If your Ontario 313A sitting uses rsexam.ca, you may find two different Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) instructions about the exam-day password. The current scheduling page says your personal password is not required and an invigilator can help if you are locked out. An older STO candidate PDF says to bring that password. Both were accessible on 2026-10-08. This is a source conflict to resolve with STO and your own confirmation, not an announced rule change.
What exactly do the two STO sources say?
The live scheduling page's “On Exam Day” section says the invigilator supplies the instructions and can help launch the exam if an account is locked or inactive. It expressly says the personal password is not required. The PDF, which describes a 2025 rollout and still refers to a Prometric testing site, says to bring the password and to fully sign out of a home device. Its exam-day wording does not match the current page. Do not merge the two into a new rule or assume the PDF's older steps control your booked sitting.
The exam-day checklist follows the current page. The account setup guide covers the separate 72-hour temporary-password window.
What should a booked candidate check before the exam?
Read your own confirmation to verify the location and whether it administers an online Red Seal sitting. Sign in beforehand to confirm the trade, session, time, duration and status displayed in rsexam.ca; STO asks candidates to contact it promptly if those details are missing or outdated. Use the practice interface to learn its controls. If your confirmation repeats the older password or sign-out instruction, or you remain unsure, ask STO which instructions govern your session before exam day. Its scheduling page lists Client Services at 1-855-299-0028.
Keep your account credentials private. Do not share them in a public discussion or with Examen Studio. The invigilator, not an unofficial article, directs the exam-day login.
Does this change what to study for 313A?
No exam-content change follows from the password discrepancy. Red Seal's trade page still labels the previous occupational standard as the basis for current exams and says exams for its newer standard are under development. Use the 313A exam guide and study planner for your preparation. Our free five-question sample is original, unofficial draft practice awaiting certified-mechanic review; it cannot predict a pass.
Sources
- Skilled Trades Ontario: exam schedulingCurrent online exam and invigilator guidance; checked 2026-10-08
- Skilled Trades Ontario: rsexam.ca candidate fact sheetOlder conflicting password and sign-out wording; checked 2026-10-08
- Red Seal: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning MechanicCurrent versus newer exam-standard status; checked 2026-10-08
Examen Studio is independent and not affiliated with the Red Seal Program or Skilled Trades Ontario. This article is a study aid; on the job, follow current codes, regulations and manufacturer instructions.