CCQ (EN) — Erector-mechanic (glazier)

1. About the CCQ Glazier exam

The Glazier (Monteur-mécanicien-vitrier) qualification exam is the official theoretical evaluation administered by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ). Passing this exam is a key step toward obtaining a journeyman competency certificate and being authorized to work as a glazier on Quebec construction sites.

The exam covers four sections weighted as follows: Preparing the installation of glass products and substitute materials (20%), Installing and repairing curtain walls, skylights and aluminum panels (25%), Installing and repairing windows, doors and garage doors (25%), and Installing and repairing showcases, showers, glass doors, mirrors and other glass products (30%). It is offered in French and English in multiple-choice format and lasts approximately 3 hours, with a passing grade of 60%.

2. Exam structure at a glance

Section 4 is the heaviest single block, but the weights are relatively flat — between 20% and 30%. No section can be safely ignored, and a candidate who is strong on building-envelope work but weak on custom glass (mirrors, showers, glass railings) can still fail.

3. Detailed competency elements

Section 1 — Preparing the installation of glass products and substitute materials (20%)

• Plan consultation
• Weight calculations
• Installation standards
• Preparation and selection of materials, tools, and equipment
• Compliance with safety rules
• Scaffolding
• Signal communication
• Levelling reference points and dimensional measurement

Section 2 — Installing and repairing curtain walls, skylights and aluminum panels (25%)

• Frame installation
• Application of weatherproofing products and glazing tape
• Glass and component installation
• Frame finishing
• Pressure plate and cover installation
• Fire-rated joint installation
• Sealant application
• Aluminum panel installation
• Inspection and repair of curtain walls and aluminum panels

Section 3 — Installing and repairing windows, doors and garage doors (25%)

• Opening preparation
• Frame installation
• Glass and component installation
• Hardware installation
• Insulation and weatherproofing product installation
• Garage door installation
• Inspection and repair of windows, doors, and garage doors

Section 4 — Showcases, showers, glass doors, mirrors and other glass products (30%)

Installing and repairing showcases, showers, and glass doors:

• Hardware installation
• Glass and component installation
• Preparing the location to receive the showcase
• Glass door installation
• Inspection and repair of showcases, showers, and glass doors

Installing mirrors, glass railings, glass guards, and related glass products:

• Preparing the location to install mirrors, glass railings, glass guards, and related glass products
• Installing mirrors, glass railings, glass guards, and related glass products
• Work verification

4. Documents provided at the exam

This is a defining feature of all CCQ trade qualification exams: unlike RBQ contractor exams (some of which are open book), CCQ exams are systematically closed book regardless of the trade. Plan your study accordingly.

5. Recommended study documents

The CCQ suggests the following references for preparation. None of them will be available during the exam — they are study aids only. Use them to build understanding, then test recall with practice questions and flashcards.

• Window, Door and Skylight Installation (CSA A440.4-07) — CSA Group, 2007, 144 p. (csagroup.org)
• Les échafaudages sur cadre métalliques — CNESST, 2004, 32 p. (cnesst.gouv.qc.ca)
• Glass-Metal Curtain Walls — National Research Council Canada, 1982 (archive.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca)
• Residential Garage Door Installation Guide — Garaga, 2012, 24 p. (garaga.com)
• Residential Garage Door Installation Guide — Garex, 21 p. (portesgarex.com)

6. What makes the Glazier exam different

The Glazier trade is unusual in its product breadth. Few CCQ trades require a single candidate to reason about so many distinct deliverables: curtain walls and skylights (architectural envelope), windows and exterior doors (residential and commercial fenestration), garage doors (a separate hardware system altogether), showcases and store fronts, glass doors and shower enclosures, mirrors, glass railings, and glass guards. Each product family has its own hardware, weatherproofing, and code requirements. The exam doesn't focus narrowly — it tests the full product spectrum.

Section 1 (20%) ties everything together with one technically demanding competency: glass weight calculation. Glazing assemblies are heavy, often awkward, and frequently installed at height. A glazier who cannot calculate the weight of a panel from its dimensions and glass type cannot safely select rigging, sized scaffolding, or anchor capacity. Weight calculations appear in Section 1 but inform every installation question in Sections 2 through 4.

Section 4 (30%) has grown in importance as modern building codes have driven wider use of glass railings and glass guards in commercial and residential projects. Tempered and laminated safety glass, structural silicone, and base shoe systems are now common — and the exam tests the candidate's ability to install them safely. Because the exam is closed book, the platform also tracks what you've actually memorized — flashcards spaced over multiple sessions surface weak areas before exam day.

7. Recommended preparation strategy

1. Anchor preparation around Section 4 (30%) and Section 1 (20%). Section 4 is the heaviest block, and Section 1's weight calculations and standards underpin every other section.
2. Treat the exam as closed book from day one. Memorize CSA A440.4 installation tolerances, glazing tape sizes, sealant compatibility rules, and railing/guard glass specifications — you will not have a manual to consult.
3. Read the recommended documents in this order: CSA A440.4-07 (the foundation — windows, doors, skylights), then the NRC Glass-Metal Curtain Walls reference (Section 2), then the CNESST scaffolding guide (Section 1 safety content), then the Garaga and Garex installation guides (Section 3 garage doors).
4. Drill weight-calculation problems daily. They are common across multiple sections and tend to be quick points if the formulas are memorized.
5. Don't neglect mirrors and glass railings in Section 4. Many candidates spend most of their field time on curtain walls and windows; the custom-glass installations in Section 4 are often where exam scores fall short.
6. Take at least two full mock exams under real conditions (3 hours, no documents, single sitting) before scheduling the real exam.
7. Review every wrong answer. The Prof-RBQ.ca platform shows the reasoning behind each correct answer — read every explanation, even on questions you got right.

8. Why Prof-RBQ.ca for the Glazier exam

• Aligned with the official CCQ structure — content mapped one-to-one to the four sections, with extra depth on weight calculations (Section 1) and the heavyweight Section 4 custom-glass content.
• Closed-book training methodology — flashcards and spaced practice designed for memorization, not lookup.
• Mock exams in CCQ format — multiple choice, 3-hour timing, scoring out of 60% — so exam day feels familiar.
• Detailed answer explanations — every question, right or wrong, comes with a written rationale.
• Bilingual — full course in English and French. The CCQ exam itself is offered in both languages.
• A free section is available so you can try the platform before committing.

Frequently asked questions