Painter and Decorator

Painters and decorators apply decorative and protective finishes in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial settings. They prepare a variety of surfaces prior to the application of materials such as paint, high performance coatings, waterproofing, fireproofing, varnish, shellac, wall coverings and specialty finishes.

National Occupational Classification (NOC): 73112

Designation Year: 1964

Designated Red Seal in: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT
Trade title: Painter and Decorator, in AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, PE, SK, YT
Other titles used in provinces/territories: Painter (QC), Painter and Decorator - Commercial and Residential (ON)

Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) New

View the most recent standard. This is the complete description of the activities of the Painter and Decorator trade. Exams are currently under development.

Occupational Standard for current exams Previous

View the National Standard that is being used as the basis for the current Red Seal exams. New exams that are based on the new standard are currently under development.

Essential Skills

Please refer to the Essential Skills section of the trade’s Occupational Standard that describes the essential skills needed to succeed in this trade.

Job Market Reports

Find job market information such as wages, outlooks, education and skills needed at Explore Careers on the Job Bank website.

Sample Questions

Try the sample Painter and Decorator examination questions to prepare for your Red Seal examination.

Exam Information

Rate your experience and knowledge in the trade using the Self-Assessment Tool. Learn about how many questions there are on different topics on the Red Seal exam, the types of questions that are used, and examples of each type.

Ellis Chart

Consult the Ellis Chart for a full breakdown of apprenticeship data from across Canada for the trade of Painter and Decorator.