RBQ licence subclasses (sous-catégories) are grouped into three schedules (annexes) of regulation B-1.1, r. 9. Schedule I holds the 11 general contractor subclasses (1.1.1 to 1.10). Schedule II holds 31 specialized contractor subclasses that each require a construction work exam. Schedule III holds 13 specialized subclasses that require no construction work exam. The three management exams (Administration, safety, project management) come on top, depending on your licence type. For the comparison between the two licence types, see the difference between a general and a specialized contractor.
Here is how to read the schedules and what they mean for your exams. If you would rather start from your trade, see which licences cover each trade.
The three schedules in brief
| Schedule | Type | Number | Construction work exam | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | General contractor | 11 (1.1.1 to 1.10) | Yes, one per subclass applied for | B-1.1, r. 9 (opens in a new tab) |
| II | Specialized contractor | 31 active | Yes, one per subclass applied for | B-1.1, r. 9 (opens in a new tab) |
| III | Specialized contractor | 13 | No (s. 11.9) | RBQ list 1592 (opens in a new tab) |
The regulation also has a Schedule IV: a concordance table with the old subclass numbers. For the name and description of each subclass, see the RBQ’s official list (opens in a new tab) (publication 1592, February 2026). The subclass names are official in French.
Schedule I: general contractor subclasses
Schedule I has 11 subclasses, from 1.1.1 to 1.10. The best known are 1.2 (small buildings) and 1.3 (buildings of all kinds).
A general contractor takes:
- Administration, Site Safety Management and Project and Site Management;
- one construction work exam per Schedule I or II subclass applied for.
Two points to note:
- 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 are for contractors only. An owner-builder cannot hold them.
- The licence bond is $40,000 as soon as the licence has one general subclass, even if it also has specialized ones. With specialized subclasses only, it is $20,000. See RBQ licence bond.
See the general contractor licence page for the full path.
Schedule II: one construction work exam per subclass
Schedule II has 31 active specialized subclasses. Each one has its own construction work exam, 3 hours long. If you apply for three Schedule II subclasses, you take three construction work exams, on top of the management exams.
Path details: specialized contractor licence and construction work exams.
Schedule III: no construction work exam
Schedule III lists 13 specialized subclasses: 2.5, 2.7, 3.2, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, 7, 8, 9, 11.2, 12, 13.5 and 17.2. Section 11.9 of the regulation exempts the guarantor from showing construction work knowledge for these subclasses, and the RBQ list confirms it.
Careful: this is not a licence without exams.
- A specialized contractor still takes Administration, Site Safety Management and Project and Site Management.
- A specialized owner-builder cannot apply for a Schedule III subclass: their subclasses are the Schedule II ones.
Short definition in the glossary: Schedule III. For genuine exam exemptions, read getting an RBQ licence without the exam.
Plumbing, heating and electrical: the CMMTQ and CMEQ
Some subclasses do not go through the RBQ for contractor qualification:
| Subclasses | Contractor qualification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 15.1 to 15.5 | Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec (CMMTQ) | B-1.1, r. 5 (opens in a new tab) |
| 16 | Corporation des maîtres électriciens du Québec (CMEQ) | B-1.1, r. 4 (opens in a new tab) |
| 15.6 to 15.10 | RBQ | RBQ list 1592 (opens in a new tab) |
Open question: owner-builders. The RBQ list’s notes on 15.1 to 15.5 and 16 are about contractors. The RBQ has not said clearly in public who examines an owner-builder in these subclasses. In the open data, 293 licences with subclass 16 were issued by the RBQ, all to owner-builders. We do not guess: if you are an owner-builder in plumbing and heating or in electrical work, ask the RBQ before you file.
The most widely held subclasses in Québec (2026 open data)
The figures below come from the "Liste des licences actives" file the RBQ publishes on Données Québec (CC-BY 4.0 licence), dated September 18, 2026. We count distinct licences holding each code. The file has 54,225 distinct active licences.
Finding 1: the 13 most widely held subclasses are all in Schedule III. They range from 44,156 licences (code 9) to 38,900 (code 17.2). In fact, 37,439 licences hold all 13 Schedule III codes at once.
Finding 2: among subclasses that require an RBQ construction work exam, here is the top of the ranking:
| Rank | Subclass | Active licences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.3 (buildings of all kinds) | 20,107 |
| 2 | 1.2 (small buildings) | 16,214 |
| 3 | 6.1 (wood framing, charpentes de bois) | 7,199 |
| 4 | 15.7 | 6,136 |
| 5 | 10 | 5,716 |
| 6 | 2.4 | 4,042 |
| 7 | 1.4 | 3,216 |
| 8 | 2.2 | 3,092 |
| 9 | 1.1.1 | 2,474 |
| 10 | 1.1.2 | 2,018 |
This ranking leaves out 15.1 to 15.5 and 16, which go through the corporations for contractors. For comparison, 4,272 licences hold subclass 16, of which 3,798 were issued by the CMEQ.
If you are torn between the top two, read RBQ licence 1.2 or 1.3: which subclass to choose.
What a general contractor can add to the licence
A general contractor licence can include, besides Schedule I subclasses, subclasses from Schedules II and III. Each Schedule I or II subclass added requires its construction work exam; Schedule III does not.
Adding or replacing subclasses on an existing licence costs $105.27 in fees (2026 fee), plus the construction work exam where one applies ($105.27 per exam). Fees are indexed every January 1.
What about owner-builders?
| Licence | Administration | Safety | Project management | Construction work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General owner-builder | No | Yes | Yes | One per Schedule I subclass (except 1.1.1 and 1.1.2) |
| Specialized owner-builder | No | Yes | No | One per Schedule II subclass |
Source: B-1.1, r. 9, ss. 9, 10 and 11.2. Full path: owner-builder licence.
FAQ
What is an RBQ licence subclass?
It is the type of work your licence allows you to do. Each subclass has a number (for example 1.3 or 6.1) and belongs to Schedule I, II or III of regulation B-1.1, r. 9.
Which subclasses have no construction work exam?
The Schedule III ones: 2.5, 2.7, 3.2, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, 7, 8, 9, 11.2, 12, 13.5 and 17.2. The management exams still apply.
How many construction work exams do I have to take?
One per Schedule I or II subclass applied for, unless you are exempt.
Who examines plumbing or electrical contractors?
For contractors, the CMMTQ for 15.1 to 15.5 and the CMEQ for 16. Subclasses 15.6 to 15.10 stay with the RBQ.
To prepare for the management exams shared by all these licences, try RBQexam’s free timed practice exam. RBQexam is not affiliated with the Régie du bâtiment du Québec.
Data: Données Québec, file dated September 18, 2026. Information current as of September 26, 2026. Fees: 2026 rates.