Licensing guide · Quebec

How to Become a Blaster in Quebec

Last checked 2 sources checkedNOC 73402

Do you need certification?

Certification required

Blaster is a compulsory trade in Quebec. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Certificat de boutefeu, catégorie exploration minière et levés sismiques”

From quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle..., checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Certification required See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. Consult the guide for the registration form.

    Source
    “Consulter le Guide du formulaire d'inscription (PDF 521 Ko)”
    quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle...

  2. Complete the registration form.

    Source
    “Remplir le Formulaire d'inscription (PDF 721 Ko)”
    quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle...

  3. Send the form, required documents and payment of the applicable fees to the administrative centre.

    Source
    “Transmettre le formulaire, les documents requis et le paiement des droits exigibles en vertu de la tarification en vigueur”
    quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle...

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Experience

  • You must provide an employer attestation confirming at least six months of experience handling explosives, or an attestation of completion of relevant recognized training with a practical component.

    Source
    “une attestation d'employeur confirmant que vous avez un minimum de six mois d'expérience dans la manipulation d'explosifs”
    quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle...

Other

Already licensed in another province?

Extra steps

If you hold an equivalent certificate from another province or territory, the ministry may issue the qualification certificate while exempting you from the exam or other requirements of the apprenticeship program.

Source
“Si vous êtes titulaire d'un certificat équivalent délivré par une autre province, par un territoire canadien, ou encore par un autre organisme reconnu, le Ministère peut vous délivrer le certificat de qualification en vous exemptant de l'examen ou d'autres exigences du programme d'apprentissage.”
quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle...

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 73402, Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Quebec and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Quebec $28.00 $39.82 $47.00 Very limited (1 of 5)
Canada $27.00 $37.50 $49.00 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Quebec

Wages in every province and territory

Blasters in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 6 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

  • British Columbia Not confirmed yet
  • Alberta Certification required
  • Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
  • Manitoba Certification required
  • Ontario Voluntary certification
  • New Brunswick Voluntary certification
  • Nova Scotia Certification required
  • Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Certification required
  • Yukon Not confirmed yet
  • Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
  • Nunavut Not confirmed yet

Compare blaster licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Connaître les certificats de qualification obligatoire | Gouvernement du Québec quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle... · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Certificat de boutefeu, catégorie exploration minière et levés sismiques | Gouvernement du Québec quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle... · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a blaster in Quebec?

Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Quebec. Certification is managed by Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale.

Which exams are required?

examen de qualification.

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