Manitoba's Electrology Moratorium
Since 2019, a moratorium has prevented new people from entering the electrology trade in Manitoba. No new apprentices. No trade qualification applications. No pathway forward.
What You Need to Know
Apprenticeship Manitoba Recommended De-designation
In 2023, Apprenticeship Manitoba's own board meeting minutes confirmed that de-designation had previously been recommended, yet the moratorium remained in place.
A National Certification Pathway Already Exists
Electrologists can be certified through a recognized national organization, meaning there is already a professional standard available outside Manitoba's current blocked apprenticeship pathway.
Manitoba Appears to Be the Exception in Canada
Other Canadian provinces do not appear to require a compulsory trade certificate for electrologists, making Manitoba's ongoing freeze an unusual barrier to entry.
What Is the Moratorium?
In 2019, Apprenticeship Manitoba placed a moratorium on the electrology trade — a regulatory hold that effectively closed the door to anyone seeking to enter the profession in Manitoba.
Electrology is a regulated skilled trade in Manitoba under the Apprenticeship and Certification Act. Electrologists use low-level electrical current to permanently remove unwanted hair. It is the only method of permanent hair removal recognized by Health Canada.
The moratorium was intended as a temporary measure while the trade underwent review. Years later, no new pathway has been opened, no review outcome has been published, and no timeline has been communicated to the public or the industry.
The result: Manitoba's electrologist workforce is aging out of the profession with no replacement, and Manitobans are losing access to a regulated, medically relevant service.
2023 Recommendation Went Unanswered
In November 2023, Apprenticeship Manitoba's own board meeting minutes confirmed that a recommendation for de-designation had already been approved in 2019, but had not received ministerial approval. Instead, a moratorium was placed on new electrologist apprenticeship applications, leaving the freeze in place for four years with no clear path forward. This means the issue was identified, reviewed, and brought back for next steps — yet Manitoba electrologist applicants remained blocked from entering the trade.
See section 3.3
View Meeting MinutesWhat the Moratorium Prevents
The current moratorium creates no clear pathway for any of the following:
The Key Statement
Manitoba Is The Only Province Blocking New Electrologists
Compare Manitoba to other provinces. Manitoba is the only province with this kind of freeze on new electrologist registration. We are asking for change, transparency, and a reasonable path forward. This is not acceptable, and Manitobans deserve action now.
Practical, Reasonable Changes
We are not asking for the elimination of standards — we are asking for a fair and functioning pathway into the profession.
6+ Years Without a Path Forward
A chronology of Manitoba's electrology moratorium — from the initial regulatory freeze to today's unresolved standstill.
Moratorium Begins
Apprenticeship Manitoba places a moratorium on the electrology trade, halting all new apprenticeship registrations and trade qualification applications.
Trade Under Review
The moratorium was described as a temporary hold while the trade underwent a formal review. No outcomes, timelines, or public updates were communicated to practitioners or the public.
Existing Practitioners Age Out
With no new entrants permitted, Manitoba's certified electrologist workforce begins to shrink through retirements and closures, with no replacement pathway available.
Business Succession Blocked
Retiring electrology clinic owners discover they cannot legally sell or transfer their trade certification to successors, putting decades-old businesses at risk of permanent closure.
Apprenticeship Manitoba Recommended De-designation
During a board meeting in November 2023, Apprenticeship Manitoba recommended de-designation. The relevant portion of the minutes states the following: 3.3 Trade of Electrologist Review The Manager of Policy, Legislation and Board Operations reviewed the trade of Electrologist. In 2018, the Board reviewed the trade and in 2019 approved a recommendation to the Minister to de-designation following a review of the trade. The Minister placed a moratorium on new Electrologist apprenticeship applications, which has been in effect for four years. The trade has not received approval for de-designation since that time. Therefore, it was determined that the trade should be addressed to consider next steps. Comments: The Manager of Policy, Legislation and Board Operations advised the Board that the Service Sector Committee recommended that the Board amend the trade regulation to include a supervision exception, which would allow an apprentice to enter into an apprenticeship agreement in the trade without the need to be supervised by a certified journeyperson, if minimum requirements are met.
See section 3.3
No Timeline Published
Apprenticeship Manitoba confirms there is "no confirmed timeline for reinstating certification." Manitoba remains the only province in Canada blocking new electrologists from entering the field.
