Bricklaying

Bricklaying is a craft trade (Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act) entitling the holder to bricklaying work in the construction and reconstruction of buildings – masonry, plastering, concreting. It requires a professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act.

Conditions for operating

General conditions (Section 6 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll.): full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. The Trade Licensing Office also examines whether there are any obstacles to carrying on the trade (Section 8) – for example a ban on the activity in the field imposed by a court or administrative authority. Medical fitness and liability insurance are not required.

The professional qualification as a special condition (Section 7) is proven under Sections 21 and 22 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll. – one of the following options is sufficient:

Under Section 21 (a document in the relevant field): an apprenticeship certificate (secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate); or a school-leaving certificate (secondary education with a school-leaving examination); or a diploma from higher professional education (higher professional school); or a university diploma in the relevant area of study programmes; or a certificate of recognition of professional qualification; or a certificate of verification/recognition of a full professional qualification under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.

Under Section 22 (substitute variants): education in a related field (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving examination, higher professional school or university) + 1 year of practice in the field; or retraining for the given field + 1 year of practice in the field; or 6 years of practice in the field without a certificate of education.

The qualification may also be documented through a responsible representative (Section 11).

The trade licence arises on the day of notification. Administrative fee of CZK 1,000 (in person) or CZK 800 (electronically). Entry in the Trade Register within 5 working days.

Examples of activities

masonry of load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls and partitions
interior and exterior plastering and stuccoing
concreting of foundations and slabs
laying of floors and screeds
waterproofing and damp-proofing
reconstruction and repair of masonry structures
masonry of chimneys

What the Bricklaying trade is and what it is for

Bricklaying is a craft trade (Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act) that entitles you to carry out bricklaying work in the construction, alteration, repair and reconstruction of buildings. This includes classic work on a building site: masonry of load-bearing and non-load-bearing structures, plastering, concreting, laying floors, waterproofing and related finishing work. It is one of the most common construction trades for self-employed persons and firms in the construction industry.

The licence serves to enable you to carry out the bricklaying craft legally and to invoice customers in your own name. Because it is a craft trade, the law requires documentation of a professional qualification.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

The Bricklaying trade covers in particular the following activities:

masonry of load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls, partitions and chimneys,
interior and exterior plastering, stuccoing and tiling substrates,
concreting of foundations, slabs and smaller concrete structures,
laying floors, screeds and simple waterproofing and damp-proofing,
minor building alterations, repairs and reconstruction of masonry structures.

Boundaries with neighbouring trades: Bricklaying is a separate trade, but in the construction industry it is connected to other craft fields with their own licences – for example Joinery and flooring, Roofing and carpentry, Plumbing and heating installation or Painting, lacquering and decorating. If you also carry out this work, you need the relevant separate trade for it.

Caution: Carrying out constructions as a whole (the complete realisation of a building including its management) falls under the regulated trade Carrying out constructions, their alterations and removal, which has stricter requirements for professional qualification. Bricklaying covers the bricklaying work itself, not the general delivery of a construction.

Conditions for obtaining it under the law

Bricklaying is a craft trade, so you must meet the general conditions as well as the professional qualification (the special condition).

General conditions (Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act): full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. The Trade Licensing Office also examines whether there are any obstacles to carrying on the trade (Section 8) – for example a ban on the activity in the field imposed by a court or administrative authority. Medical fitness and liability insurance are not required for this trade.

Professional qualification (Section 7, proven under Sections 21 and 22 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll.) – it is sufficient to meet one of the following options:

Under Section 21 you document one of the following in the relevant field:

an apprenticeship certificate (secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate),
a school-leaving certificate (secondary education with a school-leaving examination),
a diploma from a higher professional school,
a university diploma in the relevant area of study programmes,
a certificate of recognition of professional qualification, or a certificate of verification/recognition of a full professional qualification under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.

Under Section 22 the qualification can also be substituted as follows:

education in a related field (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving examination, higher professional school or university) + 1 year of practice in the field,
retraining for the given field + 1 year of practice in the field,
or 6 years of practice in the field (without a certificate of education).

Responsible representative (Section 11): If you do not meet the professional qualification yourself, you may carry on the trade through a responsible representative – a person who meets the conditions and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade. A single person may act as a responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.

How to notify the trade step by step

Prepare your documents on professional qualification (see above) and proof of identity.
Complete the Unified Registration Form (JRF) to notify the trade.
Submit the notification at any Trade Licensing Office (municipal Trade Licensing Office), electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT branch.
Pay the administrative fee.
Await the entry – the Trade Licensing Office will make the entry in the Trade Register within 5 working days of delivery of the notification.

The trade licence arises as early as the day of notification (provided you meet the conditions), not only upon entry. A detailed procedure can be found in the guide How to set up a trade.

Documents and fees

Proof of identity (identity card / passport).
Proof of professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving examination, diploma, certificate of retraining or practice, etc.).
Where applicable, the consent and documents of the responsible representative (Section 11).
An administrative fee of CZK 1,000 on notification (in person), or CZK 800 for electronic submission via rzp.gov.cz.
Entry deadline: within 5 working days of notification.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an apprenticeship certificate for bricklaying?

Not necessarily. An apprenticeship certificate in the field is only one of the routes. You can also document the qualification with a school-leaving examination, a higher professional school/university diploma in the field, a related field with a year of practice, retraining with a year of practice, or 6 years of practice in the field.

How do I prove 6 years of practice in the field?

You usually document practice with confirmation from previous employers, employment contracts, or references for independent performance of the craft. Verify the specific acceptable documents in advance with the Trade Licensing Office.

Can I carry on bricklaying without my own qualification?

Yes, if you appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the professional qualification and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade.

When can I start doing business?

The trade licence arises on the day of notification, provided you meet all the conditions. You therefore do not have to wait for the entry in the register (within 5 working days).

Does bricklaying also cover the complete construction of a house?

No. The general delivery and carrying out of constructions as a whole falls under the regulated trade Carrying out constructions, their alterations and removal. Bricklaying covers the bricklaying work.