Journeyperson
To work in the construction industry in Québec, an individual must obtain the appropriate work permit. The specific conditions for obtaining a journeyman competency certificate (JCC) vary depending on the situation. Read the general conditions, then learn more about the specific conditions for each of the following cases:
- Have passed the qualification examination
- Holder of a qualification certificate from MTESS (electrician, refrigeration system, plumbing, heating)
- Holder of a qualification certificate from MTESS (elevating platform mechanics)
- Holder of a qualification certificate with a Red Seal endorsement
- France-Québec Agreement
The journeyman competency certificate (JCC) indicates the trade and, if applicable, the specialty or activities of the trade that the person may practise.
General conditions for obtaining a journeyman competency certificate
Candidates who have not chosen a union membership or if that membership is no longer valid must fill out the form Application for registration or modification of identification file and/or choice of union association, which assembles the information required to open their file and allows them to designate the union association that they want to join.
In all cases, candidates must:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Have a social insurance number
- Provide their home address
- Provide a photocopy of an official document from among the following list:
- Demonstrate that they have passed the course Santé et sécurité générale sur les chantiers de construction
- 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
Once the application is approved, the competency certificate is sent by mail. However, depending on the circumstances, the CCQ may issue a temporary work permit so that the candidate has quicker access to the site. This work permit is valid only for a limited period, depending on the situation.
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Qualification examination
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Qualification certificate from MTESS (electrician, refrigeration system, plumbing, heating)
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Qualification certificate from MTESS (elevating platform mechanics)
Candidates may obtain their journeyman competency certificate (JCC) if they have a qualification certificate issued by the Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale (MTESS) for the following trades or specialties:
- Electrician (electrical installation)
- Refrigeration system (refrigeration system with a capacity of 200 watts or more)
- Plumbing (plumbing system)
- Heating (heating system)
In addition to holding a valid qualification certificate, candidates must satisfy the following criteria:
- Have completed a study program recognized by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) in the trade covered by the application
- Have accumulated a minimum of 8,000 hours of experience in practising their trade or specialty, including applicable training credits
To obtain a JCC, candidates must fulfil the general conditions and present the following documentation:
- Original college studies transcript (for candidates who graduated from a college studies program for the trade of electrician)
- A copy of their valid qualification certificate, recognized and issued by MTESS
- The form Application for Recognition of Vocational Qualifications duly filled out. The application must clearly indicate to the CCQ the trade or specialty practised and applied for
If hours have been accumulated outside of construction as an employee
For employees outside of construction, the application must include a letter from the employer (or employers) outside of construction for which they have worked.
This letter must give:
- The company name, address, and telephone number of the company in question
- The candidate’s name and social insurance number
- A detailed description of the tasks actually performed by the employee and, if applicable, the type of machine or equipment used
- A description of the sector in which the work was done. If it is the residential sector, the type of housing must be specified
- The employment periods and exact total of hours worked by the candidate for each year of employment at this company
- The signature and position of a person responsible at the company
In order to validate the employer letter(s), the application must also include:
- A copy of pay statements clearly identifying the name of the company, the work period, and the number of hours worked (or a copy of tax slips)
If hours have been accumulated outside of construction as an independent worker or contractor
An application by independent workers or contractors must include:
- Their tax returns establishing income from an activity related to the trade for which recognition of hours is being requested
- Financial statements from the company to corroborate income appearing on the tax returns and, in certain cases, to determine the percentage of ownership in the company
- Notices of assessment issued by Revenu du Québec or the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) confirming receipt and processing of each tax return
- An invoice or a contract for each month covered by the tax returns. The invoices or contracts must give the client’s name, the date, the nature of the work done, and the hourly rate invoiced
How to submit your file to the CCQ
The form Application for registration or modification of identification file and/or choice of union association and all copies of supporting documents required must be sent by mail to the following address:
Commission de la construction du Québec
a/s Comité d'étude – Dossier MTESS
Case postale 2010, succursale Chabanel
Montréal (Québec) H2N 0C3
Candidates may also go to one of the CCQ’s regional offices with all of their documentation.
