CCQ (EN) — Ironworker
Prepare for the CCQ Ironworker qualification exam with an online course: lessons, quizzes with explained answers and review tools, available anytime for 3 months.
The trade at a glance
Under the Regulation respecting the vocational training of workforce in the construction industry (R-20, r. 8), ironworker is one of the construction trades defined in Schedule A.
- Schedule B of the regulation sets 3 apprenticeship periods of 2,000 hours (6,000 hours) for this trade.
- Eligible candidates register for the CCQ qualification examination with the Commission (R-20, r. 8, s. 6); the examination pertains to the trade, specialty or shared activity (s. 7).
Please note — This course prepares you for the CCQ qualification exam. Its content is educational: before applying any concept on a job site, consult the codes, regulations and standards in force, which take precedence in case of discrepancy. Some quizzes refer to paid codes, standards or manuals that are not included and may be required; they are available separately from their publishers. If you do not have the document a question refers to, simply skip that question. Prof-RBQ is independent of the CCQ and the RBQ and does not guarantee success on the exam.
Online course
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3 months
Course Lessons
CCQ Ironworker Qualification Exam Preparation
Online course aligned with the four official sections of the CCQ Ironworker (Monteur-assembleur) qualification exam — practice questions, flashcards, mock exams, and detailed answer explanations covering rigging, structural steel erection, welding, bolting, and plumb/square verification.
1. About the CCQ Ironworker exam
The Ironworker (Monteur-assembleur) qualification exam is the official theoretical evaluation administered by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ). Ironworkers erect, modify, and finish the structural and architectural steel that frames buildings, bridges, and other structures on Quebec construction sites. Passing this exam is a key step toward obtaining a journeyman competency certificate.
The exam covers four sections weighted as follows: Site mobilization and work planning (15%), Installing structural and architectural elements (45%), Modifying and dismantling elements (15%), and Finishing elements (25%). 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 | Title | Weight | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Site mobilization and work planning | 15 % | Plans, lifting equipment, scaffolding, safety |
| 2 | Installing structural and architectural elements | 45 % | Erection, rigging |
| 3 | Modifying and dismantling elements | 15 % | Welding, oxy-cutting, modification, removal |
| 4 | Finishing elements | 25 % | Bolting, plumb and square, tightening, finishing |
Section 2 dominates at nearly half the score — structural steel erection is the heart of the trade. Section 4 (bolting and plumb/square verification) is the second-heaviest block, reflecting that most steel connections in Quebec building construction are bolted.
3. Detailed competency elements
Section 1 — Site mobilization and work planning (15%)
Work planning and preparation:
- Interpret the plan
- Mobilize the lifting equipment
- Install scaffolding
- Plan the safety equipment
Section 2 — Installing structural and architectural elements (45%)
- Erect the various structural and architectural elements
- Perform the rigging
Section 3 — Modifying and dismantling structural and architectural elements (15%)
- Welding or oxy-cutting of elements
- Modify parts of structural and architectural elements
- Dismantle structural and architectural elements
Section 4 — Finishing structural and architectural elements (25%)
- Bolt the structural and architectural elements
- Perform plumb and square verification
- Tighten bolts
- Ensure the finish of the work
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 recommends 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.
- Modern Welding (10th edition, English only) — Aithouse, Andrew D. et al., Goodheart-Wilcox, Tinley Park IL, 2004, 784 p.
- Aide-mémoire de prévention — Élingues et accessoires de levage (Slings and Lifting Accessories Prevention Memo) — ASP Construction, Anjou, 2012 (asp-construction.org)
- Gréage et appareils de levage (Rigging and Lifting Equipment) — ASPHME, Longueuil, 1998, 92 p. (asphme.org)
- Building Construction Illustrated (4th edition, English only) — Ching, Francis D. K., John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken NJ, 2008, 480 p.
- Les échafaudages sur cadres métalliques — Monté sur du solide (Tubular Frame Scaffolding) — CNESST, Montréal, 2004, 30 p. (cnesst.gouv.qc.ca)
- Quebec Construction Code, Chapter 1 — Building, and National Building Code of Canada 2005 (amended) — National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, 2015, 1239 p. (2 volumes)
- Rigger's Pocket Guide (English only) — Construction Safety Association of Ontario (CSAO / IHSA), Etobicoke, 2008, 12 p. (ihsa.ca)
- Gréage et levage : guide de sécurité (Rigging and Lifting Safety Guide) — CSST translation by Marc Pelletier, Publications du Québec, 2007, 192 p.
