Skilled Trades Ontario (STO), the provincial agency responsible for managing apprenticeship and certification in Ontario, has announced it will begin delivering certifying exams in-house rather than through third-party provider Prometric.
The change comes in response to feedback from apprentices and employer sponsors who have called for increased exam capacity and a more reliable booking experience.
STO’s contract with Prometric concluded on January 31, 2026. Beginning February 1, 2026, STO assumed full responsibility for administering certifying exams across the province. Apprentices can now book any exam taking place on or after February 1, 2026, directly through the STO Portal (https://www.skilledtradesontario.ca/).
According to the organization, the transition is being coordinated to ensure continuity and minimize disruption. By bringing exam booking, delivery, and day-of support under one system, STO says it expects to increase capacity, improve booking reliability, and provide a more consistent exam-day experience provincewide.
The move is part of a broader strategy to streamline certification processes. Earlier this year, STO announced that certifying exams would be delivered at approximately 100 locations across Ontario, including at training sites. Expanding delivery locations is particularly significant for apprentices in rural and remote communities, who previously faced longer travel distances to write exams.
“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.
A review of the current delivery model concluded that in-house administration would better position STO to meet demand. The new approach will include offering exams at Training Delivery Agents (TDAs), allowing apprentices to write their certifying exams in the same environments where they completed their training.
Under the new system, STO will manage identity verification and onsite support directly, including at TDAs. While the transition is designed to be seamless, some apprentices may be rebooked to ensure smoother scheduling and consistent service quality. STO says it is contacting affected individuals directly.
Apprentices are advised to continue following the instructions outlined in their Authorization to Test Letter (ATTL) and to monitor official communications for updates.
Since assuming responsibility for certification and exam administration in April 2025, STO reports it has responded to more than 120,000 phone calls and 40,000 emails, administered over 6,000 certifying exams, expanded regional support across Ontario, introduced onsite exam delivery at Training Delivery Agents, and onboarded dedicated Group Account Coordinators to assist employers and training partners.
More information about STO certification exams is available at https://www.skilledtradesontario.ca/certification/.
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