Rules and sources
The law and the regulator pages behind each check, in plain words, with links to the originals. Last reviewed October 29, 2026. This is a guide to the sources, not legal advice; the sources win if we have summarized them badly.
Skilled trades
Who must be licensed. In Ontario's compulsory trades (electricians, plumbers, steamfitters, sheet metal workers, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, crane operators, most motive power trades and others), a person may do the work only if they hold a Certificate of Qualification or are a registered apprentice. Employers and contractors may not have anyone else do that work.
Who checks. Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development inspectors. Workers must carry proof of their certificate or apprenticeship and produce it when asked. From October 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027, inspectors are concentrating on electrical, sheet metal, plumbing and motive power work. They can check certificates on any visit at any time.
What the employer can do. The Ministry's own page says employers can check a worker's certificate or apprenticeship on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register. Some exempt people, such as students in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, may not appear on it, so a missing name is a question to ask, not a verdict.
Sources
- Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021 (e-Laws)
- O. Reg. 877/21: General, under the Act (e-Laws)
- Compulsory trades and enforcement (ontario.ca): what inspectors check, what workers must carry, the current initiative
- Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register: the register we check
Licensed child care
Who must be registered. Only members of the College of Early Childhood Educators may use the title early childhood educator or RECE. Licensed child care centres must have qualified staff in each group, and the Ministry's licensing manual treats a member in good standing on the College's public register as qualified.
Who checks. Ministry of Education program advisors at licensing inspections, and the municipal service managers that administer funding. Wage enhancement and CWELCC workforce compensation funding apply only to RECEs; operators sign a declaration and funders can audit and recover ineligible amounts.
What the employer can do. The College tells employers to check its public register regularly, says it does not notify employers when a member's status changes, and says employers may use the register to verify that staff are members in good standing.
Sources
- Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (e-Laws)
- O. Reg. 137/15: General, staffing and qualification rules (e-Laws)
- Child care centre licensing manual, Part 8: Staff qualifications (ontario.ca)
- Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007, which created the College (e-Laws)
- College of Early Childhood Educators, Employer Bulletin: the Public Register (PDF)
- College of Early Childhood Educators public register: the register we check
- Example funding guideline: Peel Region 2026 CWELCC centre-based guideline (PDF); your own service manager publishes its own
Security guards
Who must be licensed. Anyone working as a security guard or private investigator in Ontario needs a licence from the Ministry of the Solicitor General, and the agency employing them needs a business licence. Guards must carry their licence while working.
Who checks. The Private Security and Investigative Services Branch of the Ministry of the Solicitor General, which inspects agencies and registered employers and can lay charges under the Act.
What the employer can do. The Ministry runs a public registry where individual and agency licences can be looked up by number or exact name.
Sources
- Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (e-Laws)
- Ontario private security licence registry: the registry we would check once the Branch has confirmed the checks in writing
GoodStanding reports what each register shows on the day we check. Whether someone may work stays the employer's decision under the law above. If a result matters, confirm it with the regulator before acting on it.