General questions about examinations and certification
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Where can I find the examination schedule?
TSSA examinations are proctored by our third-party partner Prometric. The computer-based exams will be written in person at Prometric testing centers. Once TSSA reviews your submission and confirms you are eligible to write, you will receive a confirmation email within 48 hours, along with instructions on how to schedule the exam directly through Prometric’s website. After you book your exam, Prometric will send you a confirmation email with all relevant details.
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How do I apply for an exam?
Candidates must submit an exam application through the TSSA Client Portal. TSSA will review the submission and, if you are eligible to write the exam, an eligibility email will be issued within 48 hours. Please note that response time may range from 10 to 15 business days for exams that require an assessment of your experience.
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How do I pay for an exam?
Exam requests for Fuels, Operating Engineers, Elevating Device Mechanics, Amusement Device Mechanic, Boilers & Pressure Vessels & Ski Lift Mechanics must be paid at the time of submission through the TSSA Client Portal. Once you have completed all the steps, you will receive a payment receipt via email. If you need help with portal payment, please call TSSA’s Customer Service Centre at 1-877-682-8772.
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How do I request a receipt for my exam prepayment?
After you have submitted and paid for your application, a payment receipt will be emailed to you. To request a receipt for examination and certification services, please call TSSA’s Customer Service Centre at 1-877-682-8772.
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When will I receive a response to be scheduled for an exam?
If you are eligible to write an exam, an eligibility email will be sent within 48 hours. Please note that response time may range from 10 to 15 business days for exams that require an assessment of your experience.
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How can I reschedule or cancel an exam?
Cancellation Requests:
Candidates can cancel the scheduled exam directly with Prometric. There is no charge for canceling 22 days prior to your scheduled examination date. If you cancel your examination less than 22 days prior to your scheduled exam date, you will forfeit your fee. Please visit Prometric to cancel the exam.
Rescheduling Requests:
Exam date: Candidates can reschedule an exam date directly with Prometric, it must be done 22 days prior to the scheduled exam date. Please visit Prometric to reschedule the exam. Only one reschedule is allowed.
Exam type: Applicable only to Operating Engineers
To change the type of exam a candidate is scheduled to write, you must contact the Examination and Certification Department at certandexams@tssa.org 22 days prior to the scheduled exam date. This will count as a reschedule, only one reschedule is allowed.
Read our Certification and Examination Preparation Guide to learn more.
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Where are exams held?
TSSA computer-based exams are held in person at one of Prometric’s testing centres.
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When will I receive my exam result?
Multiple Choice Results
Prometric will email the results to the candidate within 24 hours after completing the exam. TSSA will send a letter with the official result 48 to 72 hours after the exam date.
Essay Results
Essay results will be emailed to the candidate 10 to 15 business days from the date of the exam.
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When will I receive an exam mastery report?
Examination written with Prometric
Candidates who are unsuccessful on a multiple-choice examination will receive an individual score report that provides a breakdown of the examination module(s). Prometric will email the score report to you within 24 hours of the exam date.
Note: please check your junk or spam folder, as emails are occasionally filtered by email services (i.e., Gmail, Outlook, etc.).
Examination written with Training Providers
Candidates who are unsuccessful on a multiple-choice examination will receive an individual mastery report that provides a breakdown of the examination module(s). TSSA will send the mastery report to you by email within 3 to 4 weeks of the exam date. Due to the volume of requests, the examination team will not respond to email requests for mastery reports.
Note: please check your junk or spam folder, as emails from TSSA are occasionally filtered by email services (i.e., Gmail, Outlook, etc.).
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What are the required code books that I can use for my exam?
For a list of reference materials that you are permitted to bring to an exam, please review Section 8 of the TSSA Certification Examination Preparation Guide (pdf).
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Does TSSA provide study materials, guides, or practice exams?
No, TSSA does not provide these materials.
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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.
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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.
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How many attempts do I have when writing an Elevating, Amusement Devices, Fuels or Ski Lifts exam?
You are allowed to have a maximum of three exam attempts.
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How long is my formal approval to write an Elevating, Amusement Devices or Ski Lifts 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.
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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. For more information visit Out-of-Province Certificate Holders.