How to Become a Concrete Finisher in Quebec
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Concrete finisher 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
“The labour management by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) is done through labour pools corresponding to the industry’s trades and occupations.”
From ccq.org/en/En-tete/qui-sommes-nous/mission, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 6 steps, listed one-time fees $100
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps, listed one-time fees $100
- Trained outside Canada: 4 steps
- Annual fees
-
- Certificate renewal fee: $100
Source
“Pay the required $100 fee, if applicable (cheque, postal money order, credit card, debit card, or cash)”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp...
- Certificate renewal fee: $100
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 6 done
- Listed one-time fees: $100
- 5 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $100
-
Successfully complete a study program in the trade that is recognized by the CCQ.
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... -
Submit the application form and all required supporting documents by mail or at a regional office to obtain an apprentice competency certificate.
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/appr... -
Work through the apprenticeship, which is calculated in hours and divided into apprenticeship periods of 2,000 hours each.
Source
“Apprenticeship in a trade in the construction industry is calculated in hours in the trade and in hours of training and upgrading. The duration of the apprenticeship is divided into apprenticeship periods of 2,000 hours each.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/appr... -
Register for the provincial qualification examination by contacting Customer Services with payment or by letter with payment, or register when obliged at the end of the apprenticeship.
- Exam registration fee: $100
Source
“They must pay the $100 registration fee with a credit card”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm...
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... - Exam registration fee: $100
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Take and pass 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... -
After passing the exam, apprentice candidates automatically receive their journeyman 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
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | $100 | 100% |
| One-time total | $100 | 100% |
5 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.
- Certificate renewal fee: $100
Source
“Pay the required $100 fee, if applicable (cheque, postal money order, credit card, debit card, or cash)”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp...
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- Listed one-time fees: $100
- 1 step without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $100
-
Obtain the Red Seal endorsement for 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 -
Apply to the CCQ’s Customer Services by mail or at a regional office with the required forms, an official document, proof of passing the safety 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
“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 - 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.
Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Certificate renewal fee: $100
Source
“Pay the required $100 fee, if applicable (cheque, postal money order, credit card, debit card, or cash)”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp...
Trained outside Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $100
- Listed time: 0.7 months (only 1 of 4 steps state a time)
-
Send the application for preliminary analysis form and all required documentation by email to have work hours and training hours recognized.
Time: 20 daysTime 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 form Application for preliminary analysis – Recognition of work hours and training hours (international recruitment) for a trade (except crane operator) and all the documentation required must be sent to [email protected]”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/appr... -
After the preliminary analysis is accepted and once you have arrived in Québec, 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... -
Complete the 30-hour general health and safety course on construction sites offered through schools or industry associations.
Source
“The 30-hour course Santé et sécurité générale sur les chantiers de construction is offered through the schools in the different school boards or through the construction industry’s employer and union associations.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/appr... -
Complete the apprenticeship and register for and pass the provincial qualification examination to obtain the journeyman competency certificate.
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...
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.
Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Certificate renewal fee: $100
Source
“Pay the required $100 fee, if applicable (cheque, postal money order, credit card, debit card, or cash)”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp...
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.
- Exam registration fee (employer or individual route): $100 (paid after the file analysis is accepted to complete registration for the provincial qualification examination)
Source
“If the application is accepted, a $100 fee will be required to complete registration for the provincial qualification examination.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm... - Journeyman 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
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
Applicants must be at least 16 years old to obtain a journeyman competency certificate.
Source
“Be at least 16 years old”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp...Applicants must have a social insurance number and provide their home address.
Source
“Have a social insurance number”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp...Applicants must provide a photocopy of an official document from the CCQ’s list.
Source
“Provide a photocopy of an official document from among the following list:”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp...Applicants must demonstrate that they have passed the general health and safety course on construction sites.
Source
“Demonstrate that they have passed the course Santé et sécurité générale sur les chantiers de construction”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp...
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
Workers licensed in another province must obtain the Red Seal endorsement and then apply to the CCQ for a competency certificate with the required documents and 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.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/exterieur-quebec/sceau-rouge
Obtain Red Seal endorsement
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-rougeApply for CCQ certificate
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
-
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...
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
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $28.00 | $38.00 | $43.00 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $24.50 | $34.00 | $43.47 | — |
Concrete finishers in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- A mission anchored in Québec law ccq.org/en/En-tete/qui-sommes-nous/mission · fetched October 9, 2026
- Apprentice ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/appr... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Eligibility ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Journeyperson ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/comp... · fetched October 10, 2026
- 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 concrete finisher 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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