Licensing guide · Quebec

How to Become a Boilermaker in Quebec

Last checked 4 sources checkedNOC 72103

Do you need certification?

Certification required

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

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Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“The journeyman competency certificate (JCC) indicates the trade and, if applicable, the specialty or activities of the trade that the person may practise.”

From ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp..., checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Certification required See the source
Routes
Annual fees

Your roadmap

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

Trained in Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $100
  • 4 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $100

  1. A graduate of a CCQ-recognized study program in the trade applies to the CCQ to obtain an apprentice competency certificate.

    Source
    “A graduate who has successfully completed a study program recognized by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) in the trade covered by the application can obtain an apprentice competency certificate (ACC).”
    ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/appr...

  2. The apprentice completes the apprenticeship in the trade, becoming eligible for the provincial qualification examination at 85% completion.

    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...

  3. The apprentice contacts Customer Services to set the exam date and location and pays the $100 registration fee.

    Source
    “Contact Customer Services at 1 888 842-8282 to determine the date and location of their examination. They must pay the $100 registration fee with a credit card”
    ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm...

  4. The apprentice takes and passes the provincial qualification examination in the trade.

    Source
    “Apprentice candidates who have passed their provincial qualification examination automatically obtain their competency certificate free of charge.”
    ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp...

  5. Apprentice candidates who pass the exam automatically obtain their competency certificate at no cost.

    Source
    “Apprentice candidates who have passed their provincial qualification examination automatically obtain their competency certificate free of charge.”
    ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp...

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $100

One-time fees listed for Trained in Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Exams $100 100%
One-time total $100 100%

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

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • Listed one-time fees: $100
  • 1 step without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $100

  1. The worker obtains a Red Seal endorsement in the trade through the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program.

    Source
    “The Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program has designated a list of trades and occupations for which workers may obtain Red Seal endorsement.”
    ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/exterieur-quebec/sceau-rouge
  2. 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

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $100

One-time fees listed for Licensed in another province, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Application $100 100%
One-time total $100 100%

1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 2 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $100
  • Listed time: 0.7 months (only 1 of 2 steps state a time)

  1. The CCQ emails its decision about 20 working days after receiving the completed form and all required documents.

    Time: 20 days
    Time source
    “The CCQ will send its decision to you 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/appr...
    Source
    “The CCQ will send its decision to you 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/appr...

  2. Once the preliminary analysis is accepted and the candidate has arrived in Québec, they may apply to obtain an apprentice competency certificate from the CCQ.

    Source
    “After the preliminary analysis is accepted, you may apply to obtain an ACC from the CCQ. IMPORTANT: This application can be made only once you arrive in Québec, even if some steps have been initiated before you immigrate to Canada.”
    ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/appr...

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Commission de la construction du Québec

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

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Other listed fees

The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.

  • Journeyman competency certificate fee: $100
    Source
    “Pay the required $100 fee to the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ), if applicable, by postal or bank money order, personal cheque, credit card, or debit card, or in cash if the application is presented at a CCQ Customer Services counter”
    ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp...

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Applicants for the apprentice competency certificate must have successfully completed a study program recognized by the CCQ in the trade.

    Source
    “A graduate who has successfully completed a study program recognized by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) in the trade covered by the application can obtain an apprentice competency certificate (ACC).”
    ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/appr...

Experience

  • Non-apprentice examination candidates must demonstrate work experience in hours worked and, if applicable, training credits at least equal to the total duration of the apprenticeship for the trade.

    Source
    “Candidates must demonstrate, with supporting documents, that they have practised a trade or specialty and acquired experience in hours worked and, if applicable, in training credits, at least equal to the total duration of the apprenticeship for the trade or specialty covered.”
    ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm...

Other

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

A worker who holds a Red Seal endorsement in the trade may apply for a CCQ competency certificate based on that endorsement without retaking an entry-to-practice 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

  1. Apply with Red Seal

    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

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with Commission de la construction du Québec

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with Commission de la construction du Québec

Compare scores across provinces and professions

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

Job Bank figures for NOC 72103, Boilermakers. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Quebec and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Quebec $42.00 $47.00 $48.95 Very limited (1 of 5)
Canada $37.66 $49.00 $54.57 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Quebec

Wages in every province and territory

Boilermakers in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 9 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare boilermaker licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Journeyperson ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp... · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Apprentice ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/appr... · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Eligibility ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm... · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. Red Seal ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/exterieur-quebec/sceau-rouge · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a boilermaker 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.

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