Complete Strategic Guide: Obtaining the RBQ 1.1.2 Licence – Contractor for New Residential Buildings Covered by a Guarantee Plan, Class II

1. What Is the RBQ 1.1.2 Licence and Who Needs It?

The RBQ 1.1.2 licence — Contractor for New Residential Buildings Covered by a Guarantee Plan, Class II — is mandatory for any contractor who wishes to act as a qualifier (répondant) for the construction of new multi-family residential buildings held in divided co-ownership (condominiums) in Quebec. Issued by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ), this licence specifically authorizes:

• Construction of multi-family buildings held in divided co-ownership, comprising up to 4 superimposed private portions (not counting parking or storage spaces).

It also covers construction work in subcategories 2.6, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1 of Annex II when related to a new residential building falling under this subcategory. The Class II designation distinguishes this licence from Class I (RBQ 1.1.1), which covers non-co-ownership residential buildings. Any contractor building new condominiums subject to the guarantee plan must hold this licence.

2. Scope of the Licence: What Types of Work Does It Authorize?

The RBQ 1.1.2 licence targets new multi-family residential buildings in divided co-ownership covered by the Regulation respecting the guarantee plan for new residential buildings. In practice, these are condominium projects where private portions are stacked vertically — up to 4 levels of superimposed units.

Class II buildings often fall at the boundary between Part 9 (small buildings) and Part 3 (larger buildings) of the Quebec Construction Code, depending on building area and number of storeys. This makes the 1.1.2 exam more demanding than the 1.1.1: candidates must understand both Part 9 prescriptive requirements and the performance-based approach of Part 3 when applicable.

The scope includes foundation work, structural systems, building envelope, fire protection, mechanical systems, and architectural components — as long as they form part of a new residential building in divided co-ownership covered by this subcategory.

This licence does not cover renovation, restoration or transformation work, nor does it cover buildings not held in divided co-ownership (which fall under the RBQ 1.1.1 — Class I licence).

3. RBQ Exam Format: What to Expect

• Question type: Multiple choice (MCQ)
• Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
• Passing grade: 60%
• Languages: French or English
• Skills assessed: 209 skills across 53 competency elements
• Exam type: Mixed (open book + closed book)
• Tools provided: Calculator, ruler, paper and pencil
• Bloom's taxonomy: Questions range from recall (B1) to analysis and application (B3–B4), with emphasis on fire protection requirements and code interpretation for co-ownership buildings

The exam evaluates your ability to apply legislative, regulatory and technical knowledge to real-world scenarios involving new condominium construction. With 209 skills — 37 more than the Class I exam — the 1.1.2 demands a broader and deeper understanding of fire protection, structural requirements, and co-ownership-specific regulations.

4. Exam Documentation: Open Book vs. Closed Book

The RBQ 1.1.2 exam is a mixed exam: 3 documents are provided at the exam (open book) and 3 must be memorized (closed book). This distinction is critical for your study strategy.

Documents PROVIDED During the Exam (Open Book)

• Regulation respecting the professional qualifications of contractors and owner-builders (CQLR, c. B-1.1, r. 9) — Defines the qualification requirements, subcategories, and conditions for obtaining and maintaining a licence.
• Quebec Construction Code — Chapter I, Building, and the National Building Code of Canada 2015 (amended) — The primary technical reference for building requirements, structural standards, fire safety, and accessibility provisions.
• Regulation respecting the guarantee plan for new residential buildings (CQLR, c. B-1.1, r. 8) — Establishes the guarantee obligations, coverage, and mechanisms applicable to contractors of new residential buildings.

Documents to MEMORIZE (Closed Book)

• Building Act (CQLR, c. B-1.1) — The foundational statute governing construction, safety, and contractor qualifications in Quebec.
• Safety Code for Construction Work (CQLR, c. S-2.1, r. 4) — Establishes health and safety standards for construction sites, including fall protection and excavation safety.
• Sustainable Development Act (c. D-8.1.1) — Sets the principles and framework for sustainable development in Quebec construction and public administration.

