Complete Strategic Guide: Obtaining the RBQ 1.10 Licence – Mechanical Lifts Contractor

1. What Is the RBQ 1.10 Licence and Who Needs It?

The RBQ 1.10 licence — Mechanical Lifts Contractor (Entrepreneur en remontées mécaniques) — is a highly specialized licence issued by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) for contractors who build, install, modify, or maintain mechanical lifts and conveyors. It authorizes construction work involving:

• Aerial tramways (téléphériques) and aerial lifts;
• Surface lifts and rope tows (fils-neige);
• Towed secondary vehicle lifts;
• Conveyors used for passenger or material transport;
• All associated mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical drive systems.

With 99 skills across 4 modules and 14 competency elements, the RBQ 1.10 is one of the most technically demanding RBQ licences — covering everything from cable engineering and tower construction to acceptance testing and periodic inspections of installations that carry people at height and speed.

2. Scope of the Licence: Passenger Ropeways, Conveyors and Drive Systems

The RBQ 1.10 covers a unique and safety-critical segment of construction: mechanical lifts and conveyors. These are the systems that transport skiers up mountains, move passengers across valleys, and carry materials along industrial routes. The scope includes the design, fabrication, installation, modification, maintenance, and inspection of every type of passenger ropeway and conveyor regulated under the Building Act.

The licence also covers work in subcategories 3.1 (structural steel and precast concrete), 4.1 (electrical), 5.1 (piping and heating), and 6.1 (insulation) — but only when that work is directly related to a mechanical lift or conveyor installation. This broad cross-trade scope reflects the reality that a mechanical lift is a complex system integrating structural, mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic components.

A distinctive feature of the RBQ 1.10 is its strong regulatory framework. Mechanical lifts are regulated under two dedicated chapters of the Quebec codes — Chapter VII of the Construction Code and Chapter V of the Safety Code — plus the national CSA Z98-19 standard. This three-layer regulatory structure (provincial construction, provincial safety, national standard) makes the 1.10 one of the most heavily regulated RBQ licence categories.

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: 99 skills across 14 competency elements
• Exam type: Mixed (2 open-book documents + 8 closed-book documents)
• Tools provided: Calculator, ruler, paper and pencil

With 99 skills and only 2 open-book documents, the RBQ 1.10 exam places a heavy emphasis on memorization. The 8 closed-book documents — including the critical CSA Z98-19 standard — must be thoroughly studied before exam day. Module 4 (Standards and Work Execution) is the most heavily weighted module.

4. Exam Documentation: Open Book vs. Closed Book

The RBQ 1.10 exam is a mixed exam with 2 documents provided (open book) and 8 to memorize (closed book) — 10 documents total. The ratio is notably skewed toward closed book, making memorization a major factor in exam success.

Documents PROVIDED During the Exam (Open Book)

• Quebec Construction Code — Chapter VII, Mechanical Lifts (CQLR, c. B-1.1, r. 2) — The provincial technical code governing the construction, installation, and modification of mechanical lifts in Quebec.
• Safety Code — Chapter V, Mechanical Lifts (CQLR, c. B-1.1, r. 3) — The provincial safety requirements for the operation, maintenance, and inspection of existing mechanical lift installations.

Documents to MEMORIZE (Closed Book)

• Building Act (CQLR, c. B-1.1) — The foundational statute governing construction, safety, and contractor qualifications in Quebec.
• Regulation respecting the professional qualifications of contractors and owner-builders (CQLR, c. B-1.1, r. 9) — Defines the qualification requirements and conditions for obtaining a licence.
• Occupational Health and Safety Act (CQLR, c. S-2.1) — The foundational statute for workplace safety in Quebec.
• Safety Code for Construction Work (CQLR, c. S-2.1, r. 4) — Health and safety standards for construction sites, including work at heights, rigging, and heavy equipment operation.
• Engineers Act (CQLR, c. I-9) — Governs the practice of engineering in Quebec, relevant because mechanical lift design requires engineering certification.
• Act respecting labour relations, vocational training and workforce management in the construction industry (CQLR, c. R-20) — The labour relations framework for construction workers in Quebec.
• Regulation respecting the vocational training of manpower in the construction industry (CQLR, c. R-20, r. 8) — Training and certification requirements for construction workers.
• CSA Z98-19 — Passenger Ropeways and Conveyors — The national standard for the design, fabrication, installation, modification, maintenance, and inspection of mechanical lifts in Canada.

