What types of RBQ licenses are available for a builder-renovator?

There is no separate "builder-renovator permit" at the RBQ: the RBQ issues a contractor licence, and the subcategories listed on that licence determine the work you may perform. For a builder-renovator, the relevant subcategories are in Schedule I (category "General contractor or general owner-builder"):

• 1.1.1 — New residential buildings covered by a guarantee plan, class I: single-family detached, semi-detached or row houses, and multifamily buildings from duplex to quintuplex not held in divided co-ownership. The holder must join the guarantee plan and obtain an accreditation certificate from the GCR.
• 1.1.2 — New residential buildings covered by a guarantee plan, class II: multifamily buildings held in divided co-ownership, with at most four stacked private portions.
• 1.2 — Small buildings: buildings covered by Part 9 of the National Building Code (other than those in subcategories 1.1.1 and 1.1.2), and work performed as a subcontractor for a 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 holder.
• 1.3 — Buildings of all types: construction work on any building, including those in subcategory 1.2; new residential buildings covered by a guarantee plan are only authorized as a subcontractor for a 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 holder.

Fees (RBQ 2026 fee schedule) — a single general contractor licence covers these subcategories: issuance $1,291.69 (rights $884.54 + fees $407.15), annual maintenance $989.81, adding or replacing a subcategory $105.27. The licence surety is $40,000 for Schedule I subcategories ($20,000 for Schedules II and III).

Application requirements: choose the legal form and register the business with the Québec enterprise registrar; check the judicial record of directors and lenders; provide the licence surety (or join the guarantee plan for 1.1.1 and 1.1.2); qualify a respondent in the four qualification domains (administration, construction site safety management, project and site management, execution of construction work) through exams, recognized training or a professional portfolio; file the form with the fees. The RBQ requires no length of experience, and no liability insurance has to be filed with the RBQ.

Sources: RBQ, Liste des sous-catégories de licence (Schedule I); RBQ, Tarification pour l'entrepreneur de construction (2026); RBQ, Toutes les étapes à suivre pour obtenir une licence; RBQ FAQ Problèmes avec un entrepreneur — consulted October 18, 2026.