Certification: Elevating Device Mechanic

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) administers the certification of occupations regulated under the Technical Safety and Standards Act, 2000. As a part of this mandate, TSSA provides certification and training services to elevating device mechanics to perform regulated work in Ontario.

The Elevating Device Mechanic Policies and Procedures (pdf) outline the requirements for certification of elevating device mechanics. This document includes important definitions, information on the different Skills Passports, and the rights, privileges, and obligations of a certificate holder. 

Before performing work on an elevating device, an elevating device mechanic must obtain one of the following certificates as specified in Ontario Regulations 222/01, Certification and Training of Elevating Device Mechanics.

Elevating Device Mechanic Certifications Offered by TSSA

• Elevating Device Mechanic Class A (EDM-A) – Elevating Device Mechanic
• Elevating Device Mechanic Class B (EDM-B) – Construction Hoist Mechanics
• Elevating Device Mechanic Class C (EDM-C) – Elevating Device Mechanic for owner/operators of elevating device equipment
• Elevating Device Mechanic Class D (EDM-D) – Elevating Device Cab Renovations
• Elevating Device Mechanic Class E (EDM-E) – Lifts for Persons with Physical Disabilities
• Elevating Device Mechanic Class F (EDM-F) — Elevating Device Inspector/Consultant
• Elevating Device Mechanic-In-Training Class T (EDM-T)

Depending on your job, you may need to be certified in more than one class. 

Skills Passports

All elevating device mechanics and mechanics-in-training must hold and maintain a Skills Passport for the scope of work they perform. Skills Passports are required for certification. It documents the experience and skills gained in specific areas of the elevating devices industry.  It also helps the supervising mechanics, inspectors, employers, and mechanics-in-training identify areas where further experience or training may be needed.

Skills Passports include:

• EDM-B Skills Passport (pdf)
• EDM-D Skills Passport (pdf)
• EDM-E Skills Passport (pdf)
• EDM-F Skills Passport (pdf)

EDM-A & EDM-C must obtain the Apprenticeship Training Standard Logbook from Skilled Trade Ontario. For more information, visit Skilled Trades Ontario. 

Certification and Examination

Applicants seeking certification as an Elevating Device Mechanic must complete a training program, many of which are offered by accredited training providers using a TSSA-approved curriculum. 

Certification for EDM-T

Elevating device mechanics-in-training or mechanics who are seeking EDM-T certification must follow the steps below:

Step 1: Attend Class

Complete a safety training workshop conducted by an accredited training provider of elevating device safety. 

Step 2: Apply through the TSSA Client Portal

Make the appropriate prepayment and provide a copy of your safety training certificate of completion.

Certification for EDM-A to EDM-F

Elevating device mechanics-in-training or mechanics who are seeking a higher certification classification, namely EDM-A, to EDM-F, must apply for assessment through the TSSA Client Portal and meet the mandatory certificate requirements listed in the table below:

Certificate Requirements

One year of practical or 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).

Step 1: Submit a request through the Client Portal: 

Under the ‘Applications’ section, select ‘Apply for Examination, Certification, or Training Provider Services and follow the steps.

Step 2: Attach detailed documentation 

Provide proof of work experience, including letters from current and/or previous employers on a company letterhead, signed by an authorized person of the company, verifying the nature of the work experience. 

Details must include, but are not limited to, specific periods where experience has been gained, specific types of elevating devices, and the nature of work performed (i.e., elevators or escalators, working in maintenance or construction, and in what capacity). 

If verification of work experience cannot be obtained from previous employer(s) or the applicant is the owner or contractor, TSSA’s Director will review and may accept a Notarized Statutory Declaration by a Notary Public or Commissioner for Taking Oaths. The original declaration must be submitted and include the above information. 

Step 3: Attach the Practical Skills or Experience Sign-Off Document (Skills Passport)

Attach a copy of the completed Skills Passport using the template provided by TSSA or Skilled Trades Ontario in the form published by the designated administrative authority. A Skills Passport that accurately reflects the experience and training acquired during the qualifying period must be completed by a current supervising mechanic. 

Step 4: Attach the In-Class or Theoretical Training

Applicants must submit a copy of the Certificate(s) of Completion for the In-Class or Theoretical Training relating to the certificate classification applied for. Transcripts are mandatory. 

Step 5: Attach the Certificate of Apprenticeship (EDM-A only)

Applicants must submit a copy of the Certificate of Apprenticeship issued by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. 

Step 6: Pay the fee as set out in the Fee Schedule

Applicants who follow the above procedure can expect a response from TSSA within 15 business days.

