Installation, repairs and reconstruction of refrigeration equipment and heat pumps

A craft trade authorising the installation, repair and reconstruction of refrigeration equipment, air conditioning and heat pumps. It requires a professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act.

Examples of activities

• installation and fitting of air-conditioning units (split, multi-split)
• installation of air-to-water, ground-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps
• installation of cold rooms, freezer rooms and refrigerated display cases
• servicing and repairs of refrigeration circuits
• leak checking, charging and recovery of refrigerant
• reconstruction and modernisation of air-conditioning systems
• commissioning of refrigeration equipment
• installation of industrial refrigeration circuits

What this trade is and what it is for

Refrigeration equipment and heat pumps work on the principle of a closed refrigeration circuit in which a refrigerant circulates. This trade comprises the professional installation, repair and reconstruction of such equipment. It includes the installation of new air-conditioning systems, cold rooms, refrigeration plants and heat pumps for heating and water heating, as well as the subsequent servicing and modernisation of existing systems. The aim is to deliver and maintain functional, safe and leak-tight refrigeration equipment.

This is a craft trade (Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act), so you must demonstrate a professional qualification. The authorisation entitles you to carry out the activity under a trade licence and to do business on a continuous basis, in your own name and on your own responsibility.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

This trade covers in particular:

• installation and fitting of air-conditioning units (split, multi-split),
• installation of air-to-water, ground-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps,
• installation of cold rooms, freezer rooms, refrigerated display cases and industrial refrigeration circuits,
• repairs, maintenance and leak checking of refrigeration circuits, charging and recovery of refrigerant,
• reconstruction and modernisation of existing refrigeration and air-conditioning systems,
• commissioning of refrigeration equipment and heat pumps.

Boundaries with neighbouring trades: the electrical connection itself, which requires a professional qualification in electrical engineering, falls under the trade "Installation, repairs, inspections and testing of electrical equipment". Connection to the heating system and water distribution belongs to the trade "Plumbing, heating engineering". The handling of regulated substances and fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) is regulated separately beyond the Trade Licensing Act – for work with refrigerants that are F-gases, you need a certificate under EU Regulation No 517/2014 and Act No 73/2012 Coll. Always check the specific scope with the Trade Licensing Office.

Conditions for obtaining the trade under the law

You must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act: be fully legally capable and have a clean criminal record. A clean criminal record is proven by an extract from the Criminal Records register, which the office obtains itself. At the same time, there must be no impediments to operating a trade under Section 8 (for example the still-ongoing effects of an insolvency decision, or a ban on activity imposed by a court or administrative authority). The law does not require medical fitness or liability insurance for this trade.

You must also demonstrate a professional qualification, which for a craft trade is a special condition of operation under Section 7. Under Section 21 you prove it with one of the following documents:

• proof of proper completion of secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field,
• proof of proper completion of secondary education with a school-leaving examination in the relevant field,
• proof of proper completion of higher vocational education in the relevant field,
• proof of proper completion of university education in the relevant area,
• proof of recognition of professional qualification.

If you do not have education directly in the field, you can use the alternative options under Section 22:

• education in a related field (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving examination, higher vocational school or university) and 1 year of practice in the field,
• proof of retraining and 1 year of practice in the field,
• or proof of 6 years of practice in the field without proof of education.

You do not have to meet the professional qualification in person. You can appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the conditions on your behalf. The responsible representative is responsible for the proper operation of the trade and for compliance with trade-law regulations, must be in a contractual relationship with the entrepreneur, and one person may perform this role for at most four entrepreneurs.

How to notify the trade step by step

1. Prepare your proof of education and practice and proof of identity.
2. Fill in the Unified Registration Form (JRF).
3. Submit the notification at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
4. Pay the administrative fee of CZK 1,000 for an in-person notification, or CZK 800 for electronic submission.
5. The office makes the entry in the Trade Register within 5 working days of notification.

The trade licence arises on the day of notification, provided you meet all the conditions. A detailed guide can be found on the page /jak-zalozit-zivnost.

Documents and fees

• A completed Unified Registration Form (JRF).
• Proof of identity.
• Proof of professional qualification (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving examination, diploma, retraining or proof of practice).
• Where applicable, documents relating to the responsible representative, if you appoint one.
• Administrative fee: CZK 1,000 (in-person notification) / CZK 800 (electronically).

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an apprenticeship certificate directly in the field of refrigeration?

Not necessarily. Besides an apprenticeship certificate or school-leaving examination in the relevant field, you can use the alternative options under Section 22: education in a related field and 1 year of practice, retraining and 1 year of practice, or 6 years of practice in the field. The qualification can also be met by a responsible representative.

Is this trade enough for working with refrigerants?

The trade licence entitles you to carry out installation, repairs and reconstruction. However, to handle fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) you additionally need a certificate under EU Regulation No 517/2014 and Act No 73/2012 Coll. This obligation is independent of the Trade Licensing Act.

When can I start doing business?

The authorisation arises on the day of notification, provided you meet the conditions. The office will make the entry in the Trade Register within 5 working days.

How much will I pay for the notification?

The administrative fee is CZK 1,000 for an in-person notification and CZK 800 for electronic submission via the rzp.gov.cz portal.

Do I have to do business in person, or can I have employees?

You can do business on your own or with employees. If you do not meet the professional qualification yourself, appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who will demonstrate it on your behalf.

Sources

• Ministry of Education database of regulated activities – trade detail
• Act No 455/1991 Coll., on trade licensing (the Trade Licensing Act)
• Ministry of Industry and Trade