In 2026, the RBQ licence bond (cautionnement de licence) is $40,000 (2026 amount) if your licence carries at least one general contractor subclass, even alongside specialized subclasses, and $20,000 if you hold specialized contractor subclasses only. Both amounts come from section 27 of regulation B-1.1, r. 9 and have been in force since September 18, 2016. Two cases need no licence bond: owner-builders (constructeur-propriétaire), and contractors who hold only 1.1.1 or 1.1.2. A proposed increase published in February 2026 is not in force.
The amounts at a glance
| Your licence | Bond required | Source |
|---|---|---|
| At least one general subclass (Schedule I), alone or with specialized ones | $40,000 | RBQ (opens in a new tab), s. 27 |
| Specialized subclasses only (Schedules II and III) | $20,000 | RBQ (opens in a new tab), s. 27 |
| Only 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 | None | B-1.1, r. 9, s. 26 (opens in a new tab) |
| 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 plus another subclass (for example 1.2) | $40,000 | RBQ FAQ (opens in a new tab) |
| Owner-builder | No licence bond | B-1.1, r. 9, s. 12.2 (opens in a new tab) |
Amounts checked on the RBQ page and on LégisQuébec on September 26, 2026.
What the licence bond is for
The licence bond compensates a client who suffers a loss because of the contractor’s work. According to the RBQ FAQ, it can cover:
- deposits paid;
- unfinished work;
- poor workmanship (malfaçons);
- defects discovered within one year after the work ends.
It protects your clients. It is not insurance for your business. You need it to get the licence and to keep it.
$40,000 or $20,000: it depends on your subclasses
The amount has nothing to do with the size of your business or your revenue. It depends only on the subclasses (sous-catégories) you hold or apply for.
General contractor: $40,000
As soon as one Schedule I subclass is on your licence, the bond is $40,000. That is the case for 1.2 or 1.3, for example. Adding specialized subclasses does not change it: the amounts do not stack. See the general contractor licence page.
Specialized contractor: $20,000
If all your subclasses are specialized (Schedules II and III), the bond is $20,000. See the specialized contractor licence page.
Watch out for the old amounts: $10,000 and $20,000
You will still find pages online that say $10,000 for a specialized contractor and $20,000 for a general contractor. Those are the amounts from the old version of section 27, in force from September 1, 2012 to September 17, 2016. Since September 18, 2016 (order in council 703-2016), the amounts are $40,000 and $20,000. The RBQ’s current page no longer shows $10,000. If a document gives you the old amount, it predates 2016.
Who does not need one
Owner-builders
Section 12.2 of the regulation leaves the bond off the list of documents required for an owner-builder licence application. See the owner-builder licence page.
Contractors who hold only 1.1.1 or 1.1.2
Under section 26, no bond is required when the only subclasses applied for are 1.1.1 and 1.1.2. The RBQ FAQ explains why: for these subclasses, the residential guarantee plan (plan de garantie, regulation B-1.1, r. 8) is what compensates clients.
The exception is narrow. As soon as you hold another subclass, for example 1.2 alongside 1.1.1, you need a bond. And since 1.2 is a general subclass, it will be $40,000.
Where to get a bond
The RBQ says you can get a licence bond from:
- contractor associations;
- some insurance companies;
- most surety companies.
How much does a bond cost?
The bond amount ($40,000 or $20,000) is not what you pay. You pay a premium to the company that issues the bond. We have no official source on premium prices, so we do not publish an estimate. Ask several of the providers above for quotes.
Do not let your bond lapse
According to the RBQ FAQ, if the RBQ has not received your bond by the due date for maintaining your licence, it will recommend suspending the licence. The original bond goes to the RBQ by mail. Keep track of your dates and allow for mail delays.
The February 2026 draft: $60,000 and $30,000
In February 2026, the RBQ published a draft regulation that would raise:
- the general contractor bond from $40,000 to $60,000;
- the specialized contractor bond from $20,000 to $30,000;
- the period for discovering defects from one year to five years.
On September 26, 2026, the draft was still at the comment review stage. The RBQ said no regulation was about to come into force, and the consolidated B-1.1, r. 9 (up to date to May 1, 2026) still showed $40,000 and $20,000. We will update this article if the draft is adopted. Until then, plan with the amounts in force and keep the draft in mind. It is also listed in RBQ exam changes in 2026.
The bond on the exam
Regulation B-1.1, r. 9, which sets these amounts, is one of the documents handed out at the Administration exam. Knowing how to find section 27 quickly saves time. A classic trap is answering $10,000 or $20,000 from old notes. See common RBQ exam mistakes.
To practise these rules under exam conditions, you can try our free timed practice exam. RBQexam is not affiliated with the Régie du bâtiment du Québec.
FAQ
How much is the RBQ licence bond in 2026?
$40,000 if you hold at least one general contractor subclass, $20,000 if you hold specialized subclasses only. These amounts have applied since September 18, 2016.
Is the RBQ bond going up?
A February 2026 draft proposes $60,000 and $30,000. On September 26, 2026, it was still at the comment review stage and not in force.
Does an owner-builder need a licence bond?
No. Section 12.2 of regulation B-1.1, r. 9 leaves the bond out of the owner-builder licence application.
I only hold 1.1.1. Do I need a bond?
No, as long as you hold only 1.1.1 or 1.1.2: the guarantee plan protects your clients. If you add another subclass, the bond becomes mandatory.
What happens if my bond is not renewed?
If the RBQ has not received it by the due date for maintaining your licence, it will recommend suspending the licence.