- Safety Code for Construction Work (S-2.1, r.4) — Éditeur officiel du Québec, current as of 1 February 2019
- Structural Bolting Handbook (English only) — Steel Structures Technology Center (SSTC), Novi MI, 2010, 116 p. (steelstructures.com)
- Structural Welding Quality Handbook (English only) — Steel Structures Technology Center (SSTC), Novi MI, 2010, 108 p.
- Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) — welding certification and technical resources (cwbgroup.org)
6. What makes the Ironworker exam different
The Ironworker trade is built around rigging. Section 2 explicitly pairs erecting structural elements with the rigging operations required to do so — the two cannot be separated. Four of the 11 recommended references are devoted specifically to rigging and lifting: the ASP Construction slings memo, the ASPHME rigging-and-lifting-equipment guide, the CSAO Rigger's Pocket Guide, and the CSST Rigging and Lifting Safety Guide. That's roughly a third of the reading list focused on one skill family, which signals just how central rigging is to the trade.
Section 4 (Finishing, 25%) is dominated by bolting. Most structural-steel connections in Quebec building construction are bolted, not welded — and bolted connections come in distinct categories with different installation procedures: snug-tight, pretensioned, and slip-critical. Each has its own tightening method (turn-of-nut, calibrated wrench, twist-off-type tension-control bolts, or direct-tension indicators). A bolted connection installed wrong looks the same as one installed right, which is why the SSTC Structural Bolting Handbook is on the recommended list and why the exam tests these rules carefully.
The trade is also notable for its safety stakes. Ironworkers work at height with heavy loads suspended overhead, which is why Section 1 spends a quarter of its weight on safety-equipment planning and why scaffolding has its own dedicated reference. Welding and oxy-cutting (Section 3) add fire and burn hazards on top of fall and crush risks. 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
- Anchor preparation around Section 2 (45%) and Section 4 (25%). Together they are 70% of the exam — erection and rigging plus bolting and finishing. Master both.
- Treat the exam as closed book from day one. Memorize sling capacities, sling-angle reduction factors, bolt-tightening methods, plumb and square tolerances, and weld symbol meanings — you will not have a manual to consult.
- Read the recommended documents in this order: CSAO Rigger's Pocket Guide and CSST Rigging and Lifting Safety Guide (Sections 1 and 2 rigging foundation), then SSTC Structural Bolting Handbook (Section 4 bolting depth), then Modern Welding and SSTC Structural Welding Quality Handbook (Section 3 welding), then ASP Construction and ASPHME slings memos, then CNESST scaffolding guide (Section 1 access), then Ching's Building Construction Illustrated and the Quebec Construction Code/NBC 2005 for structural context, then the Quebec Safety Code S-2.1 r.4 for general site rules.
- Master the bolt category distinctions cold. Snug-tight versus pretensioned versus slip-critical — each has different tightening procedures. Section 4 questions often present a scenario and ask which method applies.
- Drill rigging angle calculations. Sling-angle reduction is one of the highest-yield Section 2 topics — a 45-degree sling angle reduces capacity to roughly 70% of vertical capacity, and memorizing the standard reduction factors pays off across multiple questions.
- Don't neglect plumb and square. Section 4 includes verification of structural plumb and squareness — common stumbling points for candidates who focus only on the lifting and bolting steps.
- Take at least two full mock exams under real conditions (3 hours, no documents, single sitting) before scheduling the real exam.
- 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 Ironworker exam
- Aligned with the official CCQ structure — content mapped one-to-one to the four sections, with extra depth on Section 2 (erection and rigging) and Section 4 (bolting and plumb/square).
- Closed-book training methodology — flashcards and spaced practice designed for memorization of sling factors, bolt tightening procedures, weld symbols, and tolerances.
- 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.
Get ready for your CCQ Ironworker exam
Online course, mock exams, flashcards, and answer explanations — built for the closed-book CCQ format and the rigging-heavy reality of the trade.
Access Prof-RBQ.caFrequently asked questions
What is the CCQ Ironworker qualification exam?
The CCQ qualification exam for the Ironworker (Monteur-assembleur) trade is the official theoretical exam administered by the Commission de la construction du Québec to obtain a journeyman competency certificate. Ironworkers erect, modify, and finish structural and architectural steel on Quebec construction sites. The exam evaluates competencies across four sections: Site mobilization and work planning (15%), Installing structural and architectural elements (45%), Modifying and dismantling elements (15%), and Finishing elements (25%).
Is the Ironworker exam open book or closed book?