It takes at least four weeks to analyze a file. Candidates will be informed of the CCQ’s decision by mail.
Candidates may obtain their journeyman competency certificate (JCC) if they have a qualification certificate in elevating platform mechanics or in mechanical conveyor system mechanics of issued by the Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale (MTESS).
To obtain a JCC, applicants must fulfil the general conditions and present the following documentation:
- A copy of their valid qualification certificate, recognized and issued by MTESS
- The form Application for Recognition of Vocational Qualifications duly filled out
How to submit your file to the CCQ
The form Application for registration or modification of identification file and/or choice of union association and all copies of supporting documents required must be sent by mail to the following address:
Commission de la construction du Québec
a/s Comité d'étude – Dossier MTESS
Case postale 2010, succursale Chabanel
Montréal (Québec) H2N 0C3
Candidates may also go to one of the CCQ’s regional offices with all of their documentation.
It takes at least four weeks to analyze a file. Candidates will be informed of the CCQ’s decision by mail.
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Course Santé et sécurité générale sur les chantiers de construction
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.
To register for this course, candidates must refer to the school services centre in their region or to the association that represents them.
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Qualification for “boom truck operator” shared activity
Journeypersons in trades or specialities other than that of crane operator may operate a low-tonnage boom truck if they have passed the obligatory training module Activité partagée camion-flèche and the qualification examination.
Moving of the load must be executed:
- By a journeyperson with the qualification for the shared activity of “boom truck operator”
- On a boom truck with a maximum capacity of 30 tonnes, with only fixed set of controls
- Solely for the purpose of moving materials, equipment, or waste linked to the journeyperson’s trade or specialty
- Solely to a temporary storage point and excluding any final installation of materials or equipment
The tasks responding to the qualification must be declared and paid at the wage rate for the journeyperson’s trade or specialty.
To find out if this qualification is recognized in another province, contact the provincial government concerned.
Conditions for obtaining and maintaining the qualification:
- Hold a journeyman competency certificate
- Hold a valid Class 3 driver’s permit
- Register for and pass the 90-hour training module Activité partagée camion-flèche, which includes two online courses as well as a practical section and evaluation
- The passing grade for this evaluation is 80%
- Once the evaluation has been passed, register for the qualification examination for shared activity of boom truck operator
- The passing grade is 80%
- An information sheet is available
- Candidates must pay the $100 fee when they register
- Once the journeyperson passes this examination, the qualification will be added to his or her competency certificate
To maintain this qualification, journeypersons will have to prove to the CCQ annually that they have performed 50 hours of work related to operation of a boom truck on construction sites, whether or not the sites are covered by Act R-20, by filling out the form Request for recognition of hours - Training or work experience accompanied by a letter from one or more employers. A notice will be sent to the qualification holder when it is time to send the documentation to the CCQ.
Registrations
Registration for the training module Activité partagée camion-flèche may be done through the Info-perfectionnement line, at 1 888 902-2222.
Registration for the qualification examination is done by contacting Customer Services.
Download the leaflet summarizing the new regulation on operation of boom trucks (in French only).
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Renewal of the journeyperson competency certificate
The Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) issues competency certificates that are valid for a 12 months.
Journeypersons who have been working during the 14 months prior to the date of renewal of their journeyman competency certificate (JCC) will have it renewed automatically.
Otherwise, they have to apply. They must:
- Have a valid choice of union association
- Pay the required $100 fee, if applicable (cheque, postal money order, credit card, debit card, or cash)
If you were inactive for certain specific reasons, you may renew your certificate free of charge.
Contact Customer Services to make your application for renewal.
In cases in which the certificate cannot be renewed, the general conditions for obtaining a journeyman competency certificate will have to be complied with.