How to Become a Blaster and Driller in Quebec
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Blaster and driller is a compulsory trade in Quebec. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
- Protected titles
- blaster-driller
Show the source
“Note that in the Québec construction industry, the professions of land surveyor instruments person (surveyor), blaster-driller, line worker, diver, welder, and pipe welder are considered “specialized occupations,” leading to an occupation competency certificate”
From ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/occu..., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps, listed one-time fees $100
- Trained outside Canada: 4 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Commission de la construction du Québec
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
Successfully complete a study program in the occupation that is recognized by the CCQ.
Source
“graduates who have successfully completed a study program recognized by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) in the occupation covered by the application can obtain an occupation competency certificate (OCC)”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/occu... -
Send the application form and all required supporting documents by mail to the CCQ or bring them to a regional office.
Source
“The form Application for registration or modification of identification file or choice of union association and all copies of supporting documents required must be sent by mail to the following address”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/occu... -
Once the application is approved, the competency certificate is sent by mail.
Source
“Once the application is approved, the competency certificate is sent by mail.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/occu...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Commission de la construction du Québec
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- Listed one-time fees: $100
- 1 step without a listed fee
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Obtain the Red Seal endorsement for the trade through the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program.
Source
“Find out how to obtain the Red Seal endorsement on the program’s website.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/exterieur-quebec/sceau-rouge -
Apply by mail or at a regional office with the completed forms, an official document, proof of passing the ASP Construction course, and payment of the fee.
- Application fee: $100
Source
“Payment of the $100 fee required (cheque, money order, credit card, debit card, or cash)”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/exterieur-quebec/sceau-rouge
Source
“The application must include: The form Application for registration or modification of identification file or choice of union association, duly filled out The form Application for Recognition of Professional Qualifications, duly filled out A photocopy of an official document from among the following list Proof that they have passed the course Santé et sécurité générale sur les chantiers de construction (ASP Construction) Payment of the $100 fee required”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/exterieur-quebec/sceau-rouge - Application fee: $100
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $100
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $100 | 100% |
| One-time total | $100 | 100% |
1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 0.7 months (only 1 of 4 steps state a time)
-
Send the application for preliminary analysis form with all required supporting documentation by email to the CCQ.
Source
“The form Application for preliminary analysis – Recognition of work hours (international recruitment) in tasks corresponding to an occupation and all the supporting documentation required must be sent to [email protected]”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/occu... -
The CCQ informs the candidate of its decision by email about 20 working days after receiving the completed form and documents.
Time: 20 daysTime source
“The CCQ will inform you of its decision by email about 20 working days after it receives the form, duly completed, and all the documents required.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/occu...Source
“The CCQ will inform you of its decision by email about 20 working days after it receives the form, duly completed, and all the documents required.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/occu... -
The application for issuance of the certificate can only be made after the candidate has arrived in Québec.
Source
“IMPORTANT: You may not apply until you have arrived in Québec, even if some steps have been initiated before you immigrate to Canada.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/occu... -
After the preliminary analysis is accepted, apply to the CCQ to obtain the occupation competency certificate.
Source
“After the preliminary analysis is accepted, you may apply to obtain an OCC from the CCQ.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/occu...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Commission de la construction du Québec
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
To register for the blaster examination, the candidate must have completed the vocational studies program Forage et dynamitage or have worked as a blaster’s assistant for at least 150 hours over the previous 24 months with written proof.
Source
“Have completed the vocational studies program Forage et dynamitage from the ministry responsible for education OR have worked as a blaster’s assistant for at least 150 hours over the previous 24 months (written proof required)”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/occu...To renew their certificate, holders with a diploma from a recognized program leading to blaster and driller must have taken and passed the Cours de connaissance générale de l'industrie de la construction.
Source
“Have taken and passed the Cours de connaissance générale de l'industrie de la construction”
ccq.org/en/formation-perfectionnement/obligation-formation
Experience
Individuals with at least 750 hours in work experience may apply for an occupation competency certificate.
Source
“Individuals who demonstrate that they have acquired at least 750 hours in work experience may apply for an occupation competency certificate (OCC).”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/occu...To renew their certificate, holders with a diploma from a recognized program leading to blaster and driller must have hours worked and declared to the CCQ in their apprenticeship trade during the 14 months prior to the renewal.
Source
“Have hours worked and declared to the CCQ in their apprenticeship trade during the 14 months prior to the renewal”
ccq.org/en/formation-perfectionnement/obligation-formation
Other
A woman or a person representing the diversity of Quebec society qualified for the job of blaster and driller who has never held a certificate can be issued an OCC without the employer having to provide an employment guarantee of 150 hours over three consecutive months or a letter of commitment.
Source
“Allow for the issuance of an Occupation Competency Certificate (OCC) to a woman or a person representing the diversity of Quebec society, if that person is qualified for the job of Survey instrument operator (surveyor), Blaster and driller, Line worker or Scuba diver (professional diver) and who has never held a certificate, without the employer having to provide an employment guarantee of 150 hours over three consecutive months or a letter of commitment.”
ccq.org/en/loi-r20/modernisation
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
Workers who have obtained the Red Seal endorsement have their skills in this trade recognized and may apply for a competency certificate from the CCQ without retaking an examination. Source
“Workers who have obtained the Red Seal endorsement have their skills in this trade recognized and may apply for a competency certificate from the CCQ’s Customer Services by mail or by going to one of the regional offices.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/exterieur-quebec/sceau-rouge
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Commission de la construction du Québec
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Commission de la construction du Québec
Exams
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provincial qualification examination
Source
“Apprentices are informed by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) that they are eligible for the provincial qualification examination in their trade when they have completed 85% of their apprenticeship.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm... -
blaster examination
Source
“The blaster examination is intended essentially to validate your knowledge and experience concerning blasting work or any other work necessitating the use of explosives.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/occu... -
Cours de connaissance générale de l’industrie de la construction (CCGIC)
Source
“However, to renew their OCC, they must, within their training obligation period, pass the CCGIC, which is divided into two separate training activities.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/occu...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Commission de la construction du Québec
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Commission de la construction du Québec
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Commission de la construction du Québec
Demand and pay
No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.
Blasters and drillers in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Occupation ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/occu... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Red Seal ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/exterieur-quebec/sceau-rouge · fetched October 10, 2026
- MODERNIZATION OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY (REFORM OF ACT R-20) ccq.org/en/loi-r20/modernisation · fetched October 10, 2026
- Training Requirement ccq.org/en/formation-perfectionnement/obligation-formation · fetched October 9, 2026
- Eligibility ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a blaster and driller in Quebec?
Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Quebec. Certification is managed by the Commission de la construction du Québec.
Which exams are required?
provincial qualification examination, blaster examination, Cours de connaissance générale de l’industrie de la construction (CCGIC).
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