Licensed Handyman Requirements in, ON (2026) | GetAHomePro
Licensed Handyman Requirements in Ontario (2026)
·Updated on ·12 min read· Handyman
L
Lisa NguyenGeneral Contractor & Renovation Specialist
Published March 6, 2026
Key Takeaway
Ontario handyman licensing requirements 2026. No trade license needed but insurance requirements, work scope limits, when a licensed trade is legally required, and liability.
Licensed Handyman Requirements in Ontario (2026)
1. Quick answer
In Ontario, there is no single "handyman license." Instead, you must verify credentials based on the specific trade tasks performed. For electrical work, the contractor must be an ESA-licensed Electrical Contractor. For gas work, they require a TSSA certification. For structural or major building modifications, they must comply with the Ontario Building Code (OBC) and potentially hold a BCIN (Building Code Identification Number). Always verify specific trade certifications via Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) to ensure legal compliance and safety.
2. Regulatory bodies that govern this trade in Ontario
Navigating the regulatory landscape for home services in Ontario requires understanding the specific mandates of five key provincial bodies. These organizations ensure that the individual entering your home has the requisite training, insurance, and legal standing to perform work.
Skilled Trades Ontario (STO): The successor to the Ontario College of Trades, STO manages the public register of skilled tradespeople. They oversee the apprenticeship system and issue Certificates of Qualification (CofQ). Verification is critical here for any Red Seal trade. (https://www.skilledtradesontario.ca/)
Electrical Safety Authority (ESA): If a handyman performs any electrical work—even replacing an outlet—they must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC). Homeowners can verify an LEC’s status to ensure they are permitted to pull permits and perform work under the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC). (https://esasafe.com/)
Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA): The TSSA regulates high-risk fuels and equipment. Any person working on gas furnaces, gas fireplaces, or gas piping must hold a TSSA-issued certificate (e.g., G1, G2, or G3 licenses). Using an unlicensed individual for gas work is a significant life-safety violation. (https://www.tssa.org/)
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Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB): In Ontario, construction and renovation businesses are generally required to have WSIB coverage. If a contractor is not registered, the homeowner can be held liable for injuries occurring on their property under the "deemed worker" provision in specific high-risk scenarios. (https://www.wsib.ca/)
Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD): This ministry enforces the Occupational Health and Safety Act. They govern job site safety. If a project requires working at heights (roofing), the contractor must provide proof of "Working at Heights" training mandated by the province.
Each body serves a distinct purpose, and a truly professional handyman will be able to produce documentation from these entities upon request. Failing to cross-reference these databases leaves the homeowner vulnerable to the "fly-by-night" operator phenomenon common in the GTA and Cottage Country markets.
3. Licensing levels and certification tiers
The handyman profession is unique because it often bridges multiple trades. Understanding the hierarchy of certification is the primary defense against subpar workmanship. In Ontario, trades are categorized as either Compulsory (must be licensed) or Voluntary (licensing is recommended but not legally mandated for all tasks).
Tier
Requirements
Scope of Work
Timeline
Apprentice
Registered with STO; sponsor required
Supervised tasks only; cannot sign off
2,000–9,000 hours
Journeyperson
CofQ/Red Seal; passed provincial exam
Independent work within trade scope
3–5 years
Master/LEC/TSSA
Advanced certification + Business License
Can pull permits, sign inspections
5+ years experience
Apprentices: In Ontario, an apprentice must work under the direct supervision of a Journeyperson. For instance, in electrical or plumbing, the ratio is strictly governed. If an "apprentice" is working alone in your home, it is a regulatory violation.
Journeyperson/Certificate of Qualification (CofQ): This is the gold standard. It proves the individual has logged the required field hours (e.g., 9,000 hours for a general carpenter) and passed a rigorous provincial board exam. The Red Seal designation allows these workers to practice anywhere in Canada, signifying mastery.
Compulsory Trades: Trades like Electrician (309A), Plumber (306A), and Refrigeration/AC Mechanic (313A) are compulsory. It is illegal for anyone without a valid CofQ to perform this work.
Voluntary Trades: Many handyman tasks fall under voluntary trades (e.g., General Carpenter, Drywaller). While you can legally hire a non-licensed person for a voluntary trade, the risk of structural failure—especially in Northern Ontario’s shifting soil conditions or GTA’s dense housing—is significantly higher.
Always ask for a trade-specific certificate if the job involves specialized skills. A general "handyman" should only be performing maintenance-level tasks. For anything requiring an OBC permit, you need a certified professional with the appropriate level of mastery.
4. Insurance and bonding requirements
Homeowners often assume a handyman's "business license" implies they are insured. This is a dangerous misconception. In the Ontario construction market, insurance is not a single policy; it is a layered protection system.
General Liability Insurance: A reputable contractor should carry a minimum of $2,000,000 CAD in Commercial General Liability (CGL) coverage. In high-density areas like downtown Toronto, many commercial buildings and luxury residential complexes require up to $5,000,000 CAD. This covers property damage (e.g., a burst pipe causing water damage) or third-party bodily injury.
WSIB Coverage: If your contractor has employees, they must have WSIB coverage. As of 2026, many independent operators are also required to register. You can check their "Clearance Certificate" online using their WSIB account number. If they don't have it, and they fall off a ladder on your property, you could potentially be named in a liability lawsuit.
Professional Liability/Errors & Omissions (E&O): For contractors providing design-build services or complex renovations, E&O insurance covers mistakes in drawings or code interpretations. This is rare for a basic handyman but essential for custom builds.
Vehicle Insurance: A professional service vehicle must have "Commercial Use" insurance. A standard personal auto policy will often deny a claim if an accident occurs while the vehicle is being used for business purposes, leaving the business—and potentially the homeowner if the incident occurs on site—exposed.
Bonding: While less common for small handyman jobs, for larger projects (over $20,000 CAD), a "Contract Bond" ensures the project is completed even if the contractor goes bankrupt.
What happens if they aren't insured? If a $50,000 CAD water damage event occurs due to a faulty valve install and the contractor lacks insurance, your own homeowner’s policy may increase your premiums or, in cases of "gross negligence" or hiring unlicensed workers, refuse the claim entirely. Always verify their certificate of insurance (COI) before they pick up a tool.
5. How to verify a contractor's license in Ontario
Verification is the single most effective way to prevent project failure. Do not rely on business cards or word-of-mouth; follow these steps every single time.
Request Credentials: Ask for the contractor’s Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) registration number and their ESA license number (if electrical is involved). If they claim to be a plumber, ask for their Ontario College of Trades/STO Certificate of Qualification.
Verify with the STO Public Register: Visit skilledtradesontario.ca and search the public register. Ensure the name matches the individual and that the status is "Active."
Check TSSA Records: For anything involving gas (furnaces, water heaters), use the TSSA "Find a Contractor" tool. This database is updated in real-time.
Validate WSIB Status: Use the WSIB Compass portal to ensure the contractor has a valid, "Good Standing" clearance certificate. You will need their business name or WSIB account number.
Review Insurance: Request a formal Certificate of Insurance (COI) from their broker. Ensure it lists your address as a temporary site if the project exceeds $5,000 CAD.
Red Flags to Watch:
The "I'm licensed, but I lost my card" excuse: This is a 100% fail. STO registrations are digital and verifiable in 60 seconds.
Refusal to provide business contact info: If they only provide a burner phone number or a Gmail address, proceed with extreme caution.
Discrepancies in names: If the business name on the contract doesn't match the name on the insurance or the STO registry, the legal chain of liability is broken.
If a contractor becomes defensive when you ask for these documents, terminate the negotiation immediately. The cost of verification is zero, but the cost of an unvetted contractor can reach tens of thousands of dollars.
6. Consequences of hiring an unlicensed contractor
Hiring an unlicensed handyman in Ontario is a financial and legal gamble that rarely ends well. The consequences are rarely immediate but manifest during insurance renewals or property sales.
Insurance Claim Denials: If your home suffers a fire caused by faulty wiring installed by an unlicensed person, your home insurance provider is within their rights to deny the entire claim. In 2026, Ontario insurers are increasingly strict, often requesting proof of ESA inspection certificates for any electrical work performed within the last 10 years.
Warranty Voidance: Most modern HVAC and plumbing equipment manufacturers (e.g., Rheem, Carrier) stipulate that their warranties are only valid if installation is performed by a "licensed professional." Using an unlicensed handyman voids your manufacturer's warranty, which could cost you $4,000–$8,000 CAD for a premature HVAC failure.
Permit and Inspection Failures: If you perform renovations without a building permit (required for structural work, plumbing, or electrical), your municipality can issue a "Stop Work" order. In extreme cases, they can force you to rip out the work to expose the structure for inspection. If the work doesn't meet the Ontario Building Code (OBC), you are liable for the cost of full demolition and remediation.
Resale Disclosure: When you sell your home in Ontario, you must disclose significant renovations. If you disclose a bathroom renovation that was done without a permit or by an unlicensed contractor, you may face legal action from the buyer if subsequent issues arise.
Real-world Scenarios:
The "Friend of a Friend": A homeowner in the Ottawa Valley hired an unlicensed contractor for a basement finish. Two years later, a pipe leaked behind the wall. Because the contractor didn't follow plumbing code-compliant venting, the insurance company denied the $35,000 CAD water damage claim.
The Electrical Fire: In the GTA, a homeowner used an unlicensed handyman to add a sub-panel. When a fire broke out, the investigation discovered an unpermitted installation. The homeowner was left footing a $120,000 CAD repair bill because the insurer declared the policy was voided by "unauthorized alteration of building systems."
7. Ontario-specific regulations and building code
The Ontario Building Code (OBC) is a provincial regulation under the Building Code Act. It sets the minimum standards for health, safety, and fire protection. Handymen often incorrectly assume that "small jobs" are exempt from the OBC. This is false.
OBC and Permits: Any structural change—moving a load-bearing wall, changing a window size, or creating a basement apartment (ADU)—requires a municipal building permit. In Ontario, municipal building departments have become increasingly digitized. Whether you are in Niagara or Northern Ontario, your local building department is the final authority.
Recent Regulatory Changes (2024–2026):
The Skilled Trades Ontario Act has streamlined how we track certifications, but it has also increased enforcement against illegal practice. In 2026, the province has increased focus on "underground" contracting. The province now tracks tradespeople through a unified digital ID, making it harder for unlicensed workers to hide behind business name changes.
Municipal Variances:
GTA/Toronto: Stringent adherence to the OBC. Electrical permits are almost always required for any wiring work.
Cottage Country (Muskoka/Haliburton): Building departments are stricter regarding environmental setbacks and septic requirements. Handymen must be aware that a "deck repair" might inadvertently violate a shoreline protection by-law, which is a significant municipal fine.
Southwestern Ontario: Older housing stock (pre-1950s) often contains knob-and-tube wiring or lead pipes. An unlicensed handyman in these regions is a massive liability, as the OBC requires specific remediation techniques for these materials that unlicensed workers are rarely trained for.
Always check with your local Building Department before signing a contract. If a contractor tells you, "We don't need a permit for that," ask them to provide that in writing, referencing the specific OBC exemption clause. They will almost always walk back that claim.
8. How licensing affects pricing
There is a distinct pricing gap between licensed professionals and "under-the-table" operators. In 2026, a licensed, insured contractor in the GTA typically charges between $95 and $160 CAD per hour. An unlicensed worker might offer a rate of $40–$60 CAD.
Why the premium is worth it:
Overhead vs. Quality: The $100+ CAD/hr rate covers liability insurance, WSIB, business registration fees, specialized tools, and ongoing certification training. You aren't just paying for the hour; you are paying for the legal protection and technical knowledge.
Efficiency: A licensed professional knows the code, which means they do the job correctly the first time. An unlicensed worker often creates "hidden costs"—the time spent fixing their mistakes, the cost of failed inspections, and the long-term cost of code-non-compliance.
HST Inclusion: Licensed contractors in Ontario must charge 13% HST. If a contractor asks you to "pay cash to skip the tax," run away. This is a common indicator of an operator who is not properly registered and will disappear the moment a problem arises.
Average Price Ranges (2026 CAD, +13% HST):
Basic Handyman (Minor repairs): $75–$120/hr
Certified Carpenter: $100–$160/hr
Licensed Electrician/Plumber: $120–$200/hr
When you factor in the potential for disaster—voided warranties and denied insurance—the "cheap" unlicensed contractor is actually the most expensive option you can choose for your home.
9. Bottom line
Never hire a handyman without verifying their credentials. If the job involves electrical or gas, they must be licensed by the ESA or TSSA respectively. For carpentry or structural work, demand their STO certificate and verify their WSIB coverage. Use the GetAHomePro directory to connect with contractors who have been vetted for their licensing, insurance, and professional standing in Ontario. Protecting your home and your liability is always worth the extra effort.