Equivalency Overview

The Barreau du Québec offers Canadian lawyers a special "equivalency" program to obtain a full permit to practice law in Québec. This site walks you through all of the steps needed to obtain your Québec practice permit and provides useful tips to help ensure your success.

If you are not already a lawyer, but rather a student, this site may also provide you with some useful information, however, it does not cover the traditional Québec bar process for new graduates.

‍If you are a Canadian lawyer who is thinking about practicing in Québec, this site is intended to answer many of the questions you might have before, and during, the equivalency process. For more information, the best place to look is the Barreau du Québec website, which is the regulatory organization that governs Québec lawyers.

Summary of Equivalency Requirements

If you are short on time, this provides a quick summary of the requirements and study tips related to the equivalency exam. When you have more time, you can come back and read through the details found elsewhere on this site.

Required Forms and Information

• Application forms;
• Civil I, Civil II and Ethics exams; and
• A French aptitude test.

Exams and Material

• The equivalency exams are comprised of
  1. Ethics,
  2. Civil I, and
  3. Civil II.
• After passing the equivalency exams, you must also pass a French exam within two years.
• The format of the exams is "long answer", which usually requires that you either write a short sentence or paragraph or complete a legal-based math calculation.
• When writing the exam, keep answers brief and to the point. Refer to specific Civil Code or other applicable legal provisions (not case law). Always provide the best response (not any response).

Preparation and Study Tips

• To prepare for the exams, read through the Civil Code and applicable law. Also study the collection de doit and practice calculations related to support, separation and inheritance.
• You can bring your summary notes into the exam along with your Civil Code law book. Use your summaries to help find the right section of the Civil Code. After going through your summary, it is best to open the Civil Code and read the actual provision before responding to the question.
• It is very important that you become adept at navigating and reading through the Civil Code quickly and efficiently.

Dates and Passing Grade

• Each exam is held only once per year. Ethics in September and Civil I and II in December.
• To register for the exams you must submit your forms before July 1st for the Ethics exam and October 1 for Civil I and II exams.
• You must score a grade of 60% or higher on each exam. If you receive a mark of less than 60% on an exam, you must retake the failed exam within the next three years. You do not need to retake any exams that you pass.

To learn more, please follow: Details of the Québec Equivalency Process.