About the data
This tool checks Québec's official open data from the RBQ (contractor licences) and the OPC (licences for car dealers, door-to-door sellers, lenders, collection agencies, travel agencies, gyms, extended warranties and debt settlement), joined by Québec enterprise number (NEQ).
What each licence means
Hire a contractor (construction, renovation, heating)
Under Québec's Building Act and its regulations, the business doing your work must hold a valid contractor's licence whose subclasses cover that work. It is issued by the RBQ or, for some electrical, plumbing and heating contractors, by the CMEQ or CMMTQ. The business's qualifications and solvency were checked before its licence was issued. Under certain conditions, its bond may also compensate you for a lost deposit, unfinished work or defects found within a year of completion.
The RBQ list is updated daily; a very recent licence may not appear yet. Licences of electrical (CMEQ) and plumbing and heating (CMMTQ) contractors are included.
When isn't it required?
Some jobs are not construction work under the law and don't require an RBQ licence, for example cleaning, snow removal, tree felling or delivering materials. For painting, flooring, renovation and any other construction work done for you for pay, a licence is required whatever the amount.
These are situations, not a verdict on this business. If in doubt, ask the business for its licence number.
Official sources: RBQ: work not requiring a licence · RBQ: licence FAQ
Official sources: Building Act, s. 46 · Building Act, s. 7 · Regulation respecting the professional qualification of contractors and owner-builders, s. 6 · Building Act, s. 129.3 · Regulation respecting the professional qualification of contractors and owner-builders, s. 25
Buy a vehicle from a dealer
With a few exceptions, the law requires every business that deals in road vehicles, new or used, to hold a licence from the Office de la protection du consommateur. To get this licence, the dealer must provide a bond. It could be used to compensate you if the dealer doesn't meet its obligations, for example by refunding your down payment if it closes before delivery.
No permit applies to a private seller.
When isn't it required?
This licence isn't required to sell trailers under 1,300 kg or for short-term rentals. Any business that sells or leases long-term cars, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles or RVs must hold it.
These are situations, not a verdict on this business. If in doubt, ask the business for its licence number.
Official sources: Regulation under the Consumer Protection Act, s. 24.4 · OPC: do I need a licence? (in French)
Official sources: Consumer Protection Act, s. 321 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 260.25 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 323.1 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 322 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 24.4
Sign with a door-to-door or kiosk seller
With some exceptions, a business that solicits you or signs a contract with you outside its premises must hold an itinerant merchant permit from the Office de la protection du consommateur. To get this permit, the business must provide the OPC with a bond of up to $100,000. It can be used to compensate customers who obtain a court judgment against the business or reach a settlement with it.
When isn't it required?
This licence isn't required for some contracts, including those of $100 or less, those signed at a public market, fair or auction, or during a visit you asked for yourself. That last exception doesn't apply if the seller contacted you first, or for doors, windows, insulation, roofing or exterior siding.
These are situations, not a verdict on this business. If in doubt, ask the business for its licence number.
Official sources: Consumer Protection Act, s. 57 · Regulation under the Consumer Protection Act, s. 7 · Regulation under the Consumer Protection Act, s. 8 · OPC: itinerant merchant licence exceptions (in French)
Official sources: Consumer Protection Act, s. 321 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 55 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 59 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 244.7 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 104
Borrow from a lender (not a bank, credit union or mortgage loan)
A business that lends money to consumers must hold a money lender's permit from the Office de la protection du consommateur. Banks, credit unions (caisses) and mortgage loans, among others, are exempt. The OPC can refuse, suspend or cancel this permit, for example after certain convictions. If the lender lacks the required permit, you can ask to have the contract cancelled, or only the credit charges, with a refund of any already paid.
When isn't it required?
Banks, caisses (for example Desjardins), trust and savings companies and insurers don't need this OPC licence, and neither does a loan secured by a mortgage on real estate. These institutions are overseen by other authorities, including the Autorité des marchés financiers.
These are situations, not a verdict on this business. If in doubt, ask the business for its licence number.
Official sources: Regulation under the Consumer Protection Act, s. 18
Official sources: Consumer Protection Act, s. 321 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 322 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 329 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 18 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 93
Sign a high-cost credit contract
A business that enters into high-cost credit contracts must hold a permit from the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC). Banks, credit unions (caisses) and a few others are exempt. The OPC can suspend or cancel this permit. With some exceptions, the business must give you a written assessment of your ability to repay before you sign, and you have 10 days to cancel at no cost.
If it is a loan of money, the business also needs a money lender permit.
When isn't it required?
Banks, caisses, trust and savings companies and insurers don't need this OPC licence. A car dealer or any other seller offering high-cost credit does.
These are situations, not a verdict on this business. If in doubt, ask the business for its licence number.
Official sources: Regulation under the Consumer Protection Act, s. 18 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 321
Official sources: Consumer Protection Act, s. 321 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 93 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 18 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 61.0.3 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 103.4
Deal with a collection agency
A business paid to collect money owed to someone else must hold a collection agent permit from the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC), with some exceptions such as lawyers and bailiffs. An agency holding an OPC permit has posted a bond that can be used to compensate you if a court orders it to pay you for breaking the law. It must also follow specific rules when contacting you.
