RBQ licences 1.1.1, 1.1.2 and 1.3 all cover building construction, but not the same buildings. 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 cover new residential buildings covered by the guarantee plan; 1.3 covers all buildings, including those of 1.2. Their work execution exams share the same format: 3 hours, a 60% passing mark, multiple-choice questions, 10 content modules and three documents provided. Here is what each licence allows, how to choose, what the exam covers, common pitfalls and a study plan, based on the official exam information sheets of the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) (in circulation since July 21, 2025, checked November 3, 2026).
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Quick answers
What is the difference between RBQ licences 1.1.1, 1.1.2 and 1.3?
1.1.1 and 1.1.2 cover new residential buildings covered by the guarantee plan; 1.3 covers all buildings, including those of 1.2. For a new residential building covered by the guarantee plan, a 1.3 holder may work only as a subcontractor for a 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 holder.
How long is the RBQ 1.3 exam?
3 hours, with a 60% passing mark, multiple-choice questions, 10 content modules and three documents provided. The 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 exams have the same format.
Which licence should I choose between 1.1.1 and 1.1.2?
1.1.1 covers, in particular, detached, semi-detached or row single-family houses and buildings of 2 to 5 dwellings not held in divided co-ownership; 1.1.2 covers buildings held in divided co-ownership with no more than 4 superimposed private portions.
Source: RBQ exam information sheets (July 21, 2025), checked November 3, 2026.
What each licence allows
| Subclass | Buildings covered (summary of the RBQ sheets) |
|---|---|
| 1.1.1 New residential buildings, guarantee plan Class I | Detached, semi-detached or row single-family houses (in divided co-ownership or not); multi-family buildings of 2 to 5 dwellings not held in divided co-ownership. The July 2025 exam sheet also includes multi-family buildings of more than 5 dwellings owned by a non-profit organization or a cooperative, if not held in divided co-ownership. |
| 1.1.2 New residential buildings, guarantee plan Class II | Multi-family buildings held in divided co-ownership with no more than 4 superimposed private portions (parking and storage spaces are not counted) |
| 1.2 Small buildings | Buildings under Part 9 of the National Building Code that do not fall under 1.1.1 or 1.1.2; work on Part 9 new residential buildings only as a subcontractor for a 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 holder (see our 1.2 guide) |
| 1.3 All buildings | Any building, including those of 1.2, and the air-supported structures covered by the Regulation respecting the application of the Building Act |
All four subclasses also authorize the work of Schedule II subclasses 2.6, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1 on a covered building. For a new residential building covered by the guarantee plan, a 1.3 (or 1.2) holder may work only as a subcontractor for a 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 holder, who must also meet the guarantee-plan accreditation requirements. The official definitions contain other details: check them before bidding.
Which one to choose?
- You build new single-family houses or buildings of 2 to 5 dwellings not held in divided co-ownership: 1.1.1.
- You build new condos (divided co-ownership) with no more than 4 superimposed private portions: 1.1.2.
- You build or renovate buildings beyond the scope of 1.2 (Part 9), such as large commercial, industrial or institutional buildings: 1.3 is generally required. The building's regulatory scope, not just its use, decides.
- Your projects are mostly Part 9 buildings outside 1.1.1 and 1.1.2: 1.2 may be enough. On new residential buildings, it only allows work as a subcontractor for a holder of the appropriate subclass.
Each subclass requested requires a work execution qualification, generally by exam, unless recognized training, an exemption or another means accepted by the RBQ applies. A business can hold several subclasses.
Which exams for these licences?
These are general contractor subclasses (Schedule I). The business must have respondents qualified in the three management areas (administration, construction site safety management, project and construction site management) and in work execution for each subclass requested. Recognized training, an equivalence or an exemption can reduce the number of exams. See our guides RBQ Administration exam and RBQ license 2026.
The work execution exam at a glance
| Item | 1.1.1, 1.1.2 and 1.3 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Passing mark | 60% |
| Format | Multiple-choice questions (the sheets give neither the number of questions nor the weighting of the modules) |
| Language | French or English |
| Materials | Calculator, ruler, paper and pencil provided on site; only the documents and materials handed out by the invigilator are allowed |
| Official sheets | One sheet per subclass, in circulation since July 21, 2025 |
The 10 exam modules
The three exams share the same structure and modules, but the knowledge assessed is applied to the scope of each subclass.
- Legislative, normative and regulatory framework
- Building design
- Excavation and building foundations
- Building structure
- Building envelope
- Fire protection and means of egress
- Building mechanical systems
- Architectural and functional components
- Renovation, restoration and alteration of buildings
- Sustainable development
Documents provided and documents to know
| Document | Provided at the exam |
|---|---|
| Regulation respecting the professional qualification of contractors and owner-builders (B-1.1, r. 9) | Yes |
| Construction Code (B-1.1, r. 2), Chapter I – Building, incorporating the National Building Code of Canada 2015 with Québec amendments | Yes |
| Regulation respecting the guarantee plan for new residential buildings (B-1.1, r. 8) | Yes |
| Building Act (B-1.1) | No: recommended reading |
| Safety Code for the construction industry (S-2.1, r. 4) | No: recommended reading |
| Sustainable Development Act (D-8.1.1) | No: recommended reading |
Texts that are recommended but not provided must be studied in advance: knowledge of the Building Act, the Safety Code or sustainable development can be tested without those texts being handed out.
5 common pitfalls
1. Confusing the scope of 1.3 with that of 1.1.1 and 1.1.2
1.3 covers all buildings, but for a new residential building covered by the guarantee plan, its holder works only as a subcontractor for a 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 holder. It is a classic question on licence scope.
2. Mixing up guarantee plan Class I and Class II
A house in co-ownership falls under 1.1.1; a multi-family building held in divided co-ownership with no more than 4 superimposed private portions falls under 1.1.2. Read the type of ownership and the number of superimposed portions carefully.
3. Opening the wrong document
Before flipping pages, ask yourself whether the question is about qualification (B-1.1, r. 9), a construction requirement (Code) or the new-home guarantee (B-1.1, r. 8). Questions on the Building Act or the Safety Code are answered without documents.
4. Confusing the edition provided with the edition in force
The Code provided at the exam is the edition based on the NBC 2015 (amended). Since April 17, 2025, Chapter I is based on the NBC 2020 (amended). At the exam, use the references and instructions given for the session.
5. Managing time poorly
The sheets do not give the number of questions. Answer the ones you know first, flag long searches in the Code and come back to them.
6-week study plan
- Week 1: legislative framework (Building Act, qualification regulation, scope of each subclass, guarantee plan) and structure of the Code.
- Week 2: design, excavation and foundations.
- Week 3: building structure and envelope.
- Week 4: fire protection, means of egress and mechanical systems.
- Week 5: architectural components, renovation, sustainable development and Safety Code.
- Week 6: fast look-up practice in the three documents provided and timed quizzes at the pace of a 3-hour exam.
Fees and retakes
In 2026, each RBQ exam costs $105.27, and a retake after a failure costs $105.27 per exam. After a failure, only one retake is possible: it must be requested within 30 days of the notice sent by the RBQ. After failing the retake, or if it is not requested in time, a 4-month wait applies before being admitted again to the same exam. Missing the exam counts as a failure. Details: RBQ license cost 2026.
FAQ
Does the 1.3 licence include 1.2?
Yes. According to the RBQ, 1.3 authorizes the construction of any building, including those of subclass 1.2.
With a 1.3, can I build a new house for a client?
For a new residential building covered by the guarantee plan, only as a subcontractor for a 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 holder.
Are the 1.1.1, 1.1.2 and 1.3 exams identical?
They share the same format, modules and documents provided, but each subclass has its own sheet and its own exam. Each subclass requested requires its own qualification, generally by exam.
Can I take the exam in English?
Yes, these exams are offered in French or English.
Prepare with Prof-RBQ
Our courses follow the 10 modules of the sheets, with lessons and quizzes with explained answers. The first lessons are free.
- RBQ 1.1.1 – New residential buildings, Class I
- RBQ 1.1.2 – New residential buildings, Class II
- RBQ 1.3 – All buildings
Save with a path
Our paths bundle the exam-preparation courses generally required for a licence, with 15% to 25% off and 6 months of access. Compare them on the Choose my path page.
Official sources
- RBQ – 1.1.1 exam information sheet (July 21, 2025, in French)
- RBQ – 1.1.2 exam information sheet (July 21, 2025, in French)
- RBQ – 1.3 exam information sheet (July 21, 2025, in French)
- LégisQuébec – Regulation respecting the professional qualification of contractors and owner-builders (B-1.1, r. 9)
Last checked: November 3, 2026. The RBQ is the authority. French version of this guide: Examen RBQ 1.3, 1.1.1 et 1.1.2.