This webpage details the requirements for individual certificate holders. If you are looking for a plant registration, please visit Licensing and Registrations. The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) oversees the certification and examination of operating engineers and operators to confirm their qualifications.
These activities ensure that all operating engineers and operators in Ontario have the skills and knowledge to safely manage, operate and maintain registered power plants.
There are eight different certification types within operating engineers. Each type has its own suggested study materials and certification requirements and has specific guidelines for candidates to follow in order to successfully apply for and obtain their required certification.
All require you to complete one or more examination(s) and submit an application form and fee.
Certification Types
The certification types below are specified in Ontario Regulation 219/01: Operating Engineers. Click the link to read the Examination and Certification Guide for each type. TSSA Is no longer offering review of essay examinations.
2nd Class Operating Engineer (pdf) (Effective January 1, 2025, all exams will be multiple choice.)
Refrigeration Operator Class "A" (pdf) (Effective January 1, 2025, this exam will be multiple choice.)
Certification and Examination
Once you have completed all of the required examinations and experience, you may submit a request for certification. Please complete an Application for an Ontario Certificate of Qualification as an Operating Engineer or Operator (pdf) through our prepayment portal.
To apply for a duplicate operating engineers certificate, please submit the Operating Engineers Duplicate Certificate Request (pdf).
Need help preparing for your exam? View TSSA's Register for an Exam webpage.
If you have questions, read our frequently asked questions about examination and certification.
Certificate Reinstatement
If you are submitting a request for certification, please go to the TSSA Client Portal. As outlined in Ontario Regulation 219/01: Operating Engineers, operators must apply for reinstatement if they have failed to renew their certificate of qualification within 12 months of the expiry date.
Apply online through the TSSA Client Portal. View the Operating Engineers/Operator Certification Reinstatement Guide (pdf).
Out-of-Province Applicants
If you are submitting a request for certification, please go to the TSSA Client Portal. TSSA honours a combination of certificates in some circumstances where exact matches do not exist. View the Operating Engineers Matched Certificates/Non-Matched Equivalency Table (pdf) for more information.
A certification candidate who holds a matched equivalency from a matched jurisdiction is eligible to apply online through the TSSA Client Portal for certification through our Labour Mobility Certification Process for Operating Engineers/Operators (pdf). An examination on the Acts and Regulations will be required, for a list of study resources please review the Certification Examination Preparation Guide.
Once TSSA issues formal approval of an application, the candidate must complete an open book examination on Ontario legislation. A passing grade of 65% is required.
Accredited Training Providers
Training providers must be accredited by TSSA before they are eligible to provide or offer a training program to the public. In order for an individual/organization to become accredited, they must submit an Application for Accreditation as an Operating Engineers Training Provider (pdf) and email the completed form to certandexams@tssa.org. Ensure you meet all of the requirements outlined in the Operating Engineers/Operator Training Provider Accreditation Policy (pdf).
To find an accredited training provider, search our directory.
Open Data
TSSA releases data related to certified Operating Engineers/Operators.