You do not sign up for the RBQ exam through an online calendar. You file your licence application, and the RBQ writes to the guarantor (répondant) with the date, time and address of the regional office where the exam takes place. On exam day, bring government-issued photo ID and arrive 15 minutes early. Results come by mail, never by phone.
Here is each step, from the application to the results.
There is no online calendar: the RBQ writes to you
Registration happens through the licence application itself. The RBQ’s "Pour qui, comment, combien" page explains it this way:
- You file a complete licence application (or modification request).
- The RBQ processes it. For a complete, compliant application, it gives a timeline of 60 days from receipt.
- The RBQ writes to the guarantor (or guarantors) with the date, time and address of the session.
If the application is incomplete, the RBQ contacts the business within 15 days. If the missing documents do not arrive in time, it keeps the processing fee, refunds the licence fees, and you have to apply again.
The RBQ recommends that the guarantor be ready to take the exams when the application is filed. Do not file thinking you will study while it is processed: the convocation can arrive sooner than you expect.
Current processing times
The 60 days are the RBQ’s stated timeline, not a guarantee. On September 25, 2026, the RBQ reported longer delays than usual: it was then processing regular applications received on August 25, 2026 and priority applications received on September 15, 2026. These dates change often, so check the RBQ page before you plan. For the full timeline, read how long it takes to get an RBQ licence.
For scale: the RBQ sent 7,002 convocations in 2024-2025, and 73% went out within 15 days of the application, against a target of 80% (2024-2025 annual report).
Before the session: three things to sort out
- Language. The exams are offered in French and English. To write in English, the exam titles must be in English on your convocation notice (avis de convocation). If they are not, notify the RBQ at least 7 days before the date. Details in how to take the RBQ exam in English.
- Accommodations. A person with a disability (for example dyslexia, an anxiety disorder, reduced mobility or a visual impairment) can ask for measures such as extra time, a separate room or having a supervisor read the documents aloud. The "Adaptation des moyens d’évaluation" form, filled out by a professional, goes with the licence or modification application.
- Conflicts. Attendance is mandatory. The RBQ accepts no postponement except for a serious reason, and a no-show counts as a failure. See RBQ exam retake rules.
What to bring: photo ID
The RBQ requires valid photo ID issued by a government authority. Its examples:
- a SAAQ driver’s licence or an international driving permit;
- a RAMQ health insurance card;
- a passport;
- a citizenship card or permanent resident card.
Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time. Once the session has started, you will not be let in.
If your exam is on a computer, also bring the RBQ letter or email with your access details (see below).
What is allowed in the room, and what is not
| Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Materials handed out on site: ruler, pencil, calculator, dictionary | Your personal notes |
| The codes, regulations or statutes provided for that exam | Your own books and reference documents |
| Copying the exam booklet or the accompanying booklets |
Your personal belongings are put away. You use only what the RBQ gives you. The documents handed out vary by exam: the list for each exam is in our documents provided at RBQ exams cheat sheet. A document marked "recommended" on the RBQ information sheet is not necessarily handed out on exam day.
Computer exams and your access details
For computer exams, the RBQ sends access details by mail or email. They:
- are required on exam day;
- stay the same for as long as your guarantor status lasts;
- must be kept confidential;
- also open a practice test of the exam software.
Do that practice test before the session. It is there to learn the interface, not the content. For the content, see our exam pages: Administration, Site Safety Management, Project and Site Management and construction work.
When and how results arrive
- Results are sent by mail, after your last exam.
- If the licence has several guarantors, the RBQ waits until all prospective guarantors tied to the same licence have finished their exams before sending results.
- The pass mark is 60%. Once you reach it, you can act as a guarantor.
If a partner takes their exams a month after you, your results wait for theirs. Line up the dates if you can.
No results by phone
The RBQ never gives exam results by phone. It says so in its FAQ and on the instructions page. There is no point calling: wait for the letter.
Where the exams take place
According to the RBQ’s 2024-2025 annual report, exam sessions were held in 14 cities that year:
Brossard, Gatineau, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Laval, Montréal, Québec City, Repentigny, Rimouski, Rouyn-Noranda, Saguenay, Saint-Jérôme, Sept-Îles, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières.
You do not pick the location in an online system: it is on your convocation.
How much the exam costs
The exam costs $105.27 per person, per exam (2026 fee). The amounts are not taxable and are indexed every January 1. To total your application (licence fees, processing fee, exams), use our RBQ licence fee calculator.
FAQ
How do I register for the RBQ exam?
By filing a complete licence application. The RBQ then writes to the guarantor with the date, time and regional office. There is no online booking.
Can I change my exam date?
The RBQ accepts no postponement except for a serious reason. If that is your case, contact the RBQ before the date.
What ID do I bring?
Valid government-issued photo ID, for example a SAAQ driver’s licence, a RAMQ card or a passport.
When do I get my results?
By mail, after your last exam, and only once all prospective guarantors on the same licence have finished.
Can I get my results by phone?
No. The RBQ never discloses results by phone.
While the RBQ processes your application, you can practise with RBQexam’s free timed practice exam. RBQexam is not affiliated with the Régie du bâtiment du Québec.
Information current as of September 26, 2026. Processing times: as of September 25, 2026. Fees: 2026 rates.