By law, you must qualify to practise a regulated trade or occupation.
The regulations pertaining to the practice of these trades and occupations are intended to protect the health and safety of workers and the public. They also aim to govern the practice of these trades and occupations.
In addition, regulated trades or occupations are governed by different organizations depending on their sector of activity.
As an employer or prospective worker, you are responsible for verifying the requirements for obtaining a permit, licence or certificate of qualification.
Compulsory qualification
The compulsory qualification requirement concerns trades and occupations that are not regulated by the construction sector.
Certain trades and occupations require a certificate of qualification issued by the Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale. You can find information specific to each certificate of qualification by browsing the lists in the Learn About Compulsory Certificates of Qualification page.
To find out how to obtain such a certificate, visit the Process to Obtain a Compulsory Certificate of Qualification page.
Employers must ensure that they hire people with the required certificates of qualification.
To check whether your business is subject to a qualification obligation or not, use the qualification tool 
(in French only).
Construction trades
The Commission de la construction du Québec ensures the competence of the workforce in 25 construction trades and 6 construction-related occupations. The trades require an apprenticeship process that is determined by regulation, but not the occupations, which are construction site activities related to the construction trades.
To be eligible to practise a trade related to gas (natural gas and propane), the operation and supervision of stationary machines and the inspection of pressure vessels, you must hold a certificate of qualification issued by the Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale.
Visit the Commission de la construction du Québec website for more information about certificates of competency, regulated trades, and occupations.
Construction work licences
A licence from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec is required to perform or have performed certain construction work.
Having a contractor's or owner-builder's licence issued by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec does not exempt a person from the obligation to obtain a certificate of qualification from the Ministère de l 'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale for construction work.
You can consult the categories and subcategories of licences on the website of the Régie du bâtiment du Québec .
Professional orders
In Québec, there are 55 occupations governed by the Professional Code.
In particular, professional orders have the mandate to
- Ensure the protection of the public
- Regulate and supervise the exercise of an occupation
- Promote the development of the occupation
You can consult the list of occupations by sector of activity on the website of the Office des professions du Québec (in French only).
Financial sector occupations
In Québec, certain occupations in the financial sector are regulated by the Autorité des marchés financiers, such as the following:
- Representative in life and health insurance or group life and health insurance
- Damage insurance agent or broker
- Claims adjuster
- Financial planner
- Securities dealer representative
It is necessary to obtain from the Autorité des marchés financiers a representative certificate to exercise them.
Teaching occupation
To become a teacher in a preschool, primary or secondary school, including vocational training, it is compulsory to hold a teaching licence.
Last update: November 30, 2023