5. The 10 Training and Competency Modules

Module 1 — Legislative, Normative and Regulatory Framework (28 skills — 13%)

Covers the Building Act, the Regulation respecting the professional qualifications of contractors, the guarantee plan regulation, and associated legal obligations. This module requires thorough understanding of the contractor's legal responsibilities, licence conditions, and the regulatory environment governing residential construction in Quebec. The guarantee plan regulation is particularly important for Class II, with 5 dedicated skills (CE 3).

Module 2 — Building Design (14 skills — 7%)

Covers principles of building design for residential projects, including site analysis, building orientation, spatial planning, and compliance with municipal regulations. For Class II buildings, design considerations include the specific requirements of divided co-ownership projects, such as shared common areas and vertical stacking of private portions.

Module 3 — Building Excavation and Foundation (26 skills — 12%)

Covers excavation safety, soil conditions, footing design, foundation wall construction, waterproofing, drainage systems, frost protection, and protection against underground gases. Foundation requirements for Class II buildings can be more demanding due to larger structural loads from multi-storey co-ownership buildings.

Module 4 — Building Structure (22 skills — 11%)

Focuses on structural systems for residential buildings, including light wood-frame construction, load paths, connections, bracing, and span tables. For Class II buildings that approach Part 3 thresholds, candidates may need to understand engineered structural solutions beyond standard Part 9 prescriptive tables.

Module 5 — Building Envelope (15 skills — 7%)

Addresses thermal insulation, air barriers, vapour barriers, cladding systems, fenestration, and moisture management. Multi-storey co-ownership buildings present unique envelope challenges, including more complex wall assemblies and higher wind load exposures at upper storeys.

Module 6 — Fire Protection and Means of Egress (44 skills — 21%)

The most heavily weighted module on the exam. With 44 skills representing over one-fifth of the total, fire protection is the make-or-break topic for the 1.1.2. Covers fire separations between dwelling units, fire-resistance ratings, limiting distances, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, sprinkler requirements, exit arrangements, egress travel distances, and firefighter access. Co-ownership buildings face more stringent fire protection requirements than single-family homes, particularly for separations between stacked units and common areas.

Module 7 — Building Mechanical Systems (16 skills — 8%)

Covers plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for residential buildings. Includes requirements for supply and drainage piping, venting, gas installations, and mechanical ventilation. Multi-unit co-ownership buildings require more complex mechanical distribution systems than single-family homes.

Module 8 — Architectural and Functional Components (18 skills — 9%)

Addresses interior finishes, accessibility requirements, stairways, guards, handrails, and functional elements. In co-ownership buildings, common areas (lobbies, corridors, stairwells) have specific requirements for finishes, accessibility and signage that go beyond single-family home standards.

Module 9 — Building Renovation, Restoration and Transformation (not assessed)

This module is not assessed for the RBQ 1.1.2 licence, which focuses exclusively on new construction. Renovation and transformation work falls under different licence subcategories.

Module 10 — Sustainable Development and Environment (26 skills — 12%)

Covers environmental regulations, energy efficiency requirements (Chapter 1.1 of the Construction Code), sustainable construction practices, and the Sustainable Development Act. Multi-unit buildings present both challenges and opportunities for energy efficiency, including shared heating systems and envelope optimization for multiple dwelling units.

6. Key Competencies and Technical Requirements (Official Context)

Fire Protection for Multi-Storey Co-Ownership Buildings

With 44 skills (21% of the exam), fire protection is by far the most critical module for the 1.1.2. Candidates must understand the differences between Part 9 and Part 3 fire protection requirements, particularly when a co-ownership building exceeds Part 9 size limits. Key competencies include: calculating fire-resistance ratings for floor assemblies separating stacked units (minimum 1 hour between dwelling units in Part 3 buildings vs. 45 minutes in Part 9), determining sprinkler requirements based on building height and area, and designing exit arrangements for multi-storey buildings with shared corridors. Understanding the concept of "superimposed private portions" — the defining criterion for Class II — is essential for determining which code requirements apply.

Divided Co-Ownership: Legal and Technical Implications

The Class II licence specifically targets buildings in divided co-ownership (copropriété divise). This legal structure has direct technical implications: each private portion must be separated from adjacent units by fire-rated assemblies, sound transmission class (STC) ratings must meet minimum standards between dwelling units, and common elements (structural systems, building envelope, mechanical systems) must be designed to serve multiple owners. The exam tests your understanding of how the guarantee plan applies differently to co-ownership projects, particularly regarding coverage for common elements vs. private portions.

