GUIDE : CCQ Electrician
The Qualification Exam
As your journeyman electrician exam approaches, it is normal not to know exactly where to start. Between registration requirements, the steps to follow, reference materials to use, and exam preparation, several important factors come into play. By going step by step and in the right order, things become much simpler, letting you focus on what matters most and arrive fully prepared for the exam. This guide brings together the essential information you need throughout the process.
Exam Eligibility
To be eligible to take the journeyman electrician qualification exam, you must meet the eligibility requirements established by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ). As an apprentice, you become eligible once you have completed 85% of the apprenticeship hours required for your trade, or 6,800 hours out of 8,000.
Once your file is deemed eligible, the CCQ will send you an eligibility letter by mail. It will contain all the information you need to book your exam session, including the date, time, and exam center that work best for you. Book your session as soon as you receive your letter. Exam center availability is limited and varies by region. The sooner you register, the sooner you can get your journeyman competency certificate and journeyman pay rate.
Obtain the Authorized Documents
To prepare for the CCQ journeyman electrician qualification exam, you must familiarize yourself with two essential documents: the Quebec Construction Code, Chapter V – Electricity 2018 and the latest version of the Hydro-Québec Blue Book – Standard E.21-10, available in PDF format on the Hydro-Québec website.
Although these documents are available in digital format, it is recommended to practice with printed versions. Studying on paper will allow you to develop your speed in locating information and replicate exam conditions, where only paper documents provided on-site are permitted.
Before spending money to purchase the Quebec Construction Code, note that many electrical employers already have copies on-site. Feel free to ask your employer if they can lend you one for the duration of your preparation.
Authorized Documents
Exam Overview
The exam is open book. You can consult authorized documents at any time to help you answer questions. All required materials are provided on-site directly by the CCQ: the two authorized reference documents, namely the Quebec Construction Code (Chapter V – Electricity) and the Hydro-Québec Blue Book, a calculator, a pencil, an eraser, and scratch paper.
You cannot bring your own reference materials or personal notes. Personal belongings, such as your phone, smartwatch, or bag, are strictly prohibited in the exam room and must be left in the designated storage area.
| Exam Section | Weighting |
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| Planning electrical work | |
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| Installing electrical equipment | |
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| Connecting equipment and systems | |
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| Creating branch circuit systems | |
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Choose the Right Exam Prep
There are several ways to prepare for the journeyman electrician exam (outdated course manuals, in-person training, or online courses), but they are not all equally effective. To maximize your chances of passing on your first attempt, it is important to choose up-to-date preparation designed specifically to meet the requirements of the CCQ exam, rather than a theoretical overview adapted from broader course material.
Formation Électriciens, a SOFEDUC-accredited training organization, offers an online exam preparation platform developed specifically for the CCQ journeyman electrician exam. It gives you access to hundreds of representative questions that are regularly updated, detailed explanations with direct references to the authorized exam documents, and precise analysis tools to identify your strengths, target your weaknesses, and improve your ability to find information quickly so you can arrive better prepared on exam day.
While online prep suits the vast majority of candidates, some prefer complementing their study with in-person instruction. The CCQ offers upgrading activities covering theoretical concepts related to the exam. Since these activities are not offered year-round, consult the “Répertoire des activités de perfectionnement” to see what is currently available.
Tips for Exam Day
The night before the exam, prioritize rest and a good night’s sleep. Intensive last-minute studying can be counterproductive. If you want to review, limit yourself to a few questions on the Formation Électriciens platform to keep your skills sharp.
On exam day, arrive early with your eligibility letter and valid identification. During the exam, keep the essentials in mind: you have 3 hours to answer 60 questions, or about 3 minutes per question. If a question seems difficult, move on to the next one and come back to it later. Good time management is just as important as your knowledge.
Once the exam is over, you can collect your belongings and leave the room. Then all that remains is waiting for your score. Allow up to 10 business days before your result is available in your CCQ online services account. You will be able to view your score online and confirm your pass status. If you pass the exam and hold a valid apprentice competency certificate (ACC) for the electrician trade, the CCQ will automatically issue your journeyman competency certificate (JCC) at no additional charge.
What to Do if You Fail?
If you do not pass the exam on your first attempt, your results letter will explain the retake conditions and when you can register again. It will also show your performance in each of the exam's four main sections. These results will help you identify the areas you need to review and better focus your preparation before your next attempt.
During a retake, all exam sections are submitted again. Unless a major exam revision requires a full retake without consolidation, the CCQ retains, for each section, the highest score obtained between the previous attempt and the retake. To maximize your chances, continue your prep on Formation Électriciens focusing specifically on the concepts you need to strengthen.
