Sheet-metal work and bodywork repair
Field of activity No. 32 under the Trade Licensing Act.
What you need: Apprenticeship certificate, a relevant diploma or work experience (also possible via a responsible representative).
- Řemeslná živnost
- Field No. 32
- See conditions below
- 9 activity examples
A craft trade covering sheet-metal work (in particular construction sheet-metal work) and the repair of bodywork of road and non-road vehicles. To obtain it you must demonstrate professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act. The trade licence arises as early as the day of notification.
A special condition is professional qualification under Section 7 of the Trade Licensing Act and, at the same time, none of the obstacles to operating the trade under Section 8 of the Trade Licensing Act may persist.
Professional qualification under Section 21 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll. - one of the following options:
Apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field of education (properly completed secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate).
School-leaving certificate (maturita) in the relevant field of education (properly completed secondary education with a school-leaving examination).
Diploma of properly completed higher vocational education in the relevant field.
Diploma of properly completed university education in the relevant area of study programmes.
A document recognising professional qualification.
A document verifying or recognising a full professional qualification attained under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.
Alternative professional qualification under Section 22 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll. - one of the following options:
Education in a related field (apprenticeship certificate, maturita, higher vocational school or university) + 1 year of experience in the field.
A retraining certificate + 1 year of experience in the field.
6 years of experience in the field without a document of education.
Professional qualification may be ensured through a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act. One person may act as responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.
Examples of activities
- construction sheet-metal work - flashing of parapets, window sills, chimneys and roof penetrations
- manufacture and installation of gutters, downpipes and rainwater systems (made of sheet metal and plastic)
- sheet-metal elements of roofs and facades made of galvanised sheet, copper, titanium-zinc or aluminium
- panel beating, straightening and pulling out of bodywork panels after an accident
- replacement and welding of damaged bodywork parts (wings, sills, doors)
- filling, sanding, painting (spraying) and anti-corrosion protection of bodywork
- replacement of windscreens, windows and bodywork sealing elements
- renovation and repair of bodywork of historic and veteran vehicles
- custom manufacture of sheet-metal containers, tanks, covers and small structures
What this trade is and what it is for
The trade Sheet-metal work and bodywork repair is a craft trade listed in Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act. It combines two related areas of sheet-metal processing: sheet-metal work (primarily construction sheet-metal work) and the repair of bodywork of road and non-road vehicles.
The sheet-metal worker shapes, joins and assembles thin-walled sheet metal both manually and by machine - by bending, cutting, punching, seaming, soldering, riveting or welding. In the bodywork part of the trade, they repair, straighten and replace damaged sheet-metal parts of vehicles and carry out their surface finishing. The trade allows you to run a sheet-metal workshop, a bodywork service, or to offer the installation of sheet-metal elements directly on a construction site.
What falls under this trade (and what does not)
According to the content of the trade (Government Regulation No. 278/2008 Coll.), the following typically fall under this trade:
- construction sheet-metal work - manual and machine cutting and forming of fine steel sheet and sheet of non-ferrous metals; manufacture, installation and repair of gutters, downpipes and bends, roof windows, roof flashing and sheet-metal roof coverings;
- sheet-metal elements of roofs and facades made of galvanised sheet, copper, titanium-zinc or aluminium; manufacture of sheet-metal containers, tanks, ventilation equipment and covers;
- repair of bodywork of motor and non-motor vehicles, working machines, trailers and special superstructures - panel beating, straightening, pulling out and welding of damaged parts;
- surface finishing of bodywork by filling, sanding and painting (spraying), replacement of windscreens and vehicle windows, application of anti-corrosion agents and paint protection;
- within the trade, simple manual locksmith work, spot, seam, flame and arc welding, the fitting and repair of plastic guttering and gutters, and the lining of chimneys with metal liners may also be carried out.
Boundaries with neighbouring trades. The laying of the roof covering itself and carpentry structures are dealt with by the craft trade Roofing, carpentry. Mechanical and electrical repairs, servicing and diagnostics of vehicles (engine, chassis, brakes, electronics) are covered by the trade Repair of road vehicles. Comprehensive painting, lacquering and decorating work in the interior and exterior of buildings falls under the trade Painting, lacquering and decorating - the painting (spraying) of bodywork itself, however, remains part of this sheet-metal trade. Engineering and locksmith processing of metals beyond simple work then falls under Locksmithing, toolmaking. If you wish to offer several of these activities, also notify the corresponding additional trades.
Conditions for obtaining it under the law
The applicant (whether a natural or legal person) must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act - full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. It is examined whether the applicant has been convicted with final effect of an intentional criminal offence related to business. The law does not require medical fitness or liability insurance for this trade. At the same time, none of the obstacles to operating the trade under Section 8 (for example bankruptcy or a ban on activity imposed by a court or administrative authority) may persist for the applicant.
As a special condition (Section 7), it is necessary to demonstrate professional qualification under Section 21 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll., by one of the options: an apprenticeship certificate, a school-leaving certificate (maturita), a higher vocational school or university diploma in the relevant field, a document recognising professional qualification, or a document of professional qualification under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.
If you do not hold a document in the relevant field, you can use the alternative qualification under Section 22:
| Option | What you provide |
|---|---|
| Related field | education in a related field + 1 year of experience |
| Retraining | a retraining certificate + 1 year of experience |
| Experience only | 6 years of experience in the field without a document of education |
If you do not meet the qualification in person, you can ensure it through a responsible representative under Section 11 - a person who meets the conditions and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade. One person may act as responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.
How to notify or obtain the trade step by step
- Complete the Unified Registration Form (JRF). It serves to notify the trade and at the same time to register with the tax office, the social security administration and the health insurance company.
- Submit the notification at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
- Provide the documents - proof of identity, proof of professional qualification (see above), where applicable the consent of the responsible representative, and pay the administrative fee.
- Wait for the entry. The Trade Licensing Office will enter the trade in the Trade Register within 5 working days of receipt of the notification. The trade licence, however, arises as early as the day of notification (provided the conditions are met).
You will find the detailed procedure in the guide How to start a trade step by step.
Documents and fees
- proof of identity (identity card or passport);
- proof of professional qualification under Section 21, or alternative documents under Section 22 (education + experience, retraining, or 6 years of experience);
- for a responsible representative, their documents and declaration under Section 11;
- administrative fee of CZK 1,000 for notifying the trade, or CZK 800 for electronic submission via the JRF.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an apprenticeship certificate, or is experience enough?
An apprenticeship certificate is not a condition. Under Section 22, professional competence can also be demonstrated by 6 years of experience in the field without a document of education, or by education in a related field or retraining supplemented by 1 year of experience.
Does this trade also cover the painting of bodywork?
Yes. According to the content of the trade, it includes the surface finishing of bodywork by filling, sanding and painting (spraying) and anti-corrosion protection. You need the separate trade Painting, lacquering and decorating only for comprehensive painting, lacquering and decorating work on buildings beyond the scope of bodywork repairs.
Can I also repair engines and chassis of vehicles?
Not within this trade. Mechanical and electrical repairs of vehicles (engine, chassis, brakes, electronics) fall under the trade Repair of road vehicles. Sheet-metal work and bodywork repair concern the bodywork (sheet-metal) part of the vehicle and its surface finishing.
When can I start trading?
The trade licence arises on the day of notification, provided you meet all the conditions. The office will make the entry in the register within 5 working days, but you can start the activity as early as the day of notification.
Can the trade be operated through a responsible representative?
Yes. If you do not meet the professional qualification yourself, appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the conditions and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade. One person may act as responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.