5. The 4 Training and Competency Modules

Module 1 — Definitions and Types of Systems

Covers foundational knowledge of mechanical lift systems: types of ropeways (aerial tramways, detachable and fixed-grip aerial lifts, surface lifts, rope tows), conveyor systems, major components (sheaves, haul ropes, drive terminals, return terminals, towers, hangers, carriers, grips), braking systems (service brakes, emergency brakes, backstop devices), and drive systems (electric motors, diesel engines, hydraulic systems). This module establishes the technical vocabulary essential for understanding codes and standards.

Module 2 — Legislative, Normative and Regulatory Framework

Covers the complete regulatory framework for mechanical lifts: the Building Act, the Quebec Construction Code Chapter VII, the Safety Code Chapter V, the CSA Z98-19 standard, the Regulation respecting professional qualifications, the OHS Act, the Safety Code for Construction Work, the Engineers Act, the Labour Relations Act (R-20), and the Regulation respecting vocational training. This module tests your ability to identify which law, code, or standard governs each aspect of mechanical lift work — a critical skill given the three-layer regulatory structure.

Module 3 — Plans, Specifications and Estimation

Covers the ability to read mechanical lift installation plans: interpreting structural drawings for towers and terminals, understanding cable geometry (sag, tension, span calculations), reading electrical schematics for drive and control systems, interpreting hydraulic system diagrams, and preparing cost estimates for mechanical lift projects. This module bridges the theoretical knowledge of Module 1 with the practical execution of Module 4.

Module 4 — Standards and Work Execution

The most heavily weighted module on the exam. Covers the practical application of installation, maintenance, and inspection standards: tower erection and foundation work, terminal installation, cable splicing and tensioning, drive system installation and alignment, brake system installation and testing, electrical and hydraulic system commissioning, acceptance testing procedures, periodic inspection requirements, maintenance protocols, and workplace health and safety specific to mechanical lift construction — including work at heights, rigging of heavy components, and operations in mountainous terrain.

6. Key Competencies and Technical Requirements (Official Context)

CSA Z98-19: The National Standard You Must Memorize

The CSA Z98-19 standard — Passenger Ropeways and Conveyors — is arguably the most important document for the RBQ 1.10 exam, and it is not provided at the exam. This national standard covers every aspect of mechanical lift engineering: design requirements (load calculations, wind loading, cable factors of safety), fabrication standards (materials, welding qualifications per W47.1-09 and W47.2-11), installation procedures, modification protocols, maintenance schedules, and inspection requirements. Since this comprehensive document must be memorized, candidates must develop a systematic understanding of its structure and key requirements. Prof-RBQ.ca's flashcards and targeted lessons focus on the most frequently tested CSA Z98-19 provisions.

Chapter VII Construction Code: Your Primary Open-Book Reference

The Quebec Construction Code — Chapter VII (Mechanical Lifts) is one of only two documents provided at the exam. It establishes the provincial construction requirements for mechanical lifts, incorporating and adapting the CSA Z98-19 standard for Quebec-specific conditions. The key competency is fast navigation — knowing where to find specific requirements for different lift types, clearances, structural requirements, and electrical installations. Since the exam allows only 3 hours for 99 skills, efficient use of this document is essential. Prof-RBQ.ca teaches the structure and cross-references between Chapter VII and the CSA Z98-19 standard.