Agencies are often listed under a legal or numbered name: try the NEQ too.
When isn't it required?
A business collecting its own debt (your supplier, your bank or caisse) doesn't need this licence, nor does a lawyer, notary or bailiff acting in that role. An agency collecting a debt on someone else's behalf must hold it.
These are situations, not a verdict on this business. If in doubt, ask the business for its licence number.
Official sources: Act respecting the collection of certain debts, s. 6
Official sources: Act respecting the collection of certain debts, s. 1 · Act respecting the collection of certain debts, s. 7 · Act respecting the collection of certain debts, s. 8 · Act respecting the collection of certain debts, s. 20 · Act respecting the collection of certain debts, s. 33
Book a trip with a travel agency
A travel agency must hold a licence from Québec’s Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC). The general licence lets it book transport and lodging and organize trips. A licensed agency must keep your money in a trust account. If a supplier doesn’t provide the service you paid for or the agency closes, the compensation fund run by the OPC may refund you.
An agency outside Québec may not be listed.
When isn't it required?
This licence isn't required when you book directly with a carrier (airline, coach, train) or a hotel for its own services. A travel advisor works under their agency's licence, so check the agency's name.
These are situations, not a verdict on this business. If in doubt, ask the business for its licence number.
Official sources: Travel Agents Act, s. 3 · Regulation respecting travel agents, s. 1.1
Official sources: Travel Agents Act, s. 4 · Travel Agents Act, s. 33 · Regulation respecting travel agents, s. 2 · Regulation respecting travel agents, s. 28 · OPC - Permis d’agent de voyage obligatoire
Join a gym or weight-loss centre
Under Québec’s Consumer Protection Act, gyms and weight-management centres (“physical fitness studios”) must, with a few exceptions, hold a permit from the Office de la protection du consommateur. To get this permit, the centre must post a $25,000 security per location; if it closes during your membership, the Office may use it to refund you, fully or in part.
A permit covers specific locations: check that the one you're joining is listed.
When isn't it required?
Facilities run by a municipality, school, CEGEP or university don't need this licence, and neither do outdoor activities offered without a facility.
These are situations, not a verdict on this business. If in doubt, ask the business for its licence number.
Official sources: Consumer Protection Act, s. 188 · OPC: health studio licence exceptions (in French)
Official sources: Consumer Protection Act, s. 321 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 198 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 108 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 120 · OPC – Centres d’entraînement ou de contrôle du poids : conseils avant de s’abonner
Buy an extended warranty (car or motorcycle)
With some exceptions, a business that offers or sells an extended warranty for a car or motorcycle must hold a permit from the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC). The permit holder must post a bond and, depending on the option it chose, put at least half of what it receives for your contract in a trust account. This money can be used to compensate you if the company closes or goes bankrupt.
When isn't it required?
This licence isn't required of the vehicle's manufacturer or its subsidiary, an authorised insurer, or a garage for its own repairs or parts. Check the company named as the warranty provider in the contract: it isn't always the dealer.
These are situations, not a verdict on this business. If in doubt, ask the business for its licence number.
Official sources: Consumer Protection Act, s. 321 · Regulation under the Consumer Protection Act, s. 25.1
Official sources: Consumer Protection Act, s. 321 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 25.1 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 108.1 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 260.8 · OPC – Ai-je besoin d'un permis?
Use a debt settlement service
A business that negotiates with your creditors or receives your money to pay them must hold a debt settlement service merchant licence from the OPC. Some professionals, such as licensed insolvency trustees, lawyers and notaries, don't need one. To get this licence, the business must post a $50,000 bond with the OPC, which can be used to compensate its clients if it fails to meet its obligations. The law also requires it to keep your money in a trust account and to take its fees only after making a payment to one of your creditors.
Credit-repair and budgeting services don't need this permit.
When isn't it required?
Licensed insolvency trustees, lawyers, notaries, bailiffs and certain other professionals are not covered by this licence when they negotiate your debts. Check their status with their professional order or the trustee register instead.
These are situations, not a verdict on this business. If in doubt, ask the business for its licence number.
Official sources: Consumer Protection Act, s. 214.13
Official sources: Consumer Protection Act, s. 321 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 214.12 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 214.13 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 214.26 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 214.27
Sources and limits
Limits: the lists contain licences in force only. A business that isn't found may be exempt, may use another name or number, or the list may lag. A match by name is only a possible match. For contractors, job types are matched to RBQ subcategories from their official titles; subcategory 1.2 is limited to small buildings and the app doesn't check building size.
OPC complaints are anonymised: they contain no business name or number, so they can't be attributed to a business. We only show figures for all businesses of the same type.
OPC exemption rows mean a business posted a bond instead of keeping deposits in a trust account (Consumer Protection Act, ss. 254, 256 and 308). They are shown as information and never counted as a licence.
The data is published under CC-BY 4.0 by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec and the Office de la protection du consommateur, via Données Québec.
VérifLicence is an independent service. It is not affiliated with the Régie du bâtiment du Québec or the Office de la protection du consommateur.
Check history in the official RBQ registry ↗ OPC merchant lookup (results in French) ↗