How to Become a Cook in Quebec
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Cook is a voluntary trade in Quebec. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Compulsory/Voluntary (C/V) Certification Required by Apprenticeship Authority Provinces and Territories designate each trade as compulsory or voluntary. Work in Compulsory trades can only be performed by certified journeypersons or registered apprentices. Work in Voluntary trades may legally be performed with or without certification or apprenticeship training | V | V | V | V | V | V | V | V | V | V | V | V | V |”
From ellischart.ca/eng/trades/cook/ellis-chart.shtml, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps
- Licensed in another province: no separate route
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Your roadmap
Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle has no page of its own for this trade. These are the steps it gives for every designated trade in Quebec.
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
-
You complete the apprenticeship program registration form and send it with the required documents and payment to the Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle.
Source
“You must send your duly completed form, the required documents and your payment to the following address:”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated... -
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you receive an apprenticeship guide, an apprenticeship card and other documents describing the qualification process.
Source
“If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will receive”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated... -
You must be hired by a company and complete your apprenticeship there, acquiring the required skills under a journeyperson, completing the learning hours and successfully completing the required training.
Source
“If you are looking for a job, you must be hired by a company in order to complete the apprenticeship program.”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated... -
You pay the qualifying exam registration fee according to the fees in effect.
Source
“You must pay the qualifying exam registration fee payable according to the current fees in effect (PDF 122 Kb).”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated... -
Source
“You must pass the exam to obtain your certificate of qualification.”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
No separate route for this group. Source
“If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will receive”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated...
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group. Source
“If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will receive”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated...
Requirements
Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages do not state how someone already licensed in another Canadian province or territory registers in Quebec. Source
“If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will receive”
quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Exams
Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $16.10 | $18.00 | $25.00 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $15.00 | $18.00 | $25.00 | — |
Cooks in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Alberta Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Voluntary certification
- Northwest Territories Voluntary certification
- Nunavut Voluntary certification
Sources checked
- Cook – Ellis Chart ellischart.ca/eng/trades/cook/ellis-chart.shtml · fetched October 9, 2026
- Process to obtain a compulsory qualification certificate | Gouvernement du Québec quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/practising-regulated... · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
1
Do you need a licence to work as a cook in Quebec?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in Quebec. Certification is managed by Centre administratif de la qualification professionnelle.
Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too
Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.
Schedule a CallFree consultation. No commitment.