Updated 13 November 2026
The NITA trade test is the national skills test that the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) uses to certify artisans such as masons, electricians, plumbers and mechanics at Grade III, Grade II and Grade I. NITA runs the tests three times a year: April for Grades I, II and III, August for Grades II and I, and December for Grade III, the entry level. About 50,000 candidates register each year, testing at more than 500 approved centres across Kenya. This guide explains the grades, how to book, what happens on test day and how to replace a lost certificate.
Updated 13 November 2026. Details come from the NITA trade testing page and NITA news releases on Recognition of Prior Learning, checked on 13 November 2026. NITA’s page does not list current test fees; confirm them at a NITA booking office.
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In this guide
NITA trade test at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who runs it | NITA’s Assessment and Certification Unit, under the Industrial Training Act (Cap. 237) and the 2011 amendment |
| Grades | Grade III (entry), Grade II, Grade I |
| Test series | April (Grades I, II, III); August (Grades II, I); December (Grade III) |
| Booking for the April series | 2 January to 2 March each year |
| Candidates | About 50,000 trade test candidates and 400 apprentices a year; over 39,000 sit Grade III |
| Test centres | More than 500 accredited institutions and workplaces |
| Test length | The exercise runs for two weeks at each series |
| Certificate replacement fee | KSh 5,000 |
NITA trade test grades and test series
NITA describes trade testing as a systematic way to evaluate the skills of an artisan or apprentice in a given trade. Each test is built from a test guideline or curriculum. A setter writes a paper with a working technical drawing showing what the candidate must produce by the end of the test, so the assessment is practical rather than a written exam.
- Grade III is the starting level. Most first-time candidates take it, and the December series is reserved for it. Over 39,000 people sit Grade III each year, with about 1,600 examiners and 60 supervisors engaged for the December exercise.
- Grade II is the next level, tested in April and August.
- Grade I is the highest trade test grade, also tested in April and August.
Candidates normally progress grade by grade as they gain experience, so plan your next level for the April or August series after you pass.
How to book a NITA trade test
- Get the prescribed trade test booking form from any NITA booking outlet. NITA’s website also links to an online exam booking portal.
- Read the testing booking form guidelines for the minimum requirements for your trade and grade.
- Fill in the form and attach the supporting documents it asks for. NITA validates each booking against these documents.
- Pay the test fee as directed at the booking office, and keep the receipt.
- Book within the window: for the April series, booking runs from 2 January to 2 March.
- Note your assigned test centre. NITA approves around 120 new centres a year to cut travel time for candidates.
Training first? Many candidates prepare through a TVET college or a NITA-registered trainer; see current TVET fees in Kenya and how TVET compares with other routes in KMTC vs university vs TVET.
Test day and results
Tests take place at the approved centre over the two-week series. Examiners come from NITA’s database of competent examiners, and NITA technical staff supervise closely. After the test, examiners submit results to NITA, where they are verified and entered into the database. Results are then printed and dispatched to the contact address each candidate gave on the booking form, so make sure your address and phone number are correct when you book.
Lost or damaged certificate? Apply to NITA for a replacement, submit documents that confirm your identity and match NITA’s records, and pay KSh 5,000 into NITA’s accounts as the replacement fee.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
Experienced workers who learnt on the job can be certified without going back to college through Recognition of Prior Learning. NITA accredits industry-expert assessors, approves work sites as industrial assessment centres, then assesses and certifies artisans. In November 2025, NITA said it had certified more than 1,200 artisans through RPL under the Affordable Housing Programme, with five, including a veteran mason from Machakos, receiving certificates from President William Ruto. NITA has also partnered with Nyandarua County to certify over 300 artisans. Apply through the RPL link on NITA’s website.
The housing programme is a big employer of certified artisans; see the affordable housing internship and Boma Yangu vs affordable housing for context.
Why the NITA trade test certificate matters
- Jobs and contracts: NITA presents certification as a way to give skilled workers formal recognition and make them more employable.
- Construction sites: building workers also need accreditation with the National Construction Authority; see NCA accreditation for construction workers.
- Working abroad: a national certificate gives recruiters proof of skill when you apply for jobs overseas.
- Pay: a higher grade is evidence for a higher rate when you negotiate.
Employers who pay the NITA training levy can also ask NITA to cover approved staff training, which can include preparing workers for trade tests.
Frequently asked questions
When is the NITA trade test done?
Three times a year: April (Grades I, II and III), August (Grades II and I) and December (Grade III only).
How do I book a NITA trade test?
Fill in the trade test booking form at a NITA booking outlet or through the NITA exam booking portal, attach the required documents and pay the fee. April-series booking runs from 2 January to 2 March.
Which is the highest NITA trade test grade?
Grade I. Candidates usually start at Grade III and move up to Grade II and then Grade I.
How much is a NITA certificate replacement?
KSh 5,000, paid into NITA’s accounts, after NITA confirms your documents against its records.
Can I get a NITA certificate without going to college?
Yes. Experienced artisans can be assessed and certified through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at approved work sites.
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