Geological work

Geological work is a regulated trade (Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act) for the prospecting, survey and assessment of the geological environment - deposit geology, hydrogeology and engineering geology. You demonstrate professional qualification by means of a certificate of professional qualification issued by the Ministry of the Environment; obtaining it requires a university degree in a geological field and 3 years of professional practice.

Conditions for operating

General conditions (Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act): full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. A clean criminal record is required for this trade (Section 6 of the Act); any prohibition of activity in the field or a related field is also examined. Obstacles to carrying on a trade (e.g. insolvency, bankruptcy, a previous cancellation of a trade licence) are assessed under Section 8 of the Act. Medical fitness and liability insurance are not required.

Professional qualification (Sections 6 to 8 and Section 24 of the Trade Licensing Act and Section 3(3) of Act No 62/1988 Coll., on geological work, as amended by Act No 3/2005 Coll.):
a certificate of professional qualification issued by the Ministry of the Environment.

The condition for issuing this certificate (Section 3 of Act No 62/1988 Coll. and Decree No 206/2001 Coll.) is a university degree in a geological field, 3 years of professional practice in the field, and passing an examination of knowledge of the necessary legislation. For applicants with more than ten years of professional practice, the Ministry may in justified cases waive the failure to meet the education requirement.

The recognition of professional qualifications from the EU is governed by Directive 2005/36/EC.

Responsible representative (Section 11 of the Act): if the entrepreneur does not meet the professional qualification personally, an appointed responsible representative may meet it on their behalf. One person may act as responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.

Examples of activities

prospecting and survey of mineral deposits and calculation of reserves
hydrogeological survey of groundwater sources
engineering-geological survey of the foundation conditions of structures
geological survey of landslide and slope areas
assessment of contamination of the rock environment and groundwater
remediation geology and monitoring
geophysical and geochemical work
preparation of geological documentation and expert reports

What this trade is and what it is for

The "Geological work" trade is a regulated trade (Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act). It entitles you to carry out, on a systematic and independent basis, work aimed at the investigation, assessment and documentation of the geological environment. This includes in particular the prospecting and survey of mineral deposits, the ascertainment and assessment of geological conditions for structures and other interventions in the rock environment, the prospecting and survey of groundwater sources, and the assessment of the impacts of activity on the rock environment.

Geological work is defined in Section 2 of Act No 62/1988 Coll., on geological work. Because it is an activity with an impact on the environment and on the safety of structures, the law requires professional qualification and lays it down directly in Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act. This cannot be replaced by mere practice, as with craft trades - here you demonstrate professional qualification by a certificate issued by the Ministry of the Environment.

What this trade covers (and what it does not)

The trade covers the following groups of geological work:

deposit geology - prospecting and survey of mineral deposits and calculation of their reserves,
hydrogeology - survey of groundwater sources, assessment of their abstraction and protection,
engineering geology - survey of the foundation conditions of structures, slopes and landslide areas,
environmental geology - assessment of contamination of the rock environment and groundwater,
geophysical and geochemical work and remediation geology.

This trade does not cover geological work that constitutes mining activity or activity carried out by mining methods under Act No 61/1988 Coll. - that falls under a separate regime and the supervision of the Czech Mining Authority. Drilling, excavation or earthworks alone without geological assessment constitute a different trade. Laboratory analyses or the design of structures likewise fall under different authorisations.

Conditions for obtaining the trade under the law

To notify a regulated trade you must meet two levels of conditions.

General conditions (Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act): full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. A clean criminal record is required for this trade (Section 6 of the Act); the office also examines whether a prohibition of activity in the field or a related field has been imposed on you. Obstacles to carrying on a trade (for example insolvency, bankruptcy or a previous cancellation of a trade licence) are assessed under Section 8 of the Act. The law does not require medical fitness or liability insurance.

Professional qualification under Sections 6 to 8 and Section 24 of the Trade Licensing Act and Section 3(3) of Act No 62/1988 Coll., on geological work, as amended by Act No 3/2005 Coll., is demonstrated as follows:

by a certificate of professional qualification issued by the Ministry of the Environment.

You obtain this certificate in administrative proceedings before the Ministry of the Environment (Section 3 of Act No 62/1988 Coll. and Decree No 206/2001 Coll.). The condition for its issue is a university degree in a geological field, 3 years of professional practice in the field, and passing an examination of knowledge of the necessary legislation. For applicants with more than ten years of professional practice, the Ministry may in justified cases waive the failure to meet the education requirement. The recognition of qualifications from the EU follows Directive 2005/36/EC.

Responsible representative (Section 11 of the Act): if you do not meet the professional qualification conditions yourself (typically a legal person or an unqualified natural person), you may appoint a responsible representative who meets them on your behalf and is liable for the proper operation of the trade. One person may act as responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

First obtain a certificate of professional qualification from the Ministry of the Environment (you submit your diploma and proof of practice and pass an examination).
Complete the Unified Registration Form (JRF).
Submit the notification at any Trade Licensing Office (municipal Trade Licensing Office), electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point; attach the Ministry of the Environment certificate to the notification.
Pay the administrative fee.
The Trade Licensing Office will make the entry in the Trade Register usually within 5 working days of notification; the licence arises as early as the day of notification.

You will find the detailed procedure in the guide Jak zalozit zivnost.

Documents and fees

a completed Unified Registration Form (JRF),
proof of identity,
proof of professional qualification - the certificate of professional qualification issued by the Ministry of the Environment (issuing the certificate itself is subject to a separate administrative fee of CZK 1,000 at the Ministry),
the appointment of a responsible representative, if you use one,
an administrative fee for the trade notification of CZK 1,000 for the first trade notification, CZK 800 for electronic submission.

Frequently asked questions

Is geology an unqualified (free) trade or a regulated trade?

It is a regulated trade (Annex 2 to the Act). Professional qualification must be documented by a certificate from the Ministry of the Environment and cannot be replaced by general practice as with craft trades.

What education do I need?

To obtain the certificate from the Ministry of the Environment, a university degree in a geological field and 3 years of professional practice; an examination is also part of the process. Exceptionally, the Ministry may waive the education requirement for an applicant with more than ten years of practice.

When can I start doing business?

The licence arises on the day of notification, provided you meet the statutory conditions (including submission of the Ministry of the Environment certificate). The office will make the entry in the register usually within 5 working days.

What if I do not meet the qualification?

You may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Act who meets the professional qualification (and therefore the Ministry of the Environment certificate) on your behalf. One person may act as responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.

Does work constituting mining activity belong here?

No. Geological work that constitutes mining activity under Act No 61/1988 Coll. does not fall under this trade.