Foundry work, model making

A craft trade for casting metals and making patterns and moulds for castings. To notify it you need a professional qualification in the field (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving certificate, diploma) or practical experience, plus fulfilment of the general conditions under the Trade Licensing Act.

Examples of activities

• casting of metals (both ferrous and non-ferrous)
• manufacture of foundry patterns
• manufacture of moulds and cores for castings
• pressure and gravity casting of metals
• manufacture of pattern equipment
• operation of a foundry
• finishing and fettling work on castings
• casting of artistic objects and sculptures

What the trade is and what it is for

The craft trade Foundry work, model making covers the casting of metals and the manufacture of the patterns and moulds from which castings are produced. It is one of the craft trades listed in Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act (Act No. 455/1991 Coll.).

On the basis of this licence you may operate in the production of castings from ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys, manufacture foundry patterns, moulds and cores, and run a foundry. The trade covers the whole chain from preparing the pattern equipment and the mould, through pouring the melt itself, to finishing operations on the finished casting.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

The trade covers in particular:

• casting of metals and alloys (cast iron, steel, aluminium, bronze, brass and others);
• manufacture of foundry patterns, pattern equipment, moulds and cores;
• gravity, pressure, centrifugal and chill casting;
• finishing, fettling and trimming work on castings;
• casting of artistic and decorative objects.

Boundaries with neighbouring trades. This trade must be distinguished from the related crafts that follow it. Machining of castings by chip-forming methods (turning, milling) falls under the trade Machining, hot forging and forming of metals under Smithing, farriery, and sheet-metal work under Tinsmithing and bodywork repair. Electroplating and other surface treatments of metals also have a separate trade. If you wish to carry out several of these activities, notify the corresponding trades separately.

Statutory conditions for obtaining the trade

This is a craft trade, so you must meet both the general conditions and the professional qualification requirement.

General conditions (Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act): full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. A clean criminal record is proved by an extract from the Criminal Records Register, which the office obtains itself. Neither medical fitness nor liability insurance is required for this trade.

Professional qualification (Section 21): you demonstrate it by one of the following documents:

1. an apprenticeship certificate from the relevant field of education;
2. a school-leaving (maturita) certificate from the relevant field, or from a field with vocational-preparation subjects;
3. a higher vocational education diploma in the relevant field;
4. a university diploma in the relevant area of study programmes;
5. proof of recognition of professional qualification under Section 7(5);
6. proof of obtaining a full professional qualification for the relevant field under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.

Alternative means of proof (Section 22): if you do not have education directly in the field, education in a related field (apprenticeship certificate, maturita, higher vocational or university) supplemented by 1 year of experience in the field is sufficient, or retraining for the activity in question plus 1 year of experience, or alternatively 6 years of experience in the field without proof of education.

Responsible representative (Section 11): if you do not hold the qualification yourself, you may operate the trade through a responsible representative 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 four entrepreneurs.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

1. Fill in the Unified Registration Form (URF). It also serves to register for tax and for social and health insurance.
2. Submit the notification. In person at any municipal Trade Licensing Office (central registration point), electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT branch.
3. Document your professional qualification (proof of education or experience under Sections 21/22), or appoint a responsible representative.
4. Pay the administrative fee of CZK 1,000 on notification; for an electronic submission via rzp.gov.cz the fee is CZK 800.
5. Wait for registration. The Trade Licensing Office registers the trade in the Trade Register, as a rule within 5 working days of the notification.

The trade licence comes into existence on the day of notification (once the conditions are met), not only upon registration. You will find the detailed procedure in the guide How to set up a trade step by step.

Documents and fees

• Unified Registration Form (URF) – notification of the trade.
• Proof of identity (identity card or passport).
• Proof of professional qualification under Section 21, or of experience and education under Section 22.
• When using a responsible representative, their documents and consent to the appointment.
• Administrative fee: CZK 1,000 (notification), CZK 800 (electronically via rzp.gov.cz).
• Registration period: as a rule within 5 working days of the notification.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an apprenticeship certificate for foundry work?

It need not necessarily be an apprenticeship certificate. The qualification can also be proved by a maturita, a higher vocational or university diploma in the field, recognition of professional qualification, or a full professional qualification under Section 21. If you do not have such education, you use the alternative route under Section 22 (related field or retraining with 1 year of experience, or 6 years of experience in the field).

What if I have no education in foundry work at all?

6 years of experience in the field under Section 22 is sufficient, even without proof of education. The second option is to appoint a responsible representative (Section 11) who meets the professional qualification on your behalf.

How long does processing take and when can I start trading?

The licence comes into existence on the day of notification, so you may trade immediately once the conditions are met. The office enters the trade in the Trade Register, as a rule within 5 working days.

Does machining and finishing of castings fall under this trade?

Finishing and fettling work directly on castings, yes. However, chip-forming machining (turning, milling) belongs to the separate trade Machining – for that activity, notify the corresponding trade separately.

Can I operate the trade without my own qualification?

Yes, through a responsible representative under Section 11. They must meet the professional qualification and the general conditions and are responsible for the proper operation of the trade.

Sources

• Database of regulated activities – Ministry of Education (Foundry work, model making)
• Act No. 455/1991 Coll., on trade licensing (the Trade Licensing Act)
• Ministry of Industry and Trade