Knowledge of the French language
All members of the Order must have appropriate knowledge of the French language required for the practice of the profession.
You must demonstrate this knowledge by submitting one of the following documents*:
- secondary school diploma issued by Quebec’s Ministère de l’Éducation as of and after the 1985-86 school year;
- secondary school transcript issued by Quebec’s Ministère de l’Éducation, indicating that you passed the fourth or fifth year secondary level examination for French as a first language;
- official transcript indicating that you received three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary instruction in French, regardless of the country;
- certificate attesting that you passed the exam of the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF).
If you are unable to provide any of these supporting documents, you must pass the OQLF exam. Once you are registered as a candidate for the practice of the profession with the Order, you must register for the OQLF examination, then provide us with proof that you have passed it as soon as possible. If you are not sure if you should take this exam, contact us at candidatCPA@cpaquebec.ca.
The Order will inform you whether you qualify for a temporary permit valid for one year. This permit is renewable under certain conditions so that you may continue to learn French and pass the OQLF exam.
Find out more
Watch our video to find out what level of French knowledge is required to become a CPA.Charter of the French Language
The amendments made to the Charter of the French Language under the Act respecting French, the official and common language of Quebec (Bill 96) are meant to strengthen the status of French in all spheres of Quebec society. Toward that end, several new provisions directly concern professional orders, their members and candidates for the practice of a profession.
One of these provisions requires the Order to communicate exclusively in French, both orally and in writing, with its members and candidates for the profession.
Once you become a member of the Order, you must maintain knowledge of the French language that is appropriate to the practice of the profession for as long as you hold a CPA permit. This is a requirement that you must fulfill if you wish to practice the CPA profession or any other profession in Quebec.
See all obligations concerning use of the French language >
Questions?
Visit the OQLF website or email us at permistemporaires@cpaquebec.ca for CPA members, or at candidatCPA@cpaquebec.ca for candidates for the practice of the profession.