How to Become a Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator in Quebec
Do you need certification?
Certification required
Crane and hoisting equipment operator is a compulsory trade in Quebec. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.
- Protected titles
- crane operator
Show the source
“Children of employers cannot be exempted from holding an apprentice competency certificate for the trade of crane operator.”
From ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/grutiers, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Certification required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 4 steps, listed one-time fees $100
- Licensed in another province: 1 step, listed one-time fees $100
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Commission de la construction du Québec
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 4 done
- Listed one-time fees: $100
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
Complete the diploma of vocational studies in crane operation, which is the favoured route into the trade.
Source
“Although the favoured route for becoming a crane operator remains the diploma of vocational studies (diplôme d’études professionnelles, or DEP) in crane operation”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/grutiers -
Obtain an apprentice competency certificate and complete the apprenticeship periods in the trade.
Source
“Apprenticeship in a trade in the construction industry is calculated in hours in the trade and in hours of training and upgrading. The duration of the apprenticeship is divided into apprenticeship periods of 2,000 hours each.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/appr... -
- Registration fee for the provincial qualification examination: $100
Source
“They must pay the $100 registration fee with a credit card”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm...
Source
“they are eligible for the provincial qualification examination in their trade when they have completed 85% of their apprenticeship.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm... - Registration fee for the provincial qualification examination: $100
-
Contact Customer Service within four months before the fee's validity period ends to schedule the examination, then take the provincial qualification examination.
Source
“It is up to apprentices to contact the Customer Service within four (4) months before the end of this period to schedule their exam.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm...
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $100
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | $100 | 100% |
| One-time total | $100 | 100% |
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 1 done
- Listed one-time fees: $100
-
- Fee required: $100
Source
“Payment of the $100 fee required (cheque, money order, credit card, debit card, or cash)”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/exterieur-quebec/sceau-rouge
Source
“The form Application for registration or modification of identification file or choice of union association, duly filled out”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/exterieur-quebec/sceau-rouge - Fee required: $100
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $100
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $100 | 100% |
| One-time total | $100 | 100% |
Trained outside Canada
- 1 step without a listed fee
No separate route for this group. Source
“Individuals living outside of Canada and wishing to join the Québec construction industry may apply to have their work experience and their hours in vocational training courses recognized in order to obtain an apprentice competency certificate (ACC), except for the trade of crane operator.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/appr...
Requirements
Education
Apprentices are eligible for the provincial qualification examination when they have completed 85% of their apprenticeship.
Source
“they are eligible for the provincial qualification examination in their trade when they have completed 85% of their apprenticeship.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm...
Experience
Applicants through the employer or individual routes must demonstrate experience in hours worked, and if applicable training credits, at least equal to the total duration of the apprenticeship in the trade.
Source
“Applicants must demonstrate, using supporting documents, that they have practised a trade or specialty and acquired experience in hours worked and, if applicable, in training credits at least equal to the total duration of the apprenticeship in the trade or specialty covered.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm...
Other
Candidates without a diploma in the trade must obtain a letter of commitment from an employer to follow or offer the on-the-job training plan.
Source
“Obtain a letter of commitment (in French only) from an employer to follow the training plan within the employer's company company or a letter of commitment (in French only) to offer the OTP to the employee or designated representative.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/grutiers
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
Source
“The form Application for registration or modification of identification file or choice of union association, duly filled out”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/exterieur-quebec/sceau-rouge
Submit recognition application
Source
“The form Application for Recognition of Professional Qualifications, duly filled out”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/exterieur-quebec/sceau-rouge
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Commission de la construction du Québec
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Commission de la construction du Québec
Exams
-
Provincial qualification examination
Source
“they are eligible for the provincial qualification examination in their trade when they have completed 85% of their apprenticeship.”
ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Commission de la construction du Québec
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Commission de la construction du Québec
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Commission de la construction du Québec
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $30.11 | $43.01 | $47.00 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $26.50 | $42.77 | $52.19 | — |
Cranes and hoisting equipment operators in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Certification required
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Certification required
- Ontario Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Certification required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Compare crane and hoisting equipment operator licensing across Canada
Sources checked
- Integration into the trade of crane operator ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/grutiers · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apprentice ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/certificat-competence/appr... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Eligibility ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/examen-qualification-2/adm... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Forms ccq.org/en/En-tete/formulaires · fetched October 9, 2026
- Red Seal ccq.org/en/qualification-acces-industrie/exterieur-quebec/sceau-rouge · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a crane and hoisting equipment operator in Quebec?
Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Quebec. Certification is managed by the Commission de la construction du Québec.
Which exams are required?
Provincial qualification examination.
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