How many questions is the Plumber Red Seal exam?

125 multiple-choice questions across 7 Major Work Activities, set by the Red Seal Occupational Standard and identical in every province.

Red Seal Pass › Plumber › Alberta

Plumber Red Seal Exam in Alberta

Q: Do I need a Red Seal certificate to work as a Plumber in Alberta?

Yes. Alberta lists this trade as compulsory (Plumber), so to perform restricted activities a worker must be a registered apprentice under supervision, a certified journeyperson, or hold a recognized trade certificate.

Certifying authority: Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT). Last checked 2026-09-10.

Certification is required in Alberta

This trade is on Alberta’s compulsory list as Plumber. Under Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (Tradesecrets), to perform restricted activities a worker must be a registered apprentice under supervision, a certified journeyperson, or hold a recognized trade certificate.

Source: Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (Tradesecrets) — Compulsory Certification Trades

Whether it is required or not, the exam itself is the same paper everywhere in Canada. What your province decides is whether you must hold the certificate, how you apply, and where you sit it.

The exam: 125 questions, 7 Major Work Activities

The Red Seal Occupational Standard sets the split below. It does not change by province.

Major Work Activity	Weighting	Questions
MWA A: Performs common occupational skills	11%	14 Qs
MWA B: Prepares and assembles tube, tubing and pipe	10%	13 Qs
MWA C: Installs, tests and services sewers, sewage treatment systems and drainage, waste and vent (DWV) systems	26%	32 Qs
MWA D: Installs, tests and services water service and distribution	19%	24 Qs
MWA E: Installs, tests and services fixtures, appliances and water treatment systems	14%	17 Qs
MWA F: Installs, tests and services low-pressure steam and hydronic systems	13%	16 Qs
MWA G: Installs, tests and services specialized systems	7%	9 Qs

Source: Red Seal Exam Breakdown — Plumber, red-seal.ca

Time allowed and pass mark

4 hours, and a 70% pass mark. These are set provincially rather than by the Red Seal standard, and the four hours is the same whether your paper is 100 or 150 questions.

Confirmed against Skilled Trades Ontario’s Exam Preparation Guide and SkilledTradesBC. Check your own authority before exam day.

Where you write it in Alberta

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) — Edmonton, AB
Main testing center for Northern Alberta
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) — Calgary, AB
Primary testing center for Southern Alberta
Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) — Red Deer, AB
Central Alberta regional examination center
Lethbridge College — Lethbridge, AB
Southern Alberta regional trades testing hub
Keyano College — Fort McMurray, AB
Wood Buffalo region heavy equipment & industrial testing facility

Booking is handled by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT); confirm current locations and dates with them.

Preparing for it

Our Plumber bank is built to the weighting above, with a worked explanation on every question.

Start Plumber practice questions → Take the full 125-question timed mock exam →