1. About the RBQ 2.3 contractor licence exam

The RBQ sub-category 2.3 exam is the theoretical examination administered by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec for candidates seeking to act as qualified representative (répondant) for a contractor licence covering underground water pumping systems — the pumps, drop pipes, pitless adapters, pressure tanks, controls, and piping that lift groundwater from a well into a building.

The exam is offered in French and English in multiple-choice format, lasts 3 hours, and the passing grade is 60%. It is built around four official modules covering pumping fundamentals and equipment types, the regulatory framework, plans and specifications, and the standards for executing the work.

2. Exam structure at a glance

The RBQ does not publish a percentage weighting per module for this licence. By content volume, Module 4 (Standards and execution of work) is the largest — covering planning, installation (including pitless adapter, bladder tank, and trench work), commissioning, repair, and health and safety. Module 1 (pumping fundamentals and equipment types) is the next-largest study block.

3. Detailed competency elements

Module 1 — Definitions and types of systems

• EC 1 — Define the notions and terms of underground water pumping systems: pumping power and operating pressure; water demand (instantaneous required flow vs. average operating flow); pumping curves and pumping tables; basic hydraulics — flow velocity and friction; water characteristics; pumping-equipment management (pumping cycle/time, constant-pressure systems); pumping-system parts (pump, drop pipe/riser, pitless adapter/coulisseau, bladder tank); measurement units (L/min, gal/min, psi, hp, watts); basic electrical notions for wire sizing.
• EC 2 — Describe the different pumping system types: variable-speed pumping systems; pump types — submersible pumps and jet pumps with their characteristics and applications; drop pipe types; pressure-management elements (pressure switch, bladder tank, controls) and their applications.

Module 2 — Legislative, normative and regulatory framework

• EC 3 — Situate the work within the regulatory framework: identifying certification bodies and conformity marks on pumping components (BNQ, CSA, NSF); knowing the Quebec Regulation on the catchment of groundwater (Q-2, r.6) — its object and scope; identifying works requiring ministerial approval (Q-2 r.6, article 31); identifying the elements of the Canadian Electrical Code that apply to pump connection; identifying the elements of the Plumbing Code that apply to pump connection; determining the qualifications required of workers to perform the work.

Module 3 — Plans and specifications

• EC 4 — Read and interpret drawings and plans for a pumping system: locating pumping-system elements on a plan; reading and interpreting dimensions and annotations; reading sections and details; reading general notes and tables.
• EC 5 — Read and interpret the specification associated with the drawings: defining the divisions and sections of a construction specification for pumping systems; interpreting plumbing-related information (CSI division 22, formerly 15); interpreting electrical-related information (CSI division 26, formerly 16); interpreting pumping-system information (CSI division 33, formerly 11).
• EC 6 — Gather the characteristics of the water-catchment work and the building served, when installing without plans and specs: identifying the well and building characteristics that influence installation (well location and depth, well capacity, water demand, total head, electrical capacity, plumbing piping type); establishing the supply-line route; evaluating friction losses.

Module 4 — Standards and execution of work

• EC 7 — Plan and organize the work: identifying the factors to consider during installation; comparing the costs and benefits of different system elements; choosing the required components (pump and control system, drop pipe, wiring, bladder tank); establishing the supply-line route; ordering and receiving materials (respecting manufacturer-specified uses); determining the logical work sequence.
• EC 8 — Install pumping systems (10 skill statements): verifying site and equipment conformity with initial information; disinfecting equipment throughout installation; explaining the role of the pitless adapter (coulisseau) and installing it to the required tightness standards; explaining the role of the concrete collar and minimizing impact on its tightness; ensuring the trench is excavated in compliance with standards (safe for workers, adequate for both the electrical line and the water line); installing the bladder tank and pressure switch correctly; pump and motor installation precautions; ensuring compliance with electrical and plumbing standards; explaining when well cleaning and disinfection are required; using suitable backfill material.
• EC 9 — Finalize the work: verifying system operation and priming the pump; managing spoil; explaining the system to the owner; informing the owner of regulatory obligations (surface configuration — mound, water analysis).
• EC 10 — Repair pumping systems: diagnosing the source of a problem (premature wear, drop in flow, etc.); replacing failed components.
• EC 11 — Health and safety: identifying the risks tied to pumping-system installation; explaining the precautions to take (adequate trench slope, glove use, vaccines, safe use of lifting equipment).

4. Documents at the exam — mixed-book format

Provided at the exam (open book — 2 documents)

• Règlement sur le captage des eaux souterraines (RLRQ, Q-2, r.6) — Quebec Regulation on the catchment of groundwater
• Code de sécurité pour les travaux de construction (RLRQ, S-2.1, r.4) — Safety code for construction work

Recommended reading only (closed book — 5 documents)

• Loi sur le bâtiment (RLRQ, B-1.1) — Building Act
• Code de construction (RLRQ, B-1.1, r.2) — Construction Code
• Règlement sur la qualification professionnelle des entrepreneurs et des constructeurs-propriétaires (RLRQ, B-1.1, r.9)
• Loi sur la qualité de l'environnement (RLRQ, Q-2) — Environment Quality Act
• Loi sur la santé et la sécurité du travail (RLRQ, S-2.1) — Act respecting occupational health and safety

Several of these documents are available free of charge on publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca.