Certificate Renewal 

Every two years, all classes of elevating device mechanics must complete at least 12 hours of instruction from an accredited training provider. To renew certificates, certificate holders must upload proof of the completed continuing education certificate and pay the renewal invoice through the Client Portal before the certificate expires. 

A banner will be displayed in the Client Portal 60 days before the expiry of your current certificate, as a reminder to submit the continuing education certificate.

Proof of completion is mandatory to practice legally as a certified ED mechanic. For more information on the continuing education requirement, please read the Elevating Device Mechanic Policies and Procedures (pdf).

Certificate Reinstatement

Elevating device mechanics or mechanics-in-training must apply to reinstate an expired certificate if it has not been renewed within 12 months of its expiry. TSSA assesses all applicants individually. Applicants approved for reinstatement at the EDM-A through EDM-F levels will have to take a written examination to reinstate their certificate.

Reinstating Elevating Device Mechanics (EDM-A - EDM-F & EDM-T) certificates that have expired for more than 12 months 

Step 1: Submit a request through the Client Portal

Under the ‘Applications’ section, select ‘Apply for Examination, Certification, or Training Provider Services and follow the steps.

Step 2: Attach detailed documentation providing proof of work experience 

Include letters from current and/or previous employers on company letterhead, signed by an authorized person of the company, verifying the nature of the work experience. Details must include, but are not limited to, specific periods where experience has been gained, identifying specific types of elevating devices and the nature of work performed (i.e., elevators/escalators, working in maintenance or construction, and in what capacity).

If verification of work experience cannot be obtained from previous employer(s) or the applicant is the owner or contractor, TSSA’s Director will review and may accept a Notarized Statutory Declaration by a Notary Public or Commissioner for Taking Oaths. The original declaration must be submitted and include the above information. 

Step 3: Attach a copy of the completed Skills Passport using the template provided by TSSA or Skilled Trades Ontario. 

Step 4: Attach a copy of the Continuing Education Certificate of Completion

Step 5: Attach a copy of the Elevating Device Mechanic Safety Training Program Certificate of Completion (applicable only to EDM-T)

Applicants are required to produce a copy of the original safety training certificate and are not required to recomplete the Safety Training Program.

Step 6: Pay the assessment fee as set out in the Fee Schedule

Applicants who follow the above procedure can expect a response from TSSA within 15 business days.

Out-of-Province: Equivalent Certificate

Applying for a certificate from outside Ontario allows an individual certified for a specific occupation in one province or territory to be recognized for the equivalent certification in another province or territory without providing additional material training, experience, examinations, or assessments. Encouraging recognition of matched certification across Canada benefits both workers and employers alike.  For more information on recognized out-of-province equivalent certificates and how to apply, visit Out-of-Province Certificate Holders.

Out-of-Province: Applying without Recognized Equivalency

Applicants who have acquired work experience outside of Ontario may apply through the TSSA Client Portal for an Out-of-Province or Certificate Assessment to validate their credentials against TSSA’s standards. 

As outlined in Section 14 of the Elevating Device Mechanic Policies and Procedures (pdf), out-of-province applicants who have completed a training program in their home jurisdiction or those with existing qualifications in Ontario may apply for an Out-of-Province assessment. All documentation submitted for assessment must be translated into English by a certified translator, and the original, certified translated documents must be submitted.

Step 1: Submit a request through the Client Portal

Under the ‘Applications’ section, select ‘Apply for Examination, Certification or Training Provider Services’ and follow the steps.

Step 2: Attach detailed documentation providing proof of work experience

Include letters from current and/or previous employers on company letterhead, signed by an authorized person of the company, verifying the nature of the work experience. 

Details must include, but are not limited to, specific periods during which experience was gained, identifying specific types of elevating devices and the nature of work performed (i.e., elevators or escalators, working in maintenance or construction, and in what capacity). 

If verification of work experience cannot be obtained from the previous employer, or the applicant is the owner or contractor, TSSA’s Director will review and may accept a Notarized Statutory Declaration by a Notary Public or Commissioner for Taking Oaths. The original declaration must be submitted and include the above information. 

Step 3: Training Programs or Courses

Submit a list of detailed training programs or courses completed that relate to the certification classification applied for (i.e., EDM-A, EDM-F, etc.). Transcripts are mandatory. 

Step 4: Confirmation of Out-of-Province Certification

Submit copies of Out of Province Certification as appropriate. 

Step 5: Legislation

Submit copies of the appropriate legislation as it pertains to the scope of authorization or certification. 

Step 6: Pay the assessment fee per the Fee Schedule

Applicants who follow the above procedure can expect a response from TSSA within 15 business days.