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, PE, SK, YT
Other titles used in provinces/territories: Painter and Decorator – Commercial and Residential (ON); Painter (QC); Painter Decorator (NU)
Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS)
View the most recent standard. This is the complete description of the activities of the Painter and Decorator trade. It is used as the basis for the Red Seal exams for this trade.
Skills for Success (Essential Skills)
Please refer to the Skills for Success (Essential Skills) section in 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.