Quebec Trade Licensing Guide
Know what credentials to look for before you hire. Complete guide to trade licensing requirements in Quebec, including RBQ, CCQ, CMEQ, and CMMTQ credentials.
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Carpentry
Certificate AvailableCCQ for worker competency on regulated sites; RBQ for contractor licensing
Concrete Work
Licence RequiredCCQ for worker competency on regulated sites; RBQ for contractor licensing
Demolition Services
Licence RequiredRBQ for contractor licensing; CNESST for workplace safety; municipal building departments for permits
Excavation & Site Preparation
Licence RequiredRégie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) for contractor licensing; Info-Excavation for utility locates; CNESST for excavation safety; CCQ for construction workforce
Foundations
Licence RequiredRBQ for contractor licensing; OIQ for structural engineering design; municipal building departments for permits
General Construction
Licence RequiredRégie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) for contractor licensing; Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR) for new home warranty
Home Renovation
Licence RequiredRBQ for contractor licensing; CMEQ (electrical), CMMTQ (plumbing), MESS (gas); municipal building departments
Masonry
Certificate AvailableCCQ for worker competency on regulated sites; RBQ for contractor licensing
Outdoor Structures
No Licence RequiredRBQ for contractor licensing; municipal building departments for permits and zoning
Welding
Certificate AvailableCCQ for worker competency on regulated sites; CWB for structural certification
Electrical and Lighting
Licence RequiredCorporation des maîtres électriciens du Québec (CMEQ) for contractor licences; CCQ for worker competency certificates
Smart Home Installation
Licence RequiredBSP for security systems; CMEQ for line-voltage electrical work; MESS for gas appliance integration
Solar Panel Installation
Licence RequiredCMEQ for electrical work; Hydro-Québec for grid interconnection; RBQ for contractor licensing
Appliance Repair
Certificate AvailableMESS for gas appliance work; no specific regulatory body for general appliance repair
Cleaning Services
No Licence RequiredRegistraire des entreprises du Québec (business registration)
Computer Services
No Licence RequiredNone; voluntary certifications from CompTIA, Microsoft, Apple, and Cisco
General Handyman
No Licence RequiredNone for general handyman work
HVAC
Licence RequiredCMMTQ/RBQ for contractor licences; MESS for gas fitting and refrigeration mechanic certificates of qualification
Pest Control
Licence RequiredMinistère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP)
Bathroom Maintenance
No Licence RequiredCMMTQ for plumbing work; CMEQ for electrical work
Bathroom Upgrade
No Licence RequiredCMMTQ (plumbing), CMEQ (electrical), RBQ (contractor licensing), municipal building departments
Cabinetry
Certificate AvailableRBQ for contractor licensing (when applicable)
Drywall Installation
Certificate AvailableCCQ for worker competency on regulated sites; RBQ for contractor licensing
Flooring and Tile Setting
Certificate AvailableCCQ for worker competency on regulated sites; RBQ for contractor licensing
Interior Decorating & Home Staging
No Licence RequiredNone (unregulated); voluntary credentials through decorating and staging associations
Interior Design
No Licence RequiredAssociation professionnelle des designers d'intérieur du Québec (APDIQ) - voluntary membership
Kitchen
No Licence RequiredCMEQ (electrical), CMMTQ (plumbing), MESS (gas), RBQ (contractor licensing), municipal building departments
Painting
Certificate AvailableCCQ for worker competency on regulated sites; RBQ for contractor licensing
Textile & Upholstery Services
No Licence RequiredNone (unregulated trade)
Deck and Patio
Licence RequiredRBQ for contractor licensing; municipal building departments for permits
Fencing
No Licence RequiredMunicipal building departments; Quebec Construction Code for pool fencing
Garage & Driveway
No Licence RequiredRBQ for contractor licensing; CMEQ for electrical work; municipal building departments
Landscaping
No Licence RequiredMELCCFP for pesticide application; municipal bylaws vary by city
Lawn & Yard Maintenance
No Licence RequiredMELCCFP for pesticide application; municipal bylaws vary by city
Paving
