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Canada · Trade exam

What happens if you fail the Red Seal exam?

You can write it again. Red Seal itself doesn't set retake rules; your province or territory does. In B.C. and Ontario you wait at least 30 days. Fees, limits and extra study requirements differ, and B.C. caps challengers at four attempts. Here's how it works in three big provinces, as of October 2026.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

British Columbia

AttemptApprenticesChallengers (Trade Qualifiers)
2ndNo feeNo fee
3rdSkilledTradesBC-approved study plan; $100Apprenticeship Advisor's approval; $100
4thProof of upgrading; $100Proof of upgrading; $100
5thThe Completions Team contacts you first; $100Not allowed: challengers are limited to four writes

Rewrites need a 30-day wait from your last attempt. The rules depend on how you got to the exam.

Ontario

If you don't pass, you have to wait 30 days before you can rewrite. You pay the exam fee again, $150 + HST, before you book.

Alberta

If you're unsuccessful, your Red Seal application is cancelled. To try again you send a new application and pay the fee again.

If you've already attempted the Red Seal exam two or more times, you need at least 40 hours of extra study or upgrading, and you send a training plan with your application.

Before you rewrite

  • Look at your trade's exam breakdown and find the tasks with the most questions.
  • Redo the Red Seal self-assessment and be honest about the tasks you've done least.
  • Learn the Common Core sub-tasks you don't do at your job. The exam covers the trade across Canada.
  • Check the formulas and code book layout for your trade, if it uses one.
  • Ask your employer or mentor for more hands-on time in your weak areas.

Explore

Everything else, in one place

OverviewRed Seal examHow many questionsHow many questions are on the Red Seal exam?CostHow much does the Red Seal exam cost?Online examCan you take the Red Seal exam online?Study guideRed Seal study guide: what to readPractice testRed Seal practice examWhere to learnWhere to study for the Red Seal exam
Sources: SkilledTradesBC, Skilled Trades Ontario, Alberta AIT and 1 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.