find out more about STO Certification Exams

The Great Canadian Aftermarket Podcast recently featured changes at Skilled Trades Ontario. Worth a listen!