Installation, repairs, inspections and testing of lifting equipment
Field of activity No. 28 under the Trade Licensing Act.
Updated
What you need: Apprenticeship certificate, a relevant diploma or work experience (also possible via a responsible representative).
- Craft trade
- Field No. 28
- See conditions below
- 8 activity examples
A craft trade (Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act) authorising the installation, repairs, inspections and testing of lifting equipment. It requires a professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act. The authorisation to carry out inspections and tests of dedicated technical lifting equipment is not itself a condition of the trade; it is governed separately by Act No 250/2021 Coll. and Government Regulation No 193/2022 Coll. The authorisation arises on the day of notification at the Trade Licensing Office.
Professional qualification under Section 21 of Act No 455/1991 Coll. (one of the variants):
- proper completion of secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field of education,
- proper completion of secondary education with a school-leaving examination in the relevant field of education,
- proper completion of higher vocational education in the relevant field of education,
- proper completion of university education in the relevant area of study programmes and fields of study,
- recognition of professional qualification issued by a recognition authority under a special act (Directive 2005/36/EC),
- obtaining all professional qualifications laid down for the corresponding full professional qualification in the National Qualifications Framework.
Alternative professional qualification under Section 22 of Act No 455/1991 Coll. (one of the variants):
- secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in a related field of education + 1 year of practice in the field,
- secondary education with a school-leaving examination in a related field of education + 1 year of practice in the field,
- higher vocational education in a related field of education + 1 year of practice in the field,
- university education in the relevant related area of study programmes and fields of study,
- retraining for the relevant work activity (with a certificate from an accredited institution) + 1 year of practice in the field,
- 6 years of practice in the field.
Dedicated technical lifting equipment: the authorisation (professional competence) to carry out inspections and tests of dedicated technical lifting equipment is not a condition of the trade itself. It is governed separately by Act No 250/2021 Coll., on the safety of work in relation to the operation of dedicated technical equipment, and by Government Regulation No 193/2022 Coll., on dedicated technical lifting equipment and requirements for ensuring their safety. The specific education-and-practice combinations formerly derived from Decree No 19/1979 Coll. (