Red Seal exam format
One table for every trade in this check. The national preparation guide says: the Red Seal exam has a pass mark of 70%, and the writing time is four hours. Last checked 15 October 2026.
Red Seal exam preparation guide
| Trade | Questions | Time | Pass mark | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 309A Construction Electrician | 100 multiple-choice questions, on the Construction Electrician Red Seal exam. | 4 hours | 70% | Open guide |
| 306A Plumber | 125 multiple-choice questions, on the Plumber Red Seal exam. | 4 hours | 70% | Open guide |
| 433A Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) | 135 multiple-choice questions, on the Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) Red Seal exam. | 4 hours | 70% | Open guide |
| 421A Heavy Duty Equipment Technician | 135 multiple-choice questions, on the Heavy Duty Equipment Technician Red Seal exam. | 4 hours | 70% | Open guide |
| 310S Automotive Service Technician | 125 multiple-choice questions, on the Automotive Service Technician Red Seal exam. | 4 hours | 70% | Format only |
| 403A Carpenter | 100 multiple-choice questions, on the Carpenter Red Seal exam. | 4 hours | 70% | Format only |
| 307A Steamfitter / Pipefitter | 130 multiple-choice questions, on the Steamfitter/Pipefitter Red Seal exam. | 4 hours | 70% | Format only |
| 308A Sheet Metal Worker | 120 multiple-choice questions, on the Sheet Metal Worker Red Seal exam. | 4 hours | 70% | Format only |
| 442A Industrial Electrician | 100 multiple-choice questions, on the Industrial Electrician Red Seal exam. | 4 hours | 70% | Format only |
| G3 Gas Technician 3 Ontario TSSA. Not a Red Seal exam. Exam preparation guide | TO-CONFIRM TSSA does not publish a fixed question count for Gas Technician 3 (G3). Its guide states only that typical exams range from 50 to 165 questions depending on the certificate type. | Up to 3.5 hours (210 minutes) for the Gas Technician 3 (G3) written exam. | 75 percent, the Fuels program area passing grade, applies to the Gas Technician 3 (G3) exam. | Open guide |
| G2 Gas Technician 2 Ontario TSSA. Not a Red Seal exam. Exam preparation guide | TO-CONFIRM TSSA does not publish a fixed question count for Gas Technician 2 (G2). Its guide states only that typical exams range from 50 to 165 questions depending on the certificate type. | Up to 3.5 hours (210 minutes) for the Gas Technician 2 (G2) written exam. | 75 percent, the Fuels program area passing grade, applies to the Gas Technician 2 (G2) exam. | Open guide |
Question counts by block, from each exam information page. This page does not name an occupational-standard year.
A Performs common occupational skills 11; B Installs, services and maintains generating, distribution and service systems 28; C Installs, services and maintains wiring systems 30; D Installs, services and maintains motors and control systems 21; E Installs, services and maintains signalling and communication systems 10.
Knowledge and recall 5 to 15 percent, procedural and application 60 to 70 percent, critical thinking 20 to 30 percent.
A Performs common occupational skills 14; B Prepares and assembles tube, tubing and pipe 13; C Installs, tests and services sewers, sewage treatment systems and drainage, waste and vent (DWV) systems 32; D Installs, tests and services water service and distribution 24; E Installs, tests and services fixtures, appliances and water treatment systems 17; F Installs, tests and services low-pressure steam and hydronic systems 16; G Installs, tests and services specialized systems 9.
Knowledge and recall 15 to 25 percent, procedural and application 60 to 70 percent, critical thinking 10 to 20 percent.
A Performs common occupational skills 25; B Performs rigging, hoisting/lifting and moving 17; C Services mechanical power transmission components and systems 32; D Services material handling / process systems 24; E Services fluid power systems 21; F Performs preventative and predictive maintenance, commissioning and decommissioning 16.
Knowledge and recall 30 to 40 percent, procedural and application 40 to 50 percent, critical thinking 20 to 30 percent.
