How to get an RBQ license as a plumber?

To obtain an RBQ plumber contractor license, you must follow these steps:

Steps:

1. Contractor licence (CMMTQ): apply for a plumbing contractor licence (subcategory 15.5); for plumbing and heating contractors this licence is issued by the CMMTQ, which runs the qualification exam for the person acting as guarantor for work execution
2. Competency certificate (CCQ): the people who perform the work must hold a competency certificate from the Commission de la construction du Québec (trade “Plumber (Pipe Fitter)”)
3. Guarantor qualification: the RBQ evaluates the company's professional skills in four qualification domains — administration, construction site safety management, project and site management, execution of construction work — by examination, through a recognized training program, or through a professional file
4. RBQ Application: submit an online application via the RBQ portal, with the following documents: guarantor qualification attestation, CCQ competency certificate, the guarantor's professional file where applicable, licence surety ($20,000 for a specialized contractor licence, $40,000 for a general contractor licence)
5. Qualification exams: for a contractor licence (general or specialized), you must pass the exams for the four qualification domains, including the administration exam; for subcategories 15.1 to 15.5, the exams are administered by the CMMTQ

Plumbing licence categories:

• Specialized contractor licence: the licence that carries subcategory 15.5, Plumbing contractor; licence issuance fees total $849.41, annual maintenance $547.53, licence surety $20,000
• General contractor licence: a separate licence category that includes, among others, subcategory 1.3, Buildings of all types; total $1,291.69, annual maintenance $989.81, surety $40,000

RBQ subcategory 2.1 is “Drilled wells”: it does not cover plumbing. Exam retake: $105.27; professional file: $877.49 per qualification domain (RBQ, Tarification pour l'entrepreneur de construction, 2026 rates, and Liste des sous-catégories de licence, consulted October 18, 2026).