If you’ve gained extensive experience working in esthetics but never completed formal training in Manitoba, you may be eligible to challenge the certification exam and apply for Trade Qualification (TQ). This process is designed for skilled workers who have the hands-on hours but not the diploma—and it’s your path to becoming officially recognized in a regulated trade.
You can pick any one of the three designated esthetics trades:
- Esthetician (Full Scope)
- Nail Technician
- Skin Care Technician
Let’s walk through how to challenge the exam and get your certification!
Step 1: Understand the Trade Qualification (TQ) Option
In Manitoba, each of the three esthetics fields (full scope esthetician, nail technician, and skin care technician) is a designated trade under Apprenticeship Manitoba. This means that certification is required to legally work in the trade. If you did not attend an accredited diploma program but have equivalent on-the-job experience, you may apply for Trade Qualification (TQ).
Step 2: Confirm Your Work Experience
To challenge the exam, you must show that you’ve gained significant hands-on experience in your chosen trade. This means meeting a minimum required hours and years of work experience for individuals challenging the exam:
- Esthetician (Full Scope): 4,800 hours of experience over at least 3 years
- Nail Technician: 1,500 hours of experience over at least 1.5 years
- Skin Care Technician: 1,650 hours of experience over at least 1.5 years
This experience must be verified through employer documentation and supported by a statutory declaration (more on that below).
This experience can be from:
- Salons, spas, or other beauty businesses
- Work in another province or country
- Self-employment
Continue reading to learn how to confirm your work experience:
How to Confirm Your Work Experience
To have your work experience considered, you must provide documentation that verifies your employment and the nature of the work performed. This typically includes:
- Employer Declarations: A form completed by your employers detailing your job duties and the hours worked.
- Record of hours (signed or verified).
- A detailed list of the services and duties you performed. You’ll need experience in at least 70% of the services outlined in your trade’s scope. Don’t worry—we’ve listed them for you further below!
- Statutory Declaration: A legal statement affirming your work experience, which may be used if one of your employer’s declarations is unavailable.
Both Statutory and Employer Declarations can be found on this page.
Using a Statutory Declaration: What You Must Know
A Statutory Declaration may be used to support your application if:
- Your employer is no longer in business
- Employment records are not available
- You were self-employed (references required)
- Your employer refuses to complete the Employer Declaration
Important: If you were not self-employed, you must submit at least one Employer Declaration. Applications from non-self-employed applicants that only include a Statutory Declaration will not be accepted.
If you are unable to provide an Employer Declaration:
Your Statutory Declaration must clearly outline all the steps you took to obtain one. Incomplete or vague explanations may result in your application being denied.
For self-employed applicants:
Include the names and contact details of two people who can verify your work experience, such as a supplier, past employee, industry contractor, or a long-term client.
Step 3: Submit the Trade Qualification Application
Applications are available through Apprenticeship Manitoba.
What you’ll need:
- Completed TQ Application Form
- Proof of work experience (see above)
- Payment of the application fee (as of this writing, $200).
Mail or deliver your application to Apprenticeship Manitoba for processing.
What is their address?
Apprenticeship Manitoba
100–111 Lombard Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3B 0T4
Canada
How can I pay the application fee?
You can enter your credit card details directly on the form. Alternatively, payment can be made by cheque or money order payable to the “Minister of Finance.” If you’re submitting your application in person, cash or Interac are also accepted.
How Much of the Trade Must I Be Proficient In?
Your work experience must match at least 70% of the trade scope in Manitoba for the trade you’re applying for (e.g., Esthetician, Nail Technician, or Skin Care Technician). This means you should have experience in the majority of the treatments and skills listed under Manitoba’s trade scope for that role.
Here is the list for each trade. Select the one you’re applying for to see what it includes:
Scope of the Trade: Nail Technician
A nail technician performs the following:
- Performing manicures and pedicures
- Removal of nail enamel, nail buffing, and applying nail enamel
- Cleaning and shaping nails to make them more attractive
- Enhancing nails
- Extending natural nails with enhancement products
- Wrapping nails to mend and strengthen
- Applying temporary nail tips
- Applying UV-cured polish and extended-wear polish
- Decorating clients’ nails with designs or attaching ornaments to nails
- Applying artificial nails
- Caring for the skin of hands and feet
Scope of the Trade: Skin Care Technician
A skin care technician performs the following:
- Cleansing of face, neck, and shoulders
- Skin care treatments
- Advanced skin treatments
- Facial treatments
- Body treatments
- Analysis of skin condition
- Facial masks
- Make-up artistry and techniques
- Hair removal by depilatory methods
- Relaxation massages and muscle toning
- Correction of skin problems using electrical currents
- Lash and brow tinting
- Individual eyelash application
Scope of the Trade: Esthetician
- Cleansing of face, neck, and shoulders
- Skin care treatments
- Advanced skin treatments
- Facial treatments
- Body treatments
- Analysis of skin condition
- Facial masks
- Make-up artistry and techniques
- Hair removal by depilatory methods
- Relaxation massages and muscle toning
- Correction of skin problems using electrical currents
- Lash and brow tinting
- Individual eyelash application
- Performing manicures and pedicures
- Removal of nail enamel, nail buffing, and applying nail enamel
- Cleaning and shaping nails to make them more attractive
- Enhancing nails
- Extending natural nails with enhancement products
- Wrapping nails to mend and strengthen
- Applying temporary nail tips
- Applying UV-cured polish and extended-wear polish
- Decorating clients’ nails with designs or attaching ornaments to nails
- Applying artificial nails
- Caring for the skin of hands and feet
Step 4: Write the Certification Exam
Once your application is approved, Apprenticeship Manitoba will invite you to write the provincial certification exam for your trade. This multiple-choice exam tests your theoretical knowledge of:
- Health and safety
- Sanitation
- Client care
- Techniques and procedures specific to your regulated esthetics designation: Full Esthetician, Skin Care Technician, or Nail Technician
Study tip: Here is the textbook guide from Apprenticeship Manitoba.
Step 5: Book and Complete Your Practical Exam
Receive Your Letter: After successfully passing the written exam, Apprenticeship Manitoba will issue an official letter confirming your results. This letter gives you approval to proceed with the practical exam.
Pass Your Practical Exam: Wrapture Beauty Academy is an approved testing site for practical exams, which are conducted on our campus by Apprenticeship Manitoba. Once you receive your confirmation letter, contact us to schedule your practical exam.
Important: When you pass your practical exam, your license is not issued on the day of the exam. You must submit your verification of completion to Apprenticeship Manitoba. Once processed, your official trade certification will be issued.
How To Book Your Practical Exam
Email info@wrapturebeautyacademy.com and include the following:
- A copy of the letter from Apprenticeship Manitoba confirming that you have passed the written exam
- Your full first and last name (exactly as shown on your government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport)
- Your complete mailing address (number, street, city, and postal code)
- Your phone number and birth date
Good to Know:
- An exam fee (currently under $80 at the time of this writing) will be required to finalize your booking.
- We will send you a copy of the exam outline with an updated list of supplies you’ll need to bring to complete the practical exam.
What to Expect From The Practical Exam:
Nail Technician Practical Exam
In this Apprenticeship Manitoba exam, candidates are assessed on essential practical skills, including:
- Nail Shaping and Cuticle Work: Pedicures and manicures.
- Callus Removal: Properly addressing foot care needs.
- Massage Techniques: Hand, arm, foot, and leg massage.
- French Polish Application: Mastering the classic look.
- Gel and Acrylic Nail Application: Sculptured nails with overlays.
- Red Polish Application: Precision and neatness.
Skin Care Technician Practical Exam
For skin care technicians, the practical exam covers skills including:
- Hair Removal and Eyebrow Shaping: Using depilatory methods.
- Skin Cleansing and Extractions: Prepping the skin with care.
- Massage Techniques: Facial and body massage methods.
- Mask Application: Using visible mask product to show precision
- Lash Tinting: Safe and effective application techniques.
- Evening Makeup Application: Creating a polished final look.
Esthetics Practical Exam
For estheticians pursuing certification in both sub-trades, the exam combines all of the above skills from skin care exam and nail technician exam into a comprehensive evaluation, including:
- Nail Shaping and Cuticle Work: Pedicures and manicures.
- Callus Removal: Properly addressing foot care needs.
- Massage Techniques: Hand, arm, foot, and leg massage.
- French Polish Application: Mastering the classic look.
- Gel and Acrylic Nail Application: Sculptured nails with overlays.
- Red Polish Application: Precision and neatness.
- Hair Removal and Eyebrow Shaping: Using depilatory methods.
- Skin Cleansing and Extractions: Prepping the skin with care.
- Massage Techniques: Facial and body massage methods.
- Mask Application: Using visible mask product to show precision
- Lash Tinting: Safe and effective application techniques.
- Evening Makeup Application: Creating a polished final look.
Step 6: Get Certified
Once you’ve passed both the written and practical exams and submitted your verification to Apprenticeship Manitoba, you’ll be issued your Certificate of Qualification. This certification:
- Legally permits you to work in your esthetics trade in a business
-
Enables you to freelance or open and manage a beauty business (in accordance with provincial industry regulations).
Congratulations!
FAQ: Who Can Apply to Challenge a Trade Qualification Exam in Manitoba?
Here are answer to our most commonly asked questions:
Do I have to live in Manitoba to apply?
Yes, you must be a current resident of Manitoba to be eligible to challenge the exam.
However, you do NOT need to be a Canadian citizen or PR, but you must have a valid work permit or visa that allows employment in Canada.
Do I need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (PR)?
No, you do not need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
However, you must be legally entitled to work in Canada. This includes having a valid work permit, open work permit, or another visa that allows you to be employed.
What if my work experience is from outside Canada?
That’s okay—but any supporting documents must be in English or French. If not, certified translations in English or French must be included with your application.
Where can I find more information or apply for financial support?
You can explore more through:
- Financial Supports for Internationally Educated Professionals
- Frequently Asked Questions for International Applicants Challenging a Regulated Trade Exam in Manitoba (such as Esthetics and Sub-Trades)
- Apprenticeship Manitoba’s Esthetician Trade Profile Page
- Apply to Challenge a Certification Exam
Challenging the Esthetician, Nail Technician, or Skin Care Technician exam in Manitoba is an excellent way to turn your experience into a recognized credential.
With the right documentation and preparation, your years of work can become an official trade qualification that opens new doors in the beauty industry.
You’ve got this!
Note: This information is accurate at the date of this article’s publication. For the most current details, please visit the Apprenticeship Manitoba website .