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Safety
How to Choose an RBQ-Licensed Electrical Contractor
The licence number, the insurance certificate, the written scope — and the questions worth asking before you sign.
BGE Electrique team · Published April 8, 2026 · 5 min read
In Québec, electrical work on a home must be carried out by a contractor holding a valid RBQ licence in the appropriate subcategory. That single requirement filters out most of the risk — but it is worth knowing how to verify it and what else to look for.
- Ask for the RBQ licence number and check it in the public register yourself.
- Request a current certificate of liability insurance naming the contractor.
- Confirm CMEQ membership for electrical contractors and CCQ compliance for the workforce.
- Get the scope in writing: what is included, what is excluded, who pulls permits, who patches drywall.
- Ask who will actually be on site, and whether a Master Electrician supervises the work.
A quote that is dramatically lower than the others is usually missing something. Compare scopes before you compare prices.
Unlicensed work is not just a safety problem. It can void an insurance claim, hold up a real estate transaction and cost far more to correct than it saved. If a quote is cash-only and comes with no paperwork, that is the whole answer.