No Licence RequiredRBQ for contractor licensing; municipal bylaws
Tree Services
No Licence Required
Plumbing
Licence RequiredCorporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec (CMMTQ) for contractor licences; CCQ for worker competency certificates
Pool Installation & Construction
Licence RequiredRBQ for contractor licensing; CMEQ (electrical); MESS (gas heaters); municipal building departments
Pool Maintenance
No Licence RequiredMESS (gas-fired pool heaters); CMEQ (pool electrical); municipal bylaws (fencing and safety)
Water Well Services
Licence RequiredMinistère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP); RBQ for contractor licensing
Architectural Services
Licence RequiredOrdre des architectes du Québec (OAQ)
Elevator Installation and Repair
Licence RequiredRégie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ)
Energy Efficiency Services
Licence RequiredNatural Resources Canada (NRCan) for residential; Transition énergétique Québec (TEQ) for provincial programs
Engineering Services
Licence RequiredOrdre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ)
Inspection Services
Licence RequiredRégie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) for the residential building inspector certificate (mandatory from October 1, 2027); Association des inspecteurs en bâtiments du Québec (AIBQ) for voluntary membership; BNQ 3009-500 inspection standard
Moving Services
No Licence RequiredOffice de la protection du consommateur (OPC) for contract compliance; Canadian Association of Movers (voluntary membership)
Surveying Services
Licence RequiredOrdre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec (OAGQ)
Doors
No Licence RequiredRBQ for contractor licensing (structural changes); CMEQ for electrical work; municipal building departments
Glazing and Window Treatments
Certificate AvailableCCQ for worker competency on regulated sites; RBQ for contractor licensing
Gutter Installation and Repair
No Licence RequiredRBQ for contractor licensing; CNESST for workplace safety
Insulation
No Licence RequiredCCQ for worker competency on regulated sites; RBQ for contractor licensing; CUFCA for spray foam standards
Roofing
Licence RequiredCCQ for worker competency on regulated sites; RBQ for contractor licensing
Siding Installation
Licence RequiredRBQ for contractor licensing; CNESST for workplace safety
Fire and Smoke Restoration
No Licence RequiredIICRC for industry certification standards; RBQ for any reconstruction contractor licensing; CNESST for worker safety
Hazardous Material Removal
Licence RequiredCNESST for occupational health and safety; RBQ for contractor licensing
Independent Living
No Licence RequiredRBQ for contractor licensing; respective trade regulators for compulsory trades; Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec for OT assessments
Locksmithing
Licence RequiredBureau de la sécurité privée (BSP) du Québec
Security Services
Licence RequiredBureau de la sécurité privée (BSP) du Québec
Water Damage Restoration
No Licence RequiredIICRC for industry certification standards; RBQ for contractor licensing (if reconstruction involved)
Side by side
Quick Reference
Compare licensing requirements across all Quebec trades at a glance
| Trade | Type |
|---|---|
| Carpentry | Voluntary Trade |
| Concrete Work | Compulsory Trade |
| Demolition Services | Compulsory Trade |
| Excavation & Site Preparation | Compulsory Trade |
| Foundations | Compulsory Trade |
| General Construction | Compulsory Trade |
| Home Renovation | Compulsory Trade |
| Masonry | Voluntary Trade |
| Outdoor Structures | Unregulated Trade |
| Welding | Voluntary Trade |
| Electrical and Lighting | Compulsory Trade |
| Smart Home Installation | Regulated Profession |
| Solar Panel Installation | Compulsory Trade |
| Appliance Repair | Voluntary Trade |
| Cleaning Services | Unregulated Trade |
| Computer Services | Unregulated Trade |
| General Handyman | Unregulated Trade |
| HVAC | Compulsory Trade |
| Pest Control | Regulated Profession |
| Bathroom Maintenance | Unregulated Trade |
| Bathroom Upgrade | Unregulated Trade |
| Cabinetry | Voluntary Trade |
| Drywall Installation | Voluntary Trade |
| Flooring and Tile Setting | Voluntary Trade |
| Interior Decorating & Home Staging | Unregulated Trade |
| Interior Design | Unregulated Trade |
| Kitchen | Unregulated Trade |
