What is an RBQ Licence?

If you’re in the construction industry and live in Quebec, you may have heard of something called the RBQ. RBQ stands for “Regie du batiment du Quebec.” The organization is responsible for ensuring the quality of work and safety among construction workers in Quebec, Canada.

This organization handles laws and regulations in accordance with the construction industry and is in charge of all professional qualifications of contractors. And if you’re a contractor in Quebec, you’ll need to obtain your RBQ Licence. 

What is an RBQ Licence?

An RBQ license is a type of license distributed by the Régie du Bâtiment du Quebec to ensure safety and quality of work among construction workers. It also ensures that all renovations and installations are completed up to standards. The RBQ distributes a variety of different licenses, and the one needed will depend on which type of work is being completed. 

The four subcategories of license include:

• A general contractor or general owner-builder 
• Specialized contractor or specialized owner-builder
• Specialized contractor
• All subcategories

Each of these subcategories then contains a list of their own license types. For example, general contractor/General owner-builder includes licences for ski lift contractors, building mechanic contractors, small building contractors, and so forth.

You can see the complete list of licenses available on the RBQ website. 

Who needs to have an RBQ license?

In Quebec, you must have an RBQ license if you carry out any type of construction work. You must also have a license if you are having any contract work performed. With that being said, there are some exceptions to these rules.

Owner-builders, for example, do not need a license when using a specialized contractor who already holds all of the licenses required. Licenses are also not required for owner-builders who carry out renovations or maintenance estimated at $20, 000 or less on their own property. 

You can see a list of all license exemptions on the RBQ website. 

How do I obtain an RBQ license in Quebec?

There are several steps involved in obtaining your RBQ license. The first step of obtaining a licence is registering your business (if you have not already) with the REQ (Registraire des Entreprises du Québec). Note that you can skip this step if you are operating as a sole proprietorship (on your own and under your own name). 

Once you have registered your business and determined what type of licence you need (and if you need one), you’ll need to have a criminal record check performed on yourself and any officers or lenders of the company. If anyone within the company has a criminal record, this may affect your chances of obtaining a license. 

If everyone passes the criminal record check, you must then decide which type of financial guarantee you wish to purchase. You can select from license security or guarantee plans. These are not issued by the RBQ but can be purchased from various associations, companies, banking institutions, and/or insurance companies. 

In addition to all of the above, you must also prove your qualifications to perform construction work. To do so, you and all employees must undergo an evaluation of competency.

There are three different options for this. You can write the RBQ examinations, complete an RBQ training program, or present a professional file demonstrating your education and experience in several different fields, including administration, safety management, project management, and construction work. 

Finally, you can complete and submit your application form, along with any documents and fees, to the RBQ. 

In conclusion, it can be a lengthy process to obtain your RBQ license, but it is for the safety of each of you, your employees, and your customers.