Aviator

You have to pass the provincial exams, apprenticeship or Red Seal to be a journeyman. The number of years experience may allow you challenge the exams, but without the passing the exams you are not a journeyman in Canada.

Novocastrian

A propos of nothing in particular, I don't think I've ever come across this phrase, "to challenge an exam", anywhere else than on this board.

Is it a Canadian expression or something that's crept into UK english in the last several decades?

Just curious.

JonboyE

It seems to be a common expression in BC. It refers to taking an exam without any of the usual prerequisites or courses of study. It is a common request from immigrants to quickly prove their knowledge/ability. Of course, the professional bodies don't like it at all because they earn quite a bit of income from selling courses.

Almost Canadian

You were not a journeyman. Your employer may have called you one but another employer wouldn't. A four pronged digging implement is still a fork, even if I choose to call it a spade

Aviator

If you have the required number of hours experience, rather than taking a prerequisite course, such as an apprenticeship, you can ask to 'challenge' i.e. write the exam only.

Novocastrian

Well, thanks, but that doesn't address my question.

I understand what it means, but is it a canadian expression or would it be understood in the UK today?

Steve_P

Apparently not just a Canadian expression.

It's also in use in Malta of all places. http://www.challengeexams.com/

Also U.S Department of Energy Berkeley Lab.

Aviator

No idea, I live in Canada, but nothing Google could not answer if they don't know.