Animal training (dressage)
Field of activity No. 32 under the Trade Licensing Act.
What you need: Specific expertise set by law (education, experience, certification).
- Vázaná živnost
- Field No. 32
- See conditions below
- 6 activity examples
Animal training (dressage) is a regulated trade (listed in Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act) entitling the holder to train animals for the purpose of performing before the public, for example in circuses, variety shows or in visual media. To obtain it, you must evidence professional qualification (education focused on animal husbandry, animal science or veterinary medicine and corresponding experience) and meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act.
Professional qualification (Sections 6 to 8 and Section 24 of the Trade Licensing Act and Annex 2) – it is sufficient to meet one of these options:
1) A university degree in a study programme and field of study focused on animal husbandry, animal science or veterinary medicine + 1 year of experience in the field.
2) Higher vocational education in a field of education focused on animal husbandry, animal science or veterinary science + 2 years of experience in the field.
3) Secondary education with a school-leaving examination (maturita) in a field of education focused on animal husbandry, animal science or veterinary science + 2 years of experience in the field.
4) Secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in a field of education focused on animal husbandry or animal science + 3 years of experience in the field.
5) A retraining certificate or another document on professional qualification for the relevant work activity issued by an institution accredited under special legislation, by an institution accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, or by the ministry within whose remit the given sector falls + 4 years of experience in the field.
Professional qualification may be evidenced through a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act.
Neither medical fitness nor professional liability insurance is required.
Examples of activities
- circus dressage and rehearsing performances with animals
- training animals for film and television production
- preparing horses and other animals for public performances and variety shows
- rehearsing animal acts for variety and stage shows
- training animals for advertising and visual media
- animal dressage for theatrical and cultural performances
What the trade is and what it is for
Animal training (dressage) is a regulated trade listed in Annex 2 to Trade Licensing Act No. 455/1991 Coll. It entitles you to train animals with the aim of having them perform before the public – for example in circuses, variety shows or in visual media (film, television, advertising). This is a specialised activity for which the law requires evidence of professional competence, because working with animals at public performances places high demands on safety and on knowledge of animal behaviour and needs.
The licence is needed by a circus dresseur, an animal trainer for film production and anyone who prepares animal acts for stage, variety and cultural performances. Dressage is tied to a specific aim – performing before the public; this is what distinguishes it from ordinary animal husbandry or hobby training.
What falls under this trade (and what does not)
The trade Animal training (dressage) covers in particular:
- rehearsing and preparing circus and variety performances with animals,
- training animals for film, television, advertising and visual media,
- preparing horses and other animals for public performances and shows,
- rehearsing animal acts for stage and cultural performances.
Where the boundaries lie. Mere animal husbandry and animal training outside the aim of public performance (for example training dogs for clients or preparing riding horses for non-artistic purposes) falls under the unqualified (free) trade “Keeping and training of animals (with the exception of animal production)”, whose scope expressly excludes dressage. Trading in animals intended for hobby keeping is a separate regulated trade. If you combine several activities, notify each trade separately. If you are in doubt about how to classify a particular activity, contact your Trade Licensing Office.
Beyond the Trade Licensing Act, when working with animals you must comply with the rules on the protection of animals against cruelty and other veterinary requirements; these obligations apply independently of the trade licence.
Conditions for obtaining the licence 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 a Czech citizen, the office verifies the clean criminal record itself by means of an extract from the Criminal Records Register.
Because this is a regulated trade, you additionally evidence professional qualification, laid down directly in Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act (regulation under Sections 6 to 8 and Section 24 of the Act). Unlike a craft trade, it cannot be replaced by mere experience – you must meet one of the specifically listed options:
| Education | Required experience |
|---|---|
| University degree focused on animal husbandry, animal science or veterinary medicine | 1 year in the field |
| Higher vocational education focused on animal husbandry, animal science or veterinary science | 2 years in the field |
| Secondary education with a maturita in the fields stated above | 2 years in the field |
| Secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate focused on animal husbandry or animal science | 3 years in the field |
| Retraining certificate or another document on professional qualification (accredited institution) | 4 years in the field |
Responsible representative (Section 11). You do not necessarily have to hold the qualification in person. You can operate the trade through a responsible representative – a natural person in a contractual relationship who meets both the general and the professional conditions on your behalf. One person may act as responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.
How to notify or obtain the licence step by step
- Prepare the documents – proof of identity and proof of professional qualification (education and experience under Annex 2).
- Complete the Unified Registration Form (JRF). With a single form you notify the trade and at the same time register for income tax, with the Social Security Administration and with your health insurer.
- File the notification in person at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or through a Czech POINT contact point.
- Pay the administrative fee – CZK 1,000 on notification of the trade, or CZK 800 for an electronic filing via rzp.gov.cz.
- Start trading. For a notifiable trade, the trade licence takes effect on the day of notification. The office issues the extract from the Trade Register within 5 working days of the date a flawless notification is delivered.
A detailed universal procedure can be found in the guide how to start a trade.
Documents and fees
- Proof of identity (identity card or passport).
- Proof of professional qualification (education and experience under Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act).
- Where applicable, the responsible representative's declaration, if you evidence the qualification through them.
- Professional qualification is evidenced (this is a regulated trade) – it cannot be replaced by experience alone.
- Administrative fee: CZK 1,000 (notification in person) / CZK 800 (electronically via rzp.gov.cz).
- Time limit: registration and extract within 5 working days.
Frequently asked questions
Is long-standing experience alone enough for dressage?
No. For a regulated trade, the qualification cannot be replaced by mere experience, as it can with a craft trade. You must always evidence one of the education options from Annex 2 plus the corresponding number of years of experience (1 to 4 years depending on the level of education).
What if I do not have the required education?
You can appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets both the professional qualification and the general conditions on your behalf and is in a contractual relationship with you.
What is the difference between dressage and ordinary animal training?
Dressage is tied to animals performing before the public (circus, variety shows, media). Animal training outside this aim (for example training dogs or riding horses for non-artistic purposes) falls under the unqualified (free) trade “Keeping and training of animals (with the exception of animal production)”, which expressly excludes dressage.
Do I need a health card or professional liability insurance?
For this trade, the Trade Licensing Act requires neither medical fitness nor professional liability insurance. However, you must comply with the rules on the protection of animals and with veterinary requirements.
When can I start trading?
The licence takes effect on the day of notification. You will usually receive the extract from the Trade Register within 5 working days.