Exemptions

Occasionally, a worker in the construction industry may be exempted from the obligation to hold a competency certificate issued by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ), upon application by the employer. If one of the following situations is applicable, as described in the Regulation respecting the issuance of competency certificates (R-20, r.5), an application may be made by downloading the form or by contacting Customer Services.

Qualification of an individual from outside Québec or intergovernmental agreement

Employers may make an application for exemption from the competency certificate-journeyman by supplying proof that the person holds – from outside of Québec – the skill to practise this trade. Download and fill out the following form. If this is your first contact with the CCQ as a worker, include this form with your application so that we can create your file.

Québec/Ontario Agreement

Employers may make an application for exemption from the occupation competency certificate by supplying proof that the person holds a authorization to practise the trade provided by an organization recognized in the intergovernmental agreement concluded between Québec and Ontario. Download and fill out the following form. If this is your first contact with the CCQ as a worker, include this form with your application so that we can create your file.

Québec/Newfoundland/Labrador Agreement

Employers may make an application for exemption from the occupation competency certificate by supplying proof that the person holds a authorization to practise the trade provided by an organization recognized in the intergovernmental agreement concluded between Québec and Newfoundland and Labrador. Download and fill out the following form. If this is your first contact with the CCQ as a worker, include this form with your application so that we can create your file.

Québec/New Brunswick Agreement

Employers may make an application for exemption from the occupation competency certificate by supplying proof that the person holds a authorization to practise the trade provided by an organization recognized in the intergovernmental agreement concluded between Québec and New Brunswick. Download and fill out the following form. If this is your first contact with the CCQ as a worker, include this form with your application so that we can create your file.

Apprenticeship outside of Québec

An employer may make an application for exemption from a competency certificate-apprentice by supplying proof that the individual is admitted to apprenticeship for the trade referred to under an apprenticeship program deemed equivalent to the one in Québec. Download and fill out the following form. If this is your first contact with the CCQ as a worker, include this form with your application so that we can create your file.

Exchange program

The employer may make an application for exemption from competency certificate by supplying proof that the person will do the work under an exchange program for labour-force vocational training. Download and fill out the following form. If this is your first contact with the CCQ as a worker, include this form with your application so that we can create your file.

Indispensable person

The employer may make an application for exemption from the competency certificate by supplying proof that the person is indispensable to performing specific construction work or that this person must train at least one employee holding a competency certificate so that this employee may perform this work in the future. Download and fill out the following form. If this is your first contact with the CCQ as a worker, include this form with your application so that we can create your file.

Child of the employer

The employer may make an application for exemption from the competency certificate for a child to ensure continuation of the company. Two exemptions for a child of the employer are issued per company. Download and fill out the following form. If this is your first contact with the CCQ as a worker, include this form with your application so that we can create your file.

To find out about the specifics of the trade of crane operator, click here.

Labour shortage

The employer may make an application for exemption from the competency certificate by supplying proof that no holder of a competency certificate with the required knowledge and skills is available to do the work. Download and fill out the following form. If this is your first contact with the CCQ as a worker, include this form with your application so that we can create your file.

New subjection

An application for exemption from competency certificate may made for a person who demonstrates that he or she has performed a minimum of 300 hours related to the trade over the twelve months preceding a new subjection. Download and fill out the following form. If this is your first contact with the CCQ as a worker, include this form with your application so that we can create your file. Please expect a delay of 15 days following the date that the properly filled-out application is received before you receive a response from the CCQ. Note also that the worker may not work in any capacity on a construction site until the CCQ has made a favourable decision. A separate form must be filled out for each individual for whom an exemption is sought. A fee of $100 to $110 is payable for each application.