Alberta · designated trade
Automotive Service Technician
4-Period Apprenticeship ProgramCompulsory CertificationRed Seal
Automotive Service Technician is a designated trade in Alberta. The Tradesecrets page lists a 4-Period Apprenticeship Program. Certification on that page is recorded as Compulsory Certification.
These facts were checked for Alberta on 4 October 2026. They do not by themselves apply in another province or territory. Tradesecrets and the Government of Alberta do not endorse TradesAtlas.
Automotive service technicians perform preventative maintenance, diagnose faulty operations and repair automotive vehicles and light trucks. They adjust, test and repair engines, steering systems, braking systems, drive trains, vehicle suspensions, electrical systems and air-conditioning systems, and do wheel alignments.
- Source
- Tradesecrets profile
- Last checked
- 4 October 2026
Apprenticeship Education Program
Learning Outcomes
- Gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined in the program Competence Statements.
Credential
- Advanced Diploma
Certification
- Journeyperson Certificate
- Red Seal Endorsement (optional)
Program Requirements
- 4 periods (levels)
- All periods:
- 1530 hours work experience per period
- 9 weeks classroom instruction per period
- Theory exam required
- Each period designed to take ~1 year
- Up to 18 months allowed between each requirement
Classroom Instruction
- 9 weeks in all periods
- Offered at Lakeland College, Lethbridge Polytechnic, Medicine Hat College, NAIT, Northwestern Polytechnic, Red Deer Polytechnic, and SAIT
- Entrance requirements:
- English 20-2, Math 20-3, and Science 10
- or GED/CAEC
- or Entrance Exam
- Class Catalogue
- Curriculum Guide
- Curriculum Guide Companion Document
- Financial Assistance
- Entrance Requirements
- Entrance Exams
On-the-Job Instruction
- 1530 hours in all periods
- Sponsorship agreement required to earn hours.
- Must be completed with a qualified mentor.
- Demonstrate competence in activities outlined in the record book to receive credit.
Exams
- Theory exam required to complete each period
- Red Seal exam option in final period
Program Updates
- Curriculum updated during the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years.
High School Credit
- Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)
- Career and Technology Studies (CTS)
Related Trade Certificates
- Agricultural Equipment Technician
- Heavy Equipment Technician
- Heavy Equipment Technician - Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic (Off-road)
- Heavy Equipment Technician - Transport Trailer Mechanic
- Heavy Equipment Technician - Truck Transport Mechanic
- Motorcycle Mechanic
- Natural Gas Compression Technician
- Transport Refrigeration Technician
Trades Qualifier Program
Work Experience Program
- Complete 72 months and 9180 hours of verifiable Automotive Service Technician work experience.
- Pass a theory exam.
- Submit a Trades Competency Verification (TCV).
- Trades Qualifier - Work Experience Program
- Trades Competency Verification (TCV)
- Automotive Service Technician Trade Competency Verification (TCV) Sample Book
Recognized Credentials Program
- Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.
- Pass a theory exam.
Employment in the Trade
Restricted Activities
- Specific tasks and function within the trade may only be performed by authorized individuals.
- Restricted Activities List - Automotive Service Technician
- Restricted Activities Info Sheet
- Board Order
Authorized Individuals
- To perform restricted activities, you must be:
- a registered apprentice or
- a certified journeyperson or
- hold a recognized trade certificate.
Apprentice-to-Mentor Ratio
- Employers may employ two apprentices for every one assigned mentor (2:1).
Wages
- Apprentices must be paid at least the below percentage of the rate received by the lowest-paid Automotive Service Technician journeyperson employed by the same company.
- Period 1: 55%
- Period 2: 70%
- Period 3: 80%
- Period 4: 90%
- Automotive Service Technician apprentices can be paid on a flat-rate basis. This means wages are based on a set amount per task, not the time it takes. Pay is calculated using an agreed hourly rate and a fixed time for each task. Flat-rate pay is allowed if:
- The apprentice has qualified for the 3rd period of apprenticeship.
- The apprentice consents to this pay method.
- The job times match those used for all flat-rate Automotive Service Technicians at the same employer.
- The apprentice's hourly rate is at least equal to that of a comparable mentor.
Recognized Credentials
- If you hold a recognized trade certificate from outside of Alberta, you are authorized to work in the full scope of the trade in Alberta.
Red Seal Endorsement
- You may take the Red Seal Exam upon the completion of your apprenticeship in this trade.
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