| Painting | Voluntary Trade |
| Textile & Upholstery Services | Unregulated Trade |
| Deck and Patio | Compulsory Trade |
| Fencing | Unregulated Trade |
| Garage & Driveway | Unregulated Trade |
| Landscaping | Unregulated Trade |
| Lawn & Yard Maintenance | Unregulated Trade |
| Paving | Unregulated Trade |
| Tree Services | Unregulated Trade |
| Plumbing | Compulsory Trade |
| Pool Installation & Construction | Compulsory Trade |
| Pool Maintenance | Unregulated Trade |
| Water Well Services | Regulated Profession |
| Architectural Services | Regulated Profession |
| Elevator Installation and Repair | Compulsory Trade |
| Energy Efficiency Services | Regulated Profession |
| Engineering Services | Regulated Profession |
| Inspection Services | Regulated Profession |
| Moving Services | Unregulated Trade |
| Surveying Services | Regulated Profession |
| Doors | Unregulated Trade |
| Glazing and Window Treatments | Voluntary Trade |
| Gutter Installation and Repair | Unregulated Trade |
| Insulation | Unregulated Trade |
| Roofing | Compulsory Trade |
| Siding Installation | Compulsory Trade |
| Fire and Smoke Restoration | Unregulated Trade |
| Hazardous Material Removal | Regulated Profession |
| Independent Living | Unregulated Trade |
| Locksmithing | Regulated Profession |
| Security Services | Regulated Profession |
| Water Damage Restoration | Unregulated Trade |
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RBQ and why does it matter?
The Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) is the provincial body that licenses construction contractors. In Quebec, contractors performing construction work must hold an RBQ licence. You can verify any contractor's licence on the RBQ's online Licence Holders' Registry at rbq.gouv.qc.ca.
What is the CCQ?
The Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) manages worker competency certificates for the construction industry. Workers on regulated construction sites must hold a CCQ competency certificate (apprentice or journeyman). The CCQ oversees apprenticeship training, labour relations, and workforce standards in Quebec's construction industry.
What trades are compulsory in Quebec?
Quebec has 15 compulsory trades that require a licence to practise. Electrical work requires a CMEQ licence (Corporation des maîtres électriciens du Québec), plumbing requires a CMMTQ licence (Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec), and gas fitting requires an MESS certificate of qualification.
How can I verify a contractor's RBQ licence?
Visit the RBQ's online Licence Holders' Registry at rbq.gouv.qc.ca and search by the contractor's licence number or name. The registry shows the licence status, subclasses held, and any restrictions. Always verify before hiring.
What is a Red Seal endorsement?
The Red Seal Program is an interprovincial standard that allows certified tradespeople to work across Canada without additional testing. A tradesperson with a Red Seal endorsement has met a nationally recognized standard of competency. Not all trades offer Red Seal endorsement.
Do I need a building permit for renovations in Quebec?
Building permits are required for most work involving structural changes, plumbing, electrical, or HVAC modifications. Cosmetic work (painting, flooring replacement, fixture swaps) typically does not require a permit. Requirements vary by municipality. Your contractor should know what permits are needed.
What is the difference between the CMEQ and the CMMTQ?
The CMEQ (Corporation des maîtres électriciens du Québec) issues licences for electrical contractors. The CMMTQ (Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec) issues licences for plumbing and heating contractors. Both act as mandataries of the RBQ, meaning they have been delegated the authority to issue licences in their respective fields.
Important disclaimer
- This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or professional advice.
- Licensing rules vary by trade and project and change over time. Always confirm requirements directly with the relevant regulator (for example ESA, TSSA, RBQ, CMEQ, CMMTQ, BSP, Skilled Trades Ontario, or PEO) before relying on this information.
- This site is not affiliated with any municipal, provincial, or federal government body.
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