A Performs common occupational skills 10; B Services, diagnoses and repairs engines and supporting systems 20; C Services, diagnoses and repairs steering, suspension, brake and undercarriage systems, and wheel assemblies 16; D Services, diagnoses and repairs electrical and electronic systems 25; E Services, diagnoses and repairs drivetrain systems 17; F Services, diagnoses and repairs environmental control systems 9; G Services, diagnoses and repairs hydraulic, hydrostatic and pneumatic systems 25; H Services, diagnoses and repairs structural components, operator stations, attachments and accessories 9; I Services, diagnoses and repairs hybrid and all-electric equipment 4.
Knowledge and recall 5 to 15 percent, procedural and application 45 to 55 percent, critical thinking 35 to 45 percent.
A Performs Common Occupational Skills 9; B Diagnoses and repairs engine and engine support systems 22; C Diagnoses and repairs vehicle module communications systems 12; D Diagnoses and repairs driveline systems 17; E Diagnoses and repairs electrical and comfort control systems 23; F Diagnoses and repairs steering and suspension, braking, control systems, tires, hubs and wheel bearings 23; G Diagnoses and repairs restraint systems, body components, accessories and trim 10; H Diagnoses and repairs hybrid and electric vehicles (EV) systems 9.
Knowledge and recall 5 to 15 percent, procedural and application 40 to 50 percent, critical thinking 40 to 50 percent.
A Performs common occupational skills 12; B Performs planning and layout 14; C Performs concrete work 16; D Performs framing 20; E Performs exterior finishing 14; F Performs interior finishing 14; G Performs renovations 10.
Knowledge and recall 5 to 15 percent, procedural and application 75 to 85 percent, critical thinking less than 10 percent.
A Performs common occupational skills 16; B Performs layout, fabrication and piping installation 29; C Performs rigging, hoisting, lifting and positioning 15; D Installs, tests, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs low and high pressure steam and condensate systems 24; E Installs, tests, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs heating, cooling and process piping systems 27; F Installs, tests, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs renewable energy systems 8; G Performs commissioning, start-up and turnover 11.
Knowledge and recall 35 to 45 percent, procedural and application 45 to 55 percent, critical thinking less than 10 percent.
A Performs common occupational skills 24; B Performs fabrication 38; C Installs air and material handling systems 41; D Installs roofing and specialty products 10; E Performs maintenance and repair 7.
Knowledge and recall 20 to 30 percent, procedural and application 60 to 70 percent, critical thinking 5 to 15 percent.
A Performs common occupational skills 9; B Installs and maintains generating, distribution and service systems 23; C Installs and maintains wiring systems 20; D Installs and maintains rotating and non-rotating equipment and control systems 21; E Installs and maintains signalling and communication systems 10; F Installs and maintains process control systems 17.
Knowledge and recall 10 to 20 percent, procedural and application 35 to 45 percent, critical thinking 40 to 50 percent.
In Ontario you write the Red Seal exam. Skilled Trades Ontario lists 309A, 306A, 433A, 421A, 310S, 403A, 307A, 308A, 442A as Red Seal.
Skilled Trades Ontario exam preparation guide, VER 6Skilled Trades Ontario apprenticeship programs quick facts chart, August 2026
All questions are multiple choice. (Only SOPEEC Operating Engineer exams include essay responses.)
Open book. Candidates bring their own permitted reference materials to the test centre. For Gas Technician 2 and 3 the permitted references are the Technical Standards and Safety Act 2000, all Fuels Regulations and Code Adoption Documents, and CSA-B149.1.
All questions are multiple choice. (Only SOPEEC Operating Engineer exams include essay responses.)
Open book. Candidates bring their own permitted reference materials to the test centre. For Gas Technician 2 and 3 the permitted references are the Technical Standards and Safety Act 2000, all Fuels Regulations and Code Adoption Documents, and CSA-B149.1.
Last checked 15 October 2026.