5. Material provided at the exam

The calculator, ruler, paper and pencil needed for the exam are supplied on site. Only the documents and material handed out by the exam supervisor may be used during the session — personal copies, notes, electronic devices, and additional reference material are not allowed.

6. What makes the RBQ 2.3 exam different

The RBQ 2.3 contractor licence sits at a three-way interface between well drilling (RBQ 2.1/2.2), plumbing (master pipe mechanics), and electrical work (electrical contractors). The pumping system itself — pump, drop pipe, pitless adapter, bladder tank, pressure switch — belongs squarely to 2.3, but every install touches plumbing on one side and electricity on the other. The exam is built around that reality. Module 2 explicitly tests the Canadian Electrical Code and the Plumbing Code so the candidate can identify where their licence stops and where the master trades take over.

Module 1 (13 skill statements) is the technical foundation: pumping power, operating pressure, friction losses, hydraulics, water demand, pumping cycles vs. constant-pressure systems, and the different pump types (submersible, jet) with their applications. A candidate who doesn't internalize this content will struggle with Module 4's installation questions, because every installation choice — pump model, wire size, pressure-switch setting, bladder-tank size — rests on it.

The exam is mixed book. The two open-book references — Q-2 r.6 and the construction-work safety code S-2.1 r.4 — must be read carefully before the exam so you know where to find a setback distance, an installation requirement, or an excavation rule quickly during the session. Closed-book content is different: outright recall. The Building Act, the Construction Code (which includes plumbing and electrical chapters), the contractor-qualification regulation, the Environment Quality Act, and the occupational health and safety act are not available at the exam, so their principles and scope rules must be memorized.

The largest content block by volume is Module 4 (Standards and execution of work) — 24 skill statements across 5 competency elements. EC 8 alone (Install pumping systems) contains 10 skill statements covering pitless adapter installation, concrete collar tightness, trench excavation, bladder-tank and pressure-switch installation, pump and motor installation, electrical and plumbing compliance, well cleaning/disinfection, and backfill selection. This is the largest single block in the exam.

7. Recommended preparation strategy

1. Memorize the closed-book content first. The 5 closed-book documents include the Building Act, the Construction Code (which covers the plumbing and electrical chapters referenced in Module 2), the contractor-qualification regulation, the Environment Quality Act, and the occupational health and safety act. Build flashcards around scope, key articles, and the boundary between this licence and the master trades — you won't have them on exam day.
2. Drill the pump-curve and friction-loss calculations. Module 1 EC 1 expects you to read a pumping curve, identify total head, and account for friction. Module 3 EC 6 makes you do it in the field. Practice with real curves until pump sizing becomes automatic.
3. Read Q-2 r.6 cover to cover until you know the structure. The Quebec Regulation on the catchment of groundwater is the only domain-specific text you'll have on the desk. Memorize article 31 (works requiring ministerial approval), the setback table, and the installation requirements that apply to pumping equipment.
4. Master the pitless adapter (coulisseau) and concrete collar. EC 8.3 and EC 8.4 test the role and tightness of these two components specifically. These are common exam topics because they're the single most failure-prone part of a pumping install — a leaking pitless adapter contaminates the well, and a damaged concrete collar lets surface water down the casing.
5. Memorize the trade-interface rules. Module 2 EC 3 tests Canadian Electrical Code AND Plumbing Code requirements for pump connection (EC 3.4 and 3.5). Module 3 EC 5 tests CSI divisions 22 (plumbing), 26 (electrical), and 33 (pumping). Be able to identify which division and which code article applies to each part of an installation.
6. Anchor preparation around Module 4 (24 skill statements). Standards and execution of work is the largest module — and EC 8 alone is 10 skill statements. Master the install sequence end to end: site verification → disinfection → pitless adapter → concrete collar → trench → bladder tank + pressure switch → pump + motor → electrical/plumbing compliance → well disinfection → backfill.
7. Practice the diagnosis branch. EC 10 (Repair) tests diagnosing premature wear, drop in flow, and other failure modes. These are reasoning questions — practice walking from symptom to root cause to component replacement.
8. Take at least two full mock exams under real conditions (3 hours, only the 2 open-book documents on the desk, single sitting) before scheduling the real exam.
9. 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 RBQ 2.3 exam

• Aligned with the official RBQ structure — content mapped one-to-one to the four modules and their 11 competency elements, with extra depth on Module 4 (the largest module) and EC 8 (10 skill statements covering the full install).
• Trade-interface focus — dedicated drilling on the Canadian Electrical Code and Plumbing Code requirements for pump connection (Module 2 EC 3.4–3.5), CSI divisions 22/26/33, and the boundary with master pipe mechanics and electrical contractors.
• Mixed-book training methodology — separate tracks for the 5 closed-book documents (memorization with flashcards and spaced practice) and the 2 open-book documents (Q-2 r.6 navigation drills, setback lookup speed exercises).
• Mock exams in RBQ format — multiple choice, 3-hour timing, 60% passing grade, with the 2 open-book references on the desk — so exam day feels familiar.
• Detailed answer explanations — every question, right or wrong, comes with a written rationale citing the underlying article, code, or standard.
• Bilingual — full course in English and French. The RBQ exam itself is offered in both languages.
• A free section is available so you can try the platform before committing.

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