The CCQ Ironworker exam is entirely closed book. No reference document is provided during the exam and personal documents are not allowed. Rigging rules, bolting specifications, welding procedures, and plumb/square tolerances must be memorized — focus your preparation on understanding rather than locating information in a manual.
How long is the exam and what is the passing grade?
The CCQ Ironworker exam typically lasts 3 hours and the passing grade is 60%. The exam is offered in French and English in multiple-choice format. Confirm the official details on the CCQ website before your exam date.
What are the four sections of the Ironworker exam?
The exam is divided into four sections: Section 1 — Site mobilization and work planning (15%); Section 2 — Installing structural and architectural elements (45%); Section 3 — Modifying and dismantling elements (15%); Section 4 — Finishing elements (25%). Section 2 dominates at nearly half the score — structural steel erection is the heart of the trade.
What does Section 1 — Site mobilization and work planning cover?
Section 1 (15%) covers work planning and preparation: interpreting the plan, mobilizing the lifting equipment, installing scaffolding, and planning the safety equipment. These prerequisites underpin every subsequent installation, modification, and finishing operation.
What does Section 2 — Installing structural and architectural elements cover?
Section 2 (45%) covers erecting the various structural and architectural elements and performing the rigging operations. This is the largest single block of the exam and reflects the core of the trade — lifting steel beams, columns, joists, and architectural panels into place using cranes and rigging gear, then setting them in correct position.
What does Section 3 — Modifying and dismantling cover?
Section 3 (15%) covers welding and oxy-cutting of elements, modifying parts of structural and architectural elements, and dismantling structural and architectural elements. This work happens both during retrofits of existing buildings and when correcting fit-up issues during new erection.
What does Section 4 — Finishing elements cover?
Section 4 (25%) covers bolting the structural and architectural elements, performing plumb and square verification, tightening the bolts, and ensuring the finish of the work. Bolting is a regulated discipline with specific tightening procedures (snug-tight versus pretensioned versus slip-critical connections) that the Structural Bolting Handbook details — the exam tests these rules.
What documents are recommended for exam preparation?
The CCQ recommends 11 references: Aithouse et al., Modern Welding (10th edition, 2004, English only); ASP Construction's Slings and Lifting Accessories Prevention Memo (2012); ASPHME's Gréage et appareils de levage (1998, 92 p.); Francis D. K. Ching's Building Construction Illustrated (4th edition, 2008, English only); CNESST's Tubular Frame Scaffolding — Monté sur du solide (2004, 30 p.); the Quebec Construction Code, Chapter 1 — Building, and National Building Code of Canada 2005 amended (CNRC, 2015, 1239 p.); CSAO's Rigger's Pocket Guide (2008, English only); the CSST Rigging and Lifting Safety Guide (Marc Pelletier translation, 2007, 192 p.); the Quebec Safety Code for Construction Work (S-2.1, r.4, 2019); SSTC's Structural Bolting Handbook (2010, 116 p., English only) and Structural Welding Quality Handbook (2010, 108 p., English only); and the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) online resources. None of these documents are provided at the exam — they are study references only.
Why is rigging so central to this exam?
Rigging appears explicitly in Section 2 alongside element erection because ironworkers cannot place a single steel beam without it. Slings, shackles, spreader bars, choker hitches, and angle calculations all determine whether a lift is safe. Four separate documents on the recommended list are devoted to rigging and lifting — that's roughly a third of the reading list. The closed-book format means the candidate must know sling capacities, sling-angle reduction factors, and proper hitch selection from memory.
Why does bolting weigh so much on this exam?
Section 4 (Finishing, 25%) is bolting-heavy because most structural-steel connections in Quebec building construction are bolted, not welded. The SSTC Structural Bolting Handbook is one of the recommended references for good reason: bolting standards distinguish between snug-tight, pretensioned, and slip-critical connections, each with its own installation and tightening procedure (turn-of-nut, calibrated wrench, direct-tension indicators). A bolted connection installed wrong looks the same as one installed right — the exam tests whether the candidate knows the differences.
How does Prof-RBQ.ca prepare me for the Ironworker exam?
Prof-RBQ.ca offers an online preparation course aligned with the four official CCQ sections, with practice questions, flashcards, mock exams, and detailed explanations for every wrong answer. The platform mirrors the multiple-choice format of the actual exam so you arrive prepared, with extra emphasis on Section 2 (the heaviest installation and rigging block), Section 4 (bolting and plumb/square verification), and dedicated coverage of welding and oxy-cutting procedures from Section 3.