Licensing guide · Quebec

How to Become a Carpenter in Quebec

Last checked 4 sources checkedNOC 72310

Do you need certification?

Certification required

Carpenter 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
  • 3 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $100

  1. The apprentice completes at least 85% of their apprenticeship, at which point the CCQ informs them they are eligible for the 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...

  2. The apprentice registers for the provincial qualification examination by contacting Customer Services with a credit card payment or by writing a letter to a regional office with a cheque or money order.

    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 OR Write a letter to their regional office indicating their interest in registering. They must give their client number and attach a cheque or postal money order for $100 made out to the Commission de la construction du Québec.”
    ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm...

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

    Source
    “Have passed the qualification examination”
    ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp...

  4. Apprentice candidates who have passed the provincial qualification examination automatically obtain their competency certificate free of charge.

    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%

3 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 the 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. The worker applies for a competency certificate from the CCQ by mail or at a regional office, submitting the required forms, an official identity document, proof of passing the health and safety course, and payment of the fee.

    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. 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

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

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

    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...

  2. The applicant completes the apprenticeship and then registers for and passes the provincial qualification examination to obtain the journeyman competency certificate.

    Source
    “Apprentices who have finished their apprenticeship ... Apprentices who have completed 85% of their apprenticeship.”
    ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm...

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.

Official page for this route

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.

Experience

  • Candidates who have practised the trade must demonstrate, with supporting documents, 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 licensed in another Canadian province who has obtained the Red Seal endorsement may apply for a CCQ competency certificate based on that endorsement.

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 72310, Carpenters. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Quebec and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Quebec $24.61 $36.84 $44.00 Limited (2 of 5)
Canada $22.00 $32.12 $44.23 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Quebec

Wages in every province and territory

Carpenters in other provinces and territories

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

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

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a carpenter 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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