Haul Ropes and Cable Systems: The Backbone of Every Lift

Cable engineering is a central technical domain of the RBQ 1.10 exam. Candidates must understand haul rope specifications (construction type, diameter, breaking strength, factor of safety), rope inspection criteria (broken wires, corrosion, diameter reduction, rope lay distortion), splice requirements, tensioning procedures, and the relationship between rope geometry (sag, tension, span) and passenger safety. The exam tests both theoretical knowledge (understanding how cable tension varies with load and temperature) and practical competency (knowing when a rope must be replaced based on inspection findings).

Drive Systems: Electrical, Hydraulic, and Diesel

Mechanical lifts use different drive configurations depending on their type, capacity, and location. The exam covers electric motor drives (the most common for permanent installations), hydraulic drives (used for smaller or portable lifts), and diesel drives (used as backup or in remote locations without grid power). Candidates must understand motor sizing, speed control systems, alignment procedures, and the integration of the drive system with the braking system — since the drive and braking systems must work together to control speed and provide emergency stopping.

Acceptance Testing and Commissioning: Before Passengers Ride

Before any mechanical lift can carry passengers, it must pass a comprehensive acceptance testing program. The exam tests knowledge of load testing procedures (static and dynamic), brake testing (service brake, emergency brake, backstop), drive system performance verification, safety device testing (derailment switches, slack rope switches, overspeed governors), electrical system testing, and the documentation required to certify a lift for public use. This competency bridges the Construction Code Chapter VII (acceptance requirements) with the CSA Z98-19 standard (testing procedures).

Periodic Inspections and Maintenance: Ongoing Safety Obligations

The Safety Code — Chapter V (the second open-book document) governs the ongoing inspection and maintenance of mechanical lifts. Candidates must understand the different levels of inspection (daily, weekly, monthly, annual, major), the maintenance intervals for critical components (ropes, brakes, sheaves, grips), the record-keeping requirements, and the criteria for taking a lift out of service. This competency is tested through scenario-based questions: given a set of inspection findings, what action is required?

Labour Relations and Workforce Training: The R-20 Framework

Unique to the RBQ 1.10 among most RBQ licences, the exam includes two documents related to labour relations in construction: the Act respecting labour relations (R-20) and the Regulation respecting vocational training. This reflects the specialized nature of mechanical lift work, which requires certified workers with specific training. Candidates must understand the qualification requirements for workers involved in mechanical lift construction and maintenance, including welding certifications per CSA W47.1-09, W47.2-11, and W178.1-08.

7. Preparation Strategy and Tips for Success

The RBQ 1.10 exam covers 99 skills across 4 modules with 2 open-book and 8 closed-book documents. Here is a recommended strategy:

Phase 1 — Master the CSA Z98-19 standard by theme. This is the most important closed-book document. Organize your study by system: cable systems, drive systems, braking systems, towers and terminals, safety devices, testing and inspection. Use Prof-RBQ.ca's flashcards for spaced repetition on the key provisions.

Phase 2 — Dominate Module 4 (Standards and Work Execution). This is the largest module covering practical installation, testing, maintenance, and safety. Focus on acceptance testing procedures, cable inspection criteria, and brake system requirements — these are high-yield exam topics.

Phase 3 — Master navigation of the 2 open-book documents. The Construction Code Chapter VII and Safety Code Chapter V are your only provided references. Learn their structure, section numbering, and cross-references. Fast navigation is critical with 99 skills in 3 hours.

Phase 4 — Memorize the remaining 7 closed-book documents by theme. Group them: contractor law (Building Act, Professional Qualifications Regulation), workplace safety (OHS Act, Safety Code for Construction Work), professional practice (Engineers Act), and labour relations (R-20 Act, R-20 Vocational Training Regulation). Use Prof-RBQ.ca's flashcards.

Phase 5 — Complete full timed simulations. With 99 skills and only 2 open-book documents, you have roughly 109 seconds per question. Practice under timed conditions to build speed and confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions