FAQs: Examinations and Certification

General questions about examinations and certification

• Where can I find the examination schedule?

  Please refer to the Register for an Exam page for more information.

• How do I register for an exam?

  The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) issues Certificates of Qualification for individuals to legally work in TSSA’s regulated industries.

  In most instances, the completion of at least one certification examination is one of the pre-requisites for certification.

  Learn more about how to register for an exam.

  Important note: If you are registering for a Fuels Safety exam and have completed an Accredited Training Program, please ensure the training provider has submitted an Application for an Ontario Qualification. Please go to the TSSA Client Portal to submit an examination Request.  

• What do I need to know about examination procedures?

  Read our examination procedures to learn more.

• How do I pay for an exam?

  Examination requests for Fuels, Operating Engineers and Elevating Device Mechanics apply online through the TSSA Client Portal. 

  For Amusement Device Mechanic, Boilers & Pressure Vessels & elevating Device Mechanics - complete the examination application and submit through the Prepayment Portal. 

  Once you have completed all steps, you will receive a payment receipt via email.

  If you still need help walking through the portal payment, please call the TSSA Customer Service Centre at 1-877-682-8772.

• How do I request a receipt for my exam prepayment?

  To request a receipt for an examination and certification service, please visit the TSSA Client Portal.

• When will I receive a response to be scheduled for an exam?

  You will receive a response within approximately 10 business days.

• How can I reschedule or cancel an exam?

  To cancel or reschedule a booked examination, please contact examinationandcertification@tssa.org a minimum of 10 business days prior to the scheduled examination date. Read our examination procedures to learn more.

• Where are exams held?

  Technical Standards and Safety Authority (“TSSA”) and Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (“MLITSD”) examinations are held in various locations.
   

  View our examination locations to learn about address details, examination times, and other information you need to know about a particular location.

• I applied for an exam based on availability in the Examination Schedule. Why was I not scheduled for that date?

  Exams are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and we cannot guarantee the availability of the requested dates. 

  If you do not have a preferred date or your preferred dates are full, you may indicate on your application that you agree to be scheduled for the next available date. 

• Will more dates become available if an exam centre does not have availability?

  No, all available dates are listed in the current version of the examination schedule. If new dates are added in the future, the schedule will be updated.

• When will I receive my exam result?

  You can expect to receive a multiple-choice exam result within 15 business days. Please contact the TSSA Customer Service Centre at 1-877-682-8772, as the customer service team has access to the up-to-date exam results database.

  Note: Due to the volume of requests, the examinations team will not respond to email requests for exam results.

• When will I receive an exam mastery report?

  Candidates who have unsuccessfully completed a multiple-choice examination will receive an individual mastery report providing a breakdown of the examination module(s).

  TSSA will send the mastery report to you by email within 8 to 10 weeks of the examination date. Due to the volume of requests, the examinations team will not respond to email requests for mastery reports.

  Note: please check your junk/spam folder, as emails from TSSA are occasionally filtered by email services (i.e., Gmail, Outlook, etc.).

• What are the required code books that I can use for my exam?

  For a list of materials you are permitted to bring to an exam, please review Section 6 of the TSSA Certification Examination Preparation Guide (pdf).

• Does TSSA provide study materials, guides, or practice exams?

  No, TSSA does not provide these materials.

• I am writing an exam at a special sitting, held by my employer or accredited training provider. Will I receive a formal confirmation of the exam from TSSA?

  No, exam candidates are required to confirm exam arrangements with their employer or accredited training provider.

• Do I need approval to write an Elevating, Amusement Devices or Ski Lifts exam?

  Yes, you need formal approval from TSSA before you can book one of these exams. If you are approved, you will receive a letter from TSSA stating so.

• How many attempts do I have when writing an Elevating, Amusement Devices or Ski Lifts exam?

  You are allowed a maximum of three exam attempts.

• How long is my formal approval to write an exam valid for?

  The approval to write an exam is valid for 12 months from the date on the approval letter. If your approval expires, you will be required to submit a new application and all pre-requisite information to TSSA.

• What is labour mobility, and how do I apply?

  Labour mobility allows an individual certified for a specific occupation in one province or territory to be recognized for the same or matched certification in another province or territory without additional material training, experience, examinations, or assessments.

  If you are certified in a matched jurisdiction and would like to apply for labour mobility, complete these steps:

  For Fuels, Operating Engineer and Elevating Devices:

  1. Apply online through the TSSA Client Portal. 

  2. Attach with your submission proof of valid and current standardized certification issued by a matched jurisdiction or regulatory authority. A colour copy of your standardized certificate must be submitted with the application.

  3. Pay the application fee as per the Fee Schedule (assessment fee, examination fee, certification application fee)

  You can expect a response from TSSA within 15 business days.

  For Amusement Device and Ski Lift Mechanics:

  1. Complete the application found on the program pages Amusement Devices, Ski Lift and apply online through the Prepayment Portal. 

  2. Attach with your submission, proof of valid and current standardized certification issued by a matched jurisdiction or regulatory authority. A colour copy of your standardized certificate must be submitted with the application. 

  3. Pay the application fee as per the Fee Schedule (assessment fee, examination fee, certification application fee). 

  You can expect a response from TSSA within 15 business days. 

  Please note: For additional Fuels-specific details on labour mobility, see "How do I apply for labour mobility as a Fuels-related Technician?" lower on this page. 

   

Questions about Elevating Device certification

• How do I apply for an EDM-T (“Elevating Device Mechanic-In-Training”)

  To apply for an EDM-T certification:

  • Attend and complete a Safety Training Workshop conducted by an Accredited Elevating Device Safety Training Provider.

  • Apply online through the TSSA Client Portal with the appropriate prepayment and a copy of your safety training certificate of completion.

• How do I apply for an EDM-A, EDM-B, EDM-F, etc.?

  Elevating device mechanics-in-training or mechanics who are seeking a higher certification classification (e.g., EDM-A, EDM-F, etc.) are required to submit an application for assessment. Please apply online through the TSSA Client Portal. 

  What are the training and practical experience requirements for EDM certification?

  In order to obtain a certificate of qualification (a “certificate”) from the TSSA as an Elevating Device Mechanic, you must have the mandatory certificate requirements listed in the table below:

  CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
  Certificate Classification	In-Class/Theoretical Training	Practical/Demonstrated Skills	Examination	Skills Passport
  EDM-A	720 hours	4 years	FV*	Required
  EDM-B	274 hours	2 years	CV**	Required
  EDM-C	669 hours	4 years	CV	Required
  EDM-CE	633 hours	4 years	CV	Required
  EDM-CM	417 hours	4 years	CV	Required
  EDM-D	133.5 hours	2 years	CV	Required
  EDM-E	376 hours	1 year	CV	Required
  EDM-F	118 hours	1 year	CV	Required
  EDM-BH	157.25 hours	1 year	CV	Required
  EDM-VC	518 hours	2 years	CV	Required

  One year of practical/demonstrated skills is equivalent to 2000 hours.

  *FV: Full Version of Provincial Knowledge Examination

  **CV: Class Specific Version of Provincial Knowledge Examination
   

  For more information, please refer to Elevating Device Mechanic Policies and Procedures (pdf).

Questions about Operating Engineer/Operator Certification

• How long are my passed exams valid for?

  Operating Engineer/Operator exams are valid for a period of five years from the date the exam was written. For example, if you passed an exam on January 15, 2020, your certification would be valid until January 15, 2025.

• How long is my certificate valid for?

  An Initial/New Operating Engineer/Operator certificate is valid for one year and expires on your date of birth. Renewal Certificates are valid for one year and expires on your date of birth.

Questions about Fuels Safety Certification

• How do I achieve a higher-level certificate (e.g., G.2, OBT-2, etc.)?

  Generally speaking, candidates for higher-level certificates must have a combination of required training and experience and a valid certificate of qualification.

  For more detailed information on the prerequisites for specific certificates, see Section 6 of the Gas and Oil Burner Technician Policies and Procedures (pdf).

• I received advanced notice of my exam results. When will I receive my Fuels Safety Certificate?

  You may expect your Fuels Safety Certificate within 10 to 12 weeks from the exam date.

• How do I request an extension for a full program practical assessment that has exceeded or will exceed 12 months?

  Before the expiry date, please email certandexams@tssa.org and request a formal extension for your practical assessment. Please reference your service request number and identify the extenuating circumstances for your request. Extensions will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Request for an extension must come directly from the examination candidate, not a third party.

  Requests for extension received after the date your practical assessment expires will not be accepted.

   

• How do I request an extension for a challenge approval that will exceed 12 months?

  Please contact the Training and Certification Advisor listed on your approval letter to request a formal extension for your practical assessment. Do this before the expiry date.

  Please reference your work order number and identify the extenuating circumstances for your request. Extensions will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

• What is the challenge process?

  A candidate for certification can seek exemption from attending some or all training by challenging the examination for a certificate.

  Challenge examinations will be based on theoretical and practical knowledge.

  Upon successful completion of the challenge exam a challenge candidate must complete a practical skills assessment conducted by a TSSA Training and Certification Advisor.

  For more information, review section 7 of the Gas and Oil Burner Technician Policies and Procedures (pdf).

• How do I book a practical assessment to complete the challenge process?

  Once you have passed your exam and the results have been processed, TSSA will send you an email that provides information on the practical assessment process. This email will include contact information for a TSSA Training and Certification (T&C) Advisor.

  Once you receive this email, please contact the T&C advisor to schedule your practical date and location.

• How do I challenge a higher-level certificate?

  Please refer to Challenge Certificate Assessment for a Higher Category (pdf) for more information.

• How do I apply to reinstate a certificate?

  If you have failed to renew your certificate after it has been expired for twelve months, it will be cancelled. If you wish to become certified again, you may apply for reinstatement to see if you are eligible to forego the theoretical exam and practical assessment. In certain circumstances you may be required to begin the process of certification from the lowest level.

  For more detailed information on the reinstatement process, see Section 9 of the Gas and Oil Burner Technician Policies and Procedures (pdf).

• How do I apply for labour mobility as a Fuels Safety Professional?

  Out-of-province applicants who have completed training in their home jurisdiction, or those with existing qualifications in Ontario, may apply online through the TSSA Client Portal.