Part 9 vs. Part 3: Knowing Which Requirements Apply

Many Class II buildings straddle the boundary between Part 9 (buildings up to 3 storeys, 600 m² building area) and Part 3 (larger buildings). Candidates must know when Part 3 requirements kick in — and this depends on building area, height, major occupancy classification, and sprinkler protection. The exam frequently tests scenarios where a candidate must determine whether a co-ownership building falls under Part 9 or Part 3, then apply the correct structural, fire protection, and egress requirements accordingly. This analytical skill distinguishes the 1.1.2 from the simpler 1.1.1 exam.

Foundation Design for Larger Residential Structures

Class II co-ownership buildings often impose greater structural loads on foundations than single-family homes. Candidates must understand footing design for multi-storey buildings, including the relationship between soil bearing capacity, building weight, and footing dimensions. The exam tests your ability to use the prescriptive tables in Part 9 where applicable, and to recognize when engineered foundation designs are required. Protection against underground gases (particularly radon) and the requirements for foundation drainage in multi-unit buildings are also assessed.

Building Envelope Performance for Multi-Unit Buildings

Multi-storey co-ownership buildings present unique envelope challenges. The exam evaluates your understanding of continuous air and vapour barriers across multiple storeys, thermal bridging at floor-to-wall junctions between stacked units, and the energy efficiency requirements of Chapter 1.1 of the Construction Code. Wind load increases with building height, affecting cladding attachment, window performance ratings, and air barrier design pressure. Candidates must also understand the requirements for balconies and canopies — common features of co-ownership buildings that create thermal bridge and waterproofing challenges.

The Guarantee Plan: Enhanced Obligations for Co-Ownership

The guarantee plan has particular significance for Class II buildings. In co-ownership projects, the guarantee covers both private portions and common elements, creating a more complex coverage structure. Candidates must understand the three tiers of guarantee coverage (deposit protection, construction defect coverage, and major structural defect coverage), the specific timelines for claims, and the distinction between defects in private portions vs. common elements. The exam tests practical scenarios: given a defect discovered in a common area of a condominium, you should be able to determine the applicable guarantee coverage and the contractor's obligations.

7. Preparation Strategy and Tips for Success

The RBQ 1.1.2 exam covers 209 skills across 9 assessed modules — the broadest scope among the residential construction licences. Here is a recommended strategy:

Phase 1 — Master the closed-book documents first. The Building Act, the Safety Code for Construction Work, and the Sustainable Development Act must be memorized. Use Prof-RBQ.ca's AI-powered flashcards to systematically learn the key provisions, penalties, and principles. These are the same three closed-book documents as the 1.1.1 exam, but the stakes are higher with 209 skills to cover.

Phase 2 — Dominate Module 6 (Fire Protection). With 44 skills (21% of the exam), this module alone can determine your pass or fail. Focus on fire separations between co-ownership units, fire-resistance ratings for floor and wall assemblies, sprinkler requirements, and exit arrangements for multi-storey buildings. Prof-RBQ.ca's practice questions for Module 6 are specifically designed for the complexity level of Class II buildings.

Phase 3 — Learn to navigate the open-book documents efficiently. Having 3 documents on your desk is only useful if you can find answers quickly. Practice with the Professional Qualifications Regulation, the Guarantee Plan Regulation, and especially the Construction Code (master both the Part 9 and Part 3 table of contents). Prof-RBQ.ca's quizzes build this navigation reflex.

Phase 4 — Understand the Part 9 / Part 3 boundary. This is a key differentiator for the 1.1.2 exam. Practice scenarios where you must determine which part of the Code applies based on building dimensions, occupancy, and sprinkler protection. Getting this wrong on the exam means applying the wrong requirements to every subsequent question in the scenario.

Phase 5 — Complete full timed simulations. Before the exam, do at least 2–3 full practice exams under timed conditions. With 209 skills covered, you need to maintain a steady pace: roughly 50 seconds per question, with extra time for calculation items.

Frequently Asked Questions