Required certification · France
Qualification professionnelle (Code de l’artisanat)
Diplôme ou 3 ans d'expérience pour les métiers du bâtiment réglementés
Market position
Under the Code de l'artisanat (art. L121-1), building construction, maintenance and repair, work on water, gas, heating and electrical installations, and chimney sweeping may only be carried out by a professionally qualified person or under that person's effective and permanent control. The qualification is a CAP, BEP or BP, an equivalent RNCP title, or three years' experience in the trade, per service-public.fr. The qualified person can be the owner or an employee who controls the work.
France-specific note
For regulated building trades such as plumbing, heating or electrical installation, you or an employee who effectively and permanently controls the work must hold a CAP, BEP or BP (or equivalent RNCP title) or prove three years' experience in the trade in France, the EU or the EEA.
Pros
- + Diploma or 3 years' experience: two routes to qualify
- + A qualified employee can cover the business if the owner is not
- + Clear legal basis in the Code de l'artisanat (L121-1)
- + Also a condition for artisan status (qualité d'artisan)
Cons
- − Compulsory for regulated building trades
- − Experience route needs documentary proof
- − 7,500 euro fine for plumbing without the qualification, per service-public.fr
- − The qualified person must control the work effectively and permanently
Typical France pricing
No fee: a legal condition proven with a diploma or evidence of experience.
Why this matters for France trades
Since 1 September 2026 every French business must be able to receive B2B e-invoices through a plateforme agréée registered by the State (CGI art. 289 bis), and PME, TPE and micro-entreprises must issue them by 1 September 2027; DGFiP says no sanctions apply in 2026 while businesses adapt. Assurance décennale (Loi Spinetta) must be in place before work starts, and building without it is punishable by 6 months’ imprisonment and/or a 75,000 euro fine, per service-public.fr. TVA on building work on homes is 20% standard, 10% for improvement, transformation, fitting-out and maintenance, and 5.5% for energy renovation, with the reduced rates only for dwellings completed more than two years ago. Clients can only claim MaPrimeRénov’, the éco-PTZ or CEE bonuses if the work is done by an RGE professional. Businesses register through the Guichet des formalités des entreprises, with the CMA advising artisans, and regulated building trades must be carried out or controlled by a qualified person (CAP, BEP or BP, an equivalent RNCP title, or three years’ experience).
French artisan (bâtiment) vendor selection is shaped by facturation électronique (every business must be able to receive e-invoices through a plateforme agréée since 1 September 2026, and PME, TPE and micro-entreprises must issue them by 1 September 2027), compulsory assurance décennale taken out before work starts, multi-rate TVA (20%, 10% and 5.5%), the RGE label that homeowner clients need to claim energy-renovation aid, and the micro-entrepreneur regime with its turnover ceilings and VAT franchise.
Frequently asked
Is Qualification professionnelle (Code de l’artisanat) a good fit for France trades?
Under the Code de l'artisanat (art. L121-1), building construction, maintenance and repair, work on water, gas, heating and electrical installations, and chimney sweeping may only be carried out by a professionally qualified person or under that person's effective and permanent control. The qualification is a CAP, BEP or BP, an equivalent RNCP title, or three years' experience in the trade, per service-public.fr. The qualified person can be the owner or an employee who controls the work. For regulated building trades such as plumbing, heating or electrical installation, you or an employee who effectively and permanently controls the work must hold a CAP, BEP or BP (or equivalent RNCP title) or prove three years' experience in the trade in France, the EU or the EEA.
What does Qualification professionnelle (Code de l’artisanat) cost in France?
No fee: a legal condition proven with a diploma or evidence of experience. Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current France pricing on the vendor's site before committing.
Other France vendors
Facturation électronique (e-invoicing)
Required certification
Assurance décennale (Loi Spinetta)
Required certification
RGE (Reconnu Garant de l’Environnement)
Required certification
TVA bâtiment (20 / 10 / 5,5 %)
Required certification
URSSAF & régime micro-entrepreneur
Required certification
Immatriculation CMA (guichet unique / RNE)
Required certification