Different trades are regulated differently across Canada. We review the licences, insurance, and registrations each trade needs in your province — so you know exactly what stands behind a contractor. This reflects what we review; it is not an endorsement, and not legal advice.
| Trade | What we verify | Status in Ontario |
|---|---|---|
Electrical |
Electrician Certificate of Qualification (compulsory) + ECRA/ESA Licensed Electrical Contractor
Skilled Trades Ontario (certificate); Electrical Safety Authority (contractor licence) · esasafe.com
|
Licence required |
Plumbing |
Certificate of Qualification — Plumber (compulsory trade)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
Licence required |
HVAC |
Certificate of Qualification — Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (compulsory trade)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
Licence required |
Mechanical |
Certificate of Qualification — Steamfitter/Pipefitter (compulsory trade)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
Licence required |
Solar & Renewables |
Electrician C of Q + ECRA/ESA Licensed Electrical Contractor (for PV wiring)
Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) / Skilled Trades Ontario · esasafe.com
|
Licence required |
Elevators & Escalators |
Elevating Devices Mechanic licence
Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) · tssa.org
|
Licence required |
Fire Protection & Safety |
Certificate of Qualification — Sprinkler Fitter / Sprinkler & Fire Protection Installer (compulsory trade)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
Licence required |
Welding & Fabrication |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Energy & Utilities |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
| Trade | What we verify | Status in Ontario |
|---|---|---|
Renovation |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
General Contracting |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Roofing |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Carpentry |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Masonry & Concrete |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Drywall & Insulation |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Demolition |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Excavation & Earthwork |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Foundation & Waterproofing |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
| Trade | What we verify | Status in Ontario |
|---|---|---|
Painting |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Flooring |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Tiling |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Cabinetry & Millwork |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Windows & Doors |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Garage & Doors |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Glazing |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
| Trade | What we verify | Status in Ontario |
|---|---|---|
Landscaping |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Fencing & Decks |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Asphalt & Paving |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Snow Removal |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Pools & Spas |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
| Trade | What we verify | Status in Ontario |
|---|---|---|
Building Maintenance |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Janitorial & Custodial |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
Skilled Trades Ontario · skilledtradesontario.ca
|
No licence required |
Pest Control |
Pesticide applicator certificate/licence (structural) + pesticide business/service licence
Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (Pesticides Act; O. Reg. 63/09) · ontario.ca
|
Licence required |
Security & Alarm Systems |
Business registration, liability insurance & workers’ comp — a licence may apply by scope or municipality
Ontario (Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005); Electrical Safety Authority (Ontario Electrical Safety Code) · esasafe.com
|
Registration |
Environmental & Remediation |
Business registration, liability insurance & workers’ comp — a licence may apply by scope or municipality
Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (O. Reg. 278/05) · ontario.ca
|
Registration |
Waste Management |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
Telecommunications |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
Signage & Printing |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
Food Services & Catering |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
Transportation & Fleet |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
Industrial Equipment |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
Machinery & Tools |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
Office Equipment & Supplies |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
IT Hardware & Software |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
Furniture & Furnishings |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
Medical & Lab Equipment |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
Construction Products & Materials |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
Other |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
| Trade | What we verify | Status in Ontario |
|---|---|---|
Architecture & Engineering |
Professional Engineer (P.Eng) and/or Licensed Architect
Provincial engineering & architecture regulators (e.g., PEO/OAA in ON, EGBC/AIBC in BC, OIQ/OAQ in QC, APEGA in AB) · engineerscanada.ca
|
Licence required |
Professional & Consulting Services |
Business registration + liability insurance · WSIB (with employees)
|
No licence required |
Surveying & Inspection |
Business registration, liability insurance & workers’ comp — a licence may apply by scope or municipality
Association of Ontario Land Surveyors (Surveyors Act) · aols.org
|
Registration |
Complete the verification checklist for your trade and province to earn a verified badge on your QuoteHive profile.
Requirements shown reflect our review process and public regulator information, and may change. Contractors remain responsible for holding all licences required by law; municipal business licences may apply in addition to the above. This page describes what QuoteHive reviews — it is not an endorsement and not legal advice. Contact support.