Regulated occupations include professions and trades that are regulated in order to protect the health and safety of the public. In Manitoba, there are 31 regulated professions under the Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act.
The Fair Registration Practices Office (FRPO) administers the Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act and ensures the registration practices of self-regulated professions in Manitoba are fair and transparent. The 31 self-regulated professions listed under the Act must ensure its members meet a high standard of professional practice. In doing so, they must also ensure that registration of professionals is fair, clear and well-defined. The FRPO provides oversight so all applicants receive fair consideration and registration decisions are transparent, objective, impartial and fair.
To practice a regulated occupation, you must apply for registration with the appropriate regulatory body or regulator. A regulator is a government-approved organization that governs a profession. Regulators are responsible for ensuring their members are qualified to provide safe and competent practice to the public. They assess applicant qualifications and grant eligible individuals the legal authority to practice their profession in Manitoba.
Regulated professions
While there are many regulated professions in Canada, the most common regulated professions in Manitoba are listed below.
For some professions, a fact sheet has been developed by the Province of Manitoba’s Immigration Division. Each fact sheet directs users to information, tools, and resources to help better understand the professional registration process in Manitoba.
Internationally educated professionals should contact the regulator for their profession directly to learn about the requirements for registration: the steps involved, application forms, a list of required documents, information on exams, fees, and other important information.
To learn about an occupation (available jobs, wages, career prospects, skills, job requirements, etc.) in Manitoba, visit Job Bank. Be sure to select Manitoba as your location.
Trades
There are over 55 designated trades in Manitoba. While trades are regulated occupations, only 9 trades have compulsory certification, meaning you must either be a registered apprentice or journeyperson to work in them:
| NOC 2021 Code | Trade | Trade Profile |
|---|---|---|
| 72200 | Construction Electrician | Link |
| 72500 | Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator | Link |
| 72201 | Industrial Electrician | Link |
| 72402 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic | Link |
| 72301 | Sprinkler Fitter | Link |
| 72301 | Steamfitter-Pipefitter | Link |
| 63211 | Electrologist | Link |
| 63211 | Esthetician | Link |
| 63210 | Hairstylist | Link |
To obtain journeyperson status in any of the 55+ designated trades in Manitoba, individuals must obtain a certificate of qualification (also referred to as “trades certification”). There are two paths to trades certification: through supervised training called apprenticeship; or, for experienced tradespeople, through challenging the trades qualification exam.
This is the three-step procedure for applying for a certificate of qualification in your trade:
- Determine if you have the work experience, training, knowledge and skills required to be eligible to write the qualification exam by reviewing the work experience form for your trade on the Apprenticeship Manitoba website.
- Submit to Apprenticeship Manitoba your trades qualification application (along with your completed work experience form, employer letter(s) and copies of previous trades certification) only if you meet all requirements to write the qualification exam in your trade.
- Wait for a reply from Apprenticeship Manitoba (application review typically takes about six weeks). Approval of your application means you are eligible to write the exam.
See the designated trades fact sheet for more information.
Non-regulated occupations
For non-regulated occupations, there are no set requirements and there is no legal requirement to obtain a licence. The employer will set the standards and could request registration with a professional association.