Advocacy Campaign Launches
Affected practitioners, aspiring electrologists, and community members launch a public advocacy campaign calling on the Manitoba government to lift the moratorium and restore access to the trade.
Still No Resolution
Over 6 years since the moratorium began, there is still no clear pathway for new electrologists, no published review outcome, and no timeline for change. Manitoba continues to stand alone.
Electrologist Certification Requirements Across Canada
Across Canada, electrology is generally treated as a private training/certification-based profession. Manitoba is the major exception because electrologist is a compulsory certified trade, and new applications are currently paused under a provincial moratorium.
| Province | Licence / Trade Cert Required? | Training / Certification | Required / Typical Training Hours | New Practitioners Can Enter? | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manitoba | YES — compulsory trade certification | Must hold a Certificate of Qualification, temporary permit, be in approved training, or be otherwise authorized under regulation | 1,000 hours over at least 12 months, including practical experience and technical training. However, new applications are currently paused, so there is no clear pathway forward for new entrants. | NO / LIMITED | Manitoba is the only province identified with compulsory provincial trade certification tied to the legal right to practise |
Ontario | NO provincial electrologist licence found | Usually requires certification from an electrologist educational/training institution | No provincial minimum found. Electrologists usually require certification from an electrology training institution. FCEA national certification standard is 500 hours. | YES | Training/certification is generally expected, but no compulsory provincial electrologist trade licence found |
British Columbia | NO provincial electrologist licence found | Usually requires certification from an electrologist educational/training institution | No provincial minimum found. Electrologists usually require certification from an electrology training institution. Some Canadian private programs list 320 hours; FCEA standard is 500 hours. | YES | Private training and association membership may be used professionally, but no compulsory provincial electrologist licence found |
Alberta | NO | Certification is not legally required; voluntary FCEA certifications are available | No provincial minimum found. Certification is not legally required in Alberta. Private programs may be around 300 hours; FCEA standard is 500 hours. | YES | Alberta specifically states there is no legislation regulating this occupation |
Saskatchewan | NO provincial electrologist licence found | Usually requires certification from an electrologist educational/training institution | No provincial minimum found. Electrologists usually require certification from an electrology training institution. FCEA standard is 500 hours. | YES | No compulsory provincial electrologist licence found |
Quebec | NO provincial electrologist licence found | Usually requires certification from an electrologist educational/training institution | FCEA is not active in Quebec. Instead, Quebec has its own professional organization, APESEQ, which represents the broader esthetics industry. APESEQ appears to be a strong, unified, and well-respected organization that supports professionals across multiple areas of esthetics, including electrology. | YES | No compulsory provincial electrologist licence found |
Nova Scotia | NO provincial electrologist licence found | Usually requires certification from an electrologist educational/training institution | No provincial minimum found. Atlantic association membership references 300–500 hours of electrolysis training. | YES | Maritime association membership/training standards may apply voluntarily |
New Brunswick | NO provincial electrologist licence found | Usually requires certification from an electrologist educational/training institution | No provincial minimum found. Atlantic association membership references 300–500 hours of electrolysis training. | YES | Maritime association membership/training standards may apply voluntarily |
Prince Edward Island | NO provincial electrologist licence found | Usually requires certification from an electrologist educational/training institution | No provincial minimum found. Atlantic association membership references 300–500 hours of electrolysis training. | YES | Maritime association membership/training standards may apply voluntarily |
Newfoundland & Labrador | NO provincial electrologist licence found | Usually requires certification from an electrologist educational/training institution | No provincial minimum found. Atlantic association membership references 300–500 hours of electrolysis training. | YES | Maritime association membership/training standards may apply voluntarily |
Key Finding
Manitoba appears to be the only Canadian province where electrology is a compulsory certified trade and where new entrants are blocked by a current moratorium. In most other provinces, electrologists usually complete private training/certification, but there is no equivalent provincial freeze preventing new practitioners from entering the field.
General national standard: The Federation of Canadian Electrolysis Associations describes Certified Electrologist training as a 500-hour program, including 300 theory hours, 200 practical hours, and a written examination.
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Manitoba Is Falling Behind. Since 2019: No Clear Public Timeline.
Manitoba is the Only Province Blocking New Electrologists & Stifling New Businesses