Installation, repairs, inspections and testing of electrical equipment
Field of activity No. 23 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. 23
- See conditions below
- 8 activity examples
A craft trade (listed in Annex 1, Part A of the Trade Licensing Act) authorising the installation, repair, inspection and testing of electrical equipment, i.e. electrical wiring. In addition to the general professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22, it also requires a professional qualification in electrical engineering under the relevant regulations (Section 9 and Annexes 1 and 2 to Decree No 50/1978 Coll., now replaced by Government Regulation No 194/2022 Coll.).
Professional qualification under Section 21 of the Trade Licensing Act – one of the following documents:
- an apprenticeship certificate (proof of proper completion of secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate) in an electrical field,
- a school-leaving certificate from a secondary school of an electrical engineering orientation, or one including vocational training subjects in the relevant field,
- a diploma from a higher vocational school or university in the relevant (electrical engineering) field,
- proof of recognition of professional qualification under Section 9 of Decree No 123/2022 Coll. (Directive 2005/36/EC).
Alternative qualification under Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act – one of the variants:
- education in a related field + 1 year of practice in the field,
- retraining (an accredited course) + 1 year of practice in the field,
- 6 years of practice in the field without proof of education.
Special condition: a professional qualification in electrical engineering under Section 9 and Annexes 1 and 2 to Decree No 50/1978 Coll., on professional qualification in electrical engineering. As of 1 July 2022 this decree was repealed and replaced by Act No 250/2021 Coll. and Government Regulation No 194/2022 Coll.; certificates issued previously remain valid until the end of their original term. The required qualification and practice differ according to the scope of activity (machinery, equipment up to 1000 V, no voltage limit, lightning conductors) and, depending on the level of education attained, usually range from 2 to 8 years.
Medical fitness: physical and mental fitness to carry out work on electrical equipment.
The qualification may be demonstrated through a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act (one person may perform this role for at most 4 entrepreneurs).
Examples of activities
- installation of electrical wiring in family houses and flats
- electrical wiring in industrial and commercial premises
- repairs and reconstruction of electrical distribution systems and switchboards
- inspections of electrical equipment and appliances
- testing of electrical equipment to verify its safe condition
- installation and inspection of lightning conductors (protection against lightning)
- connecting and repairing electrical machines and appliances
- installation of equipment up to 1000 V and without voltage limit according to the scope of qualification
What this trade is and what it is for
The trade Installation, repairs, inspections and testing of electrical equipment is a craft trade listed in Annex 1 (Part A) of the Trade Licensing Act. It authorises you to work professionally on electrical equipment – that is, to carry out electrical installations, their repairs and reconstruction, and to perform inspections and tests on completed equipment to verify its safety. This is a regulated activity, because work on electricity is directly connected with the protection of life, health and property.
Unlike an unqualified (free) trade, here you must demonstrate a professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 and, in addition, a professional qualification in electrical engineering. This makes the trade one of the most demanding craft trades.
What falls under this trade (and what does not)
The trade covers in particular:
- installation of electrical wiring in flats, houses and industrial premises,
- repairs, maintenance and reconstruction of electrical distribution systems, switchboards and appliances,
- installation and inspection of lightning conductors (protection against lightning and overvoltage),
- inspections of electrical equipment and tests verifying its safe condition,
- work on equipment up to 1000 V and without voltage limit (according to the scope of your qualification).
What does not belong here: the mere design of electrical equipment is a separate unqualified (free) trade, "Design of electrical equipment". Manufacture, installation and repairs of electrical machines and devices, on the other hand, is a separate craft trade; the manufacture and repair of electronic equipment operating on low voltage falls under an unqualified (free) trade. If you want to work on dedicated technical equipment, always follow the scope of authorisation that corresponds to your electrical engineering qualification.
Conditions for obtaining the trade under the law
You must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act – full legal capacity and a clean criminal record (for this activity, any ban on activity is assessed in particular). There must also be no impediments to operating a trade under Section 8.
You also need a professional qualification under Section 21, evidenced by one of the following documents:
- an apprenticeship certificate in an electrical field,
- a school-leaving certificate from a secondary school of an electrical engineering orientation,
- a higher vocational school or university diploma in the relevant field,
- proof of recognition of professional qualification under Section 9 of Decree No 123/2022 Coll. (Directive 2005/36/EC).
If you do not have these documents, use the alternative qualification under Section 22:
| Variant | What you provide |
|---|---|
| Related field | education + 1 year of practice |
| Retraining | certificate + 1 year of practice |
| No proof of education | 6 years of practice in the field |
In addition, you must hold a professional qualification in electrical engineering under Section 9 and Annexes 1 and 2 to Decree No 50/1978 Coll. As of 1 July 2022 this decree was repealed and replaced by Act No 250/2021 Coll. and Government Regulation No 194/2022 Coll. (certificates issued earlier remain valid until the end of their original validity). Depending on the scope of activity (machinery, up to 1000 V, no voltage limit, lightning conductors) and on the level of education, the required practice usually ranges from 2 to 8 years.
If you do not personally meet the qualification conditions, they can be demonstrated through a responsible representative under Section 11 – a person who has the qualification and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade. One person may act as a responsible representative for at most 4 entrepreneurs.
How to notify or obtain the trade step by step
- Fill in the Unified Registration Form (JRF).
- Submit it at any Trade Licensing Office, online via rzp.gov.cz or through Czech POINT.
- Provide proof of your professional qualification (Section 21 or Section 22) and of your professional qualification in electrical engineering (or the documents of a responsible representative).
- Pay the administrative fee of CZK 1,000 (CZK 800 for electronic submission).
- The office makes the entry within 5 working days; the authorisation arises on the day of notification, provided you meet the conditions.
A detailed procedure can be found in the guide /jak-zalozit-zivnost.
Documents and fees
- a completed JRF,
- proof of identity,
- proof of professional qualification (Section 21 or Section 22),
- proof of professional qualification in electrical engineering (under Decree No 50/1978 Coll., or Government Regulation No 194/2022 Coll.),
- in the case of a responsible representative, their consent and documents,
- a fee of CZK 1,000 (CZK 800 electronically).
Frequently asked questions
Is an electrician's apprenticeship certificate alone enough?
An apprenticeship certificate in an electrical field satisfies Section 21, but to work on electrical equipment you additionally need a professional qualification in electrical engineering under the relevant regulations (Decree No 50/1978 Coll., or Government Regulation No 194/2022 Coll.). Without it you cannot independently carry out inspections and tests.
Can I obtain the trade without education in the field?
Yes, through Section 22 – for example with 6 years of practice in the field. Even so, you must still demonstrate an electrical engineering qualification with the corresponding practice.
When can I start doing business?
The authorisation arises on the day of notification, provided you meet all conditions. The office will make the entry in the Trade Register within 5 working days.
What if I do not have the qualification myself, but my employee does?
You can appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who holds the professional qualification. The same person may act as a responsible representative for at most four entrepreneurs.