This page identifies examination procedures for TSSA and Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (“MLITSD”) examinations.
Also see examination locations and the up-to-date examination schedule (pdf).
Examination procedures
Examination dates are subject to change/cancellation without notice. Examination candidates are required to confirm the status of their examination no later than 10 business days prior to the scheduled examination date.
On the day of the examination, candidates must produce at least one piece of acceptable government issued photo identification. The examination administrator or invigilator reserves the right to withhold an examination if a candidate fails to produce this identification. Candidates who fail to do so will be subject to the cancellation requirements outlined below.
Examination candidates are required to review and understand the examination procedures defined on the applicable examination application form.
Examination security will be strictly enforced. The examination administrator or invigilator reserves the right to revoke an examination at any time if the examination candidate is found to be in violation of the TSSA examination or MLITSD procedures. The examination candidate will be subject to further investigation, which may result in the revocation of an authorization or the application of restrictions to all future examinations.
Examination candidates are expected to follow the approved procedures of the examination centre or MLITSD office. The administrator or invigilator reserves the right to permit food, beverages, washroom breaks, etc. during an examination. Exceptions are considered and reviewed on a case-by-case basis; however, an exception must be requested by the examination candidate at the time of scheduling, a minimum of 10 business days prior to the scheduled examination date.
Scheduling an examination
Examination candidates are encouraged to review the examination schedule to confirm availability before submitting an examination application. This schedule, shown at the bottom of this page, is updated daily.
Examinations are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Examination seats will not be held.
Examination candidates are required to submit a completed examination application in the TSSA Client Portal or Prepayment Portal respectively a minimum of 10 business days prior to the scheduled examination date.
Candidates are solely responsible for confirming the examination date, time, and location by contacting TSSA Customer Service Centre at 1-877-682-8772, or by email at examinationandcertification@tssa.org.
Re-scheduling or cancelling examinations
Examination candidates are permitted to re-schedule or cancel an examination one single time after their examination has been scheduled. To do so, the examination candidate must email TSSA at examinationandcertification@tssa.org a minimum of 10 business days prior to the scheduled examination date.
If a candidate cancels or attempts to re-schedule an examination within 10 business days of the confirmed examination date, the examination fee submitted will be forfeited. To schedule a new examination, the candidate must apply and pay again.
Accommodations for persons with disabilities
TSSA is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities have an equal opportunity to become certified to work in TSSA-regulated occupations.
In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), TSSA ensures our certification and examination practices meet the needs of all qualified candidates wishing to take the required examination(s) for the appropriate TSSA-issued certificate of qualification.
For more information, please view our Examination Disability Accommodations page.
To request an accommodation, complete the Examinations Disability Accommodation Application (pdf).
All accommodation requests must be pre-approved by TSSA before the examination candidate schedules an examination. If you are scheduling through your training provider, they will ensure TSSA is aware of your accommodations.
NOTE: You must resend the approval email with each application for an examination that will be scheduled with the approved accommodations.
Post-COVID-19 examination protocols
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, TSSA’s examination process has been modified to stop the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Examination candidates must be aware of these changes, as outlined below:
TSSA’s Head Office is closed to the Public.
TSSA/HUBS will not provide reference materials or code books for Operating Engineers/Operator (“OE”) examinations.
Candidates must bring their own reference materials/code books. More information on the permitted materials for OE examinations can be found in the Certification Examination Preparation Guide (pdf).
TSSA/HUBS will not provide any stationery or writing utensils necessary for the examination. Candidates must bring in their own materials, including pencils, pens, erasers, a ruler/protractor, and a non-programmable calculator. Since multiple choice examinations must be completed in pencil, we recommend bringing multiple pencils and erasers to the examination so you do not run out.