Planning For Your Professional Career – The OQLF French Language Examination

It’s important to look ahead. For many people in Québec, working in their career of choice goes hand in hand with membership in a professional order. That rule applies to new graduates, more experienced workers as well as newcomers bringing their valuable skills to the province.

If upon graduation, you hope to begin a career that calls for membership in one of Québec’s many professional orders, you must meet set criteria related to your knowledge of French, Québec’s official language. It’s important to note that the criteria cover both spoken and written French language communication skills.

The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF), through its Charter of the French Language, clarifies these criteria in Articles 35 and 36. It’s important to know what the articles address.

Where Do You Stand?

Article 35 states that professional orders may provide permits only to those who have the appropriate knowledge of French to carry out their profession. Within Québec, a large number of professional orders serve as regulatory bodies for members of specific professions. An order will consider that you have appropriate knowledge if you:

• • Followed, on a full-time basis, a minimum of three years education at the secondary or post-secondary level in French.

or

• • Passed French (mother tongue) examinations at the 4th or 5th year secondary level.

or

• • Obtained a Québec secondary school diploma (SSD) as of the 1985-1986 academic year.

or

• Hold an equivalent certificate for comparative studies done outside Québec, as defined by the regulation.

However, according to Article 36, if you are a student registered with an educational institution and “plan to obtain a diploma that qualifies you to practice a profession”, you may choose to prove your ability to communicate appropriately in French in the two years preceding your graduation. Your educational institution can help coordinate this step. It does not, however, coordinate the steps leading to obtaining a temporary permit.

Who Offers the Examination?

The Service de l’évaluation du français pour les ordres professionnels (SEFOP):

• Issues French language examinations to those who wish to become members of a professional order.
• Analyses requests for renewal of ˝temporary permits˝ issued by professional orders (as per Article 37). They are issued to those with a diploma from outside Québec who are capable of working in their profession, but who don’t meet Article 35 criteria.
  • This temporary permit is valid for one year and can be renewed three times.
  • The OQLF may authorise renewal if warranted for public good.
  • The French examination may be taken within the first year of having the permit.

The OQLF Examination…What’s It All About?

The OQLF French language examination is made up of four sections that test the level of your oral and written comprehension and expression. The degree of difficulty in each section varies based on the level of education required to carry out the profession.

Frequently Asked Questions