If you want a career involving hands-on work that matters, gas fitting deserves a serious look. Gas fitters work with systems that use natural gas or propane—installing them, maintaining them, and making sure they operate safely.
“Safely” is key. Gas is dangerous, so it’s important to make sure everything is up to code. That’s why gas fitters in Manitoba must be licensed through Inspection and Technical Services (ITS).
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about getting your gas fitter licence in Manitoba: what the work involves, the different licence classes, and the step-by-step path from apprentice to certified journeyperson.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What Does a Gas Fitter Do?
- Gas Fitter Licence Types in Manitoba
- Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements
- Step 2: Get Hired as an Apprentice
- Step 3: Complete Annual Technical Training
- Step 4: Pass the Red Seal Exam
- Step 5: Apply for Your Licence
WHAT DOES A GAS FITTER DO?
Gas fitters install, maintain, repair, and inspect gas systems and equipment. That includes everything from furnaces, fireplaces, and water heaters to ovens, industrial burners, and high-capacity boilers.
It’s technical, safety-critical work that requires both hands-on skill and a solid understanding of codes and regulations.
On a typical day, a gas fitter might:
- Install gas lines and piping in homes or commercial buildings
- Hook up appliances to gas supply systems
- Test systems for leaks and proper pressure
- Diagnose and repair faulty equipment
- Perform regular maintenance and safety inspections
Gas fitters are basically the specialists who make sure fuel gets safely delivered and used in buildings. They overlap a bit with HVAC techs and plumbers, but they focus specifically on gas systems and combustion equipment.
Gas fitters work on a wide range of equipment, including boilers
GAS FITTER LICENCE TYPES IN MANITOBA
Manitoba issues two classes of gas fitter licences, each covering a different scope of work.
Class B – Domestic Gas Fitter
A Class B licence allows you to work on low-pressure gas systems and equipment up to 400,000 BTU, typically covering residential properties and smaller commercial applications. This is a common entry point for gas fitters focused on home service work.
Class A – Gas Fitter
A Class A licence covers everything a Class B does, plus higher-pressure systems and equipment above 400,000 BTU and more complex industrial and commercial applications. Class A gas fitters can take on a broader range of projects and typically have more career flexibility as a result.
The licence class you pursue will determine the length of your apprenticeship, so it’s worth thinking about where you want to take your career before you get started.
STEP 1: MEET THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Before entering an apprenticeship, you’ll need to meet some foundational requirements.
Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is generally required.
Aptitude and awareness: Being comfortable with tools and mechanical systems goes a long way. You should also have a solid sense of safety awareness—working with gas means taking codes and procedures seriously.
Physical fitness: Gas fitters regularly work in tight or confined spaces or on ladders. The role involves lifting heavy equipment and materials, so physical fitness and stamina are part of the job.
STEP 2: GET HIRED AS AN APPRENTICE
You need to register as an apprentice with Apprenticeship Manitoba. That means you must find an employer who is willing to take you on.
Here are some tips for finding a sponsor:
- Reach out directly to mechanical contractors, plumbing and heating companies, and utility providers in your area
- Check job boards like Indeed, the Apprenticeship Manitoba job board, and local union hiring halls
- Consider completing a pre-employment trades program to build foundational skills and make yourself a more competitive candidate
- Don’t underestimate the value of networking—trade shows, industry associations, and even a well-timed cold call to a local contractor can open doors
Once you’re hired, your employer will help you register with Apprenticeship Manitoba and you’ll officially begin your apprenticeship.
Finding an employer willing to mentor you is an important step in becoming a gas fitter
STEP 3: COMPLETE ANNUAL TECHNICAL TRAINING
Manitoba gas fitting apprenticeships are structured around a combination of on-the-job learning and in-school technical training completed at a recognized training provider. The total length of your apprenticeship depends on the licence class you’re working toward:
- Class B: About 2 years
- Class A: About 4 years
Each year of your apprenticeship includes a period of in-school technical training—typically a few months—where you work through the theory, codes, and technical knowledge that supports what you’re learning on the job.
For example, Level 1 training typically covers:
- Safety fundamentals: PPE, WHMIS, and The Workplace Safety and Health Act
- Proper use of tools and equipment
- Blueprint reading
- Basic electricity as it applies to gas systems
- Gas codes and standards
STEP 4: PASS THE RED SEAL EXAM
At the completion of your apprenticeship, you’ll need to pass the interprovincial (Red Seal) exam to become a certified journeyperson gas fitter. Passing the Red Seal also makes your certification recognized across Canada, which significantly expands your employment options.
The Red Seal exam for gas fitters is a multiple-choice exam that tests your knowledge across the full scope of the trade. Topics include gas codes and regulations, combustion and gas theory, system design and installation, testing and troubleshooting, and safety procedures.
Tips for exam success:
- Review the Red Seal exam information from Apprenticeship Manitoba
- Use practice exams to identify knowledge gaps before test day
- Study your gas codes thoroughly, as code interpretation questions are common
- Don’t try to cram it all at the end—review materials consistently throughout your apprenticeship
- Connect with other apprentices or journeypersons who’ve recently written the exam for study tips and insight
STEP 5: APPLY FOR YOUR LICENCE
Once you’ve passed the Red Seal exam, the final step is applying for your gas fitter licence through Inspection and Technical Services, the provincial body that oversees gas fitter licensing.
You’ll need to submit your application along with documentation confirming your apprenticeship completion and exam results. Once approved, you’ll receive your licence and be authorized to work in the trade independently.
Keep in mind that gas fitter licences in Manitoba must be renewed periodically, so staying current with any continuing education or renewal requirements is part of maintaining your credentials throughout your career.
START YOUR GAS FITTING CAREER WITH CONFIDENCE
The path to a gas fitter licence in Manitoba is clear: meet the entry requirements, complete an apprenticeship, pass the Red Seal exam, and apply for your licence. From start to finish, you’re looking at two to four years—a relatively short investment for a career that offers long-term stability and work you can take pride in.
