Plumbing, heating engineering

A craft trade comprising the installation, fitting, repair and maintenance of internal water, sewerage and heating systems in buildings. To obtain it you must meet the general conditions under Sections 6 to 8 and demonstrate a professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act.

Conditions for operating

General conditions under Sections 6 to 8 of the Trade Licensing Act: full legal capacity and a clean criminal record (Section 6) and the absence of impediments to operating a trade (Section 8). Medical fitness and liability insurance are not required.

Professional qualification under Section 21, evidenced by one of the following variants:
- secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field of education;
- secondary education with a school-leaving examination in the relevant field of education (or including vocational training subjects in the relevant field);
- higher vocational education in the relevant field of education;
- university education in the relevant area of study programmes and fields of study;
- proof of recognition of professional qualification issued by a recognition authority;
- proof of verification or recognition of attainment of full qualification for the relevant field under Act No 179/2006 Coll.

Alternative ways of demonstrating the qualification under Section 22:
- education in a related field + 1 year of practice in the field;
- retraining for the relevant work activity + 1 year of practice in the field;
- six years of practice in the field (without proof of education).

The professional qualification may also be ensured through a responsible representative under Section 11. One person may act as a responsible representative for at most four entrepreneurs.

Examples of activities

installation and fitting of internal cold and hot water distribution systems
installation and repairs of internal sewerage and drains
installation of heating systems, radiators and underfloor heating
connecting and replacing boilers, water heaters and hot water tanks
installation of sanitary fittings (washbasins, baths, WCs, taps)
repairs and maintenance of water and heating distribution systems
pressure tests and commissioning of water and heating systems
bathroom reconstruction within the scope of plumbing and heating work

What this trade is and what it is for

Plumbing, heating engineering is a craft trade (Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act, field No 25). It authorises you to install, fit, repair and maintain internal water, sewerage and heating systems in buildings. This includes in particular cold and hot service water distribution, internal sewerage and drains, heating systems, radiators, underfloor heating and the connection of heat and hot water sources.

This is a craft trade for which the law requires a professional qualification. The reason is that poor-quality water and heating installation can cause property damage and endanger the health of the building's users. The authorisation arises on the day of notification at the Trade Licensing Office, provided you meet the conditions laid down by law.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

The trade typically covers the following activities:

installation and repairs of internal water systems (cold and hot water) and sanitary fittings (washbasins, baths, WCs, taps),
installation and repairs of internal sewerage and drains,
installation of heating systems, radiators, manifolds and underfloor heating,
connecting and replacing boilers, water heaters and hot water tanks,
pressure tests and commissioning of distribution systems.

The boundaries with neighbouring craft trades are important. Installation, repairs and reconstruction of refrigeration equipment and heat pumps is a separate craft trade (field No 24). For gas equipment, although the installation of internal gas distribution lines falls within the content of this field, the installation, repairs, inspections and testing of dedicated gas equipment and the filling of containers with gases (for example inspections of gas boilers and distribution lines) is a separate craft trade (field No 26) and additionally requires authorisation under Act No 250/2021 Coll., on occupational safety in connection with the operation of dedicated technical equipment. Likewise, inspections and tests of dedicated pressure equipment fall under a different regime. You therefore cannot perform dedicated inspection and testing activities solely on the basis of this trade. If you want to offer such work as well, you need the relevant separate authorisation.

Conditions for obtaining the trade under the law

You must meet the general conditions under Sections 6 to 8 of the Trade Licensing Act, i.e. full legal capacity and a clean criminal record (Section 6), and there must be no impediment to operating a trade (Section 8). Medical fitness and liability insurance are not required for this trade.

You must also demonstrate a professional qualification under Section 21, namely with one of the variants:

secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field,
secondary education with a school-leaving examination in the relevant field (or including vocational training subjects in the field),
higher vocational education in the relevant field,
university education in the relevant area of study programmes and fields of study,
proof of recognition of professional qualification issued by a recognition authority,
proof of verification or recognition of full qualification under Act No 179/2006 Coll.

If you do not have education directly in the field, you will use the alternative documents under Section 22: education in a related field + 1 year of practice; retraining + 1 year of practice; or 6 years of practice in the field without proof of education.

If you do not have the qualification yourself, you can operate the trade 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 a responsible representative for at most four entrepreneurs.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

Prepare your proof of education or practice (see above) and proof of identity.
Fill in the Unified Registration Form (JRF).
Submit the notification at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
Pay the administrative fee: CZK 1,000 for a first notification of a trade (CZK 800 for electronic submission via rzp.gov.cz).
The Trade Licensing Office will make the entry in the Trade Register usually within 5 working days of notification. The authorisation, however, arises already on the day of notification.

A detailed procedure can be found in the guide how to start a trade.

Documents and fees

proof of identity,
proof of professional qualification under Section 21, or alternative proof under Section 22 (education in a related field, retraining, confirmation of practice),
a completed Unified Registration Form (JRF),
where applicable, documents relating to the responsible representative under Section 11,
administrative fee: CZK 1,000 (in paper form) / CZK 800 (electronically via rzp.gov.cz).

Frequently asked questions

Is an apprenticeship certificate enough, or do I also need practice?

If you have an apprenticeship certificate (or a school-leaving examination, higher vocational school or university qualification) directly in the relevant field, you do not have to prove practice. Practice is required only for the alternative variants under Section 22 – that is, for a related field (1 year), retraining (1 year), or where you demonstrate the qualification by practice alone (6 years).

Can I connect a gas boiler on the basis of this trade?

Installation of the internal gas distribution lines themselves falls within the content of this field, but the installation, repairs, inspections and testing of dedicated gas equipment (which includes the connection and inspection of a gas boiler) require a separate craft trade (field No 26) and authorisation under Act No 250/2021 Coll. Without this authorisation you therefore may not connect and inspect a gas boiler.

I have no vocational education or long practice. How do I start?

You can appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the professional qualification, or you can complete a retraining course and gain the required year of practice.

When can I start doing business?

The trade licence arises on the day of notification. The office will make the entry in the register usually within 5 working days.

Is a health certificate or insurance required?

No. For this trade, neither medical fitness nor liability insurance is required (Section 6 of Act No 455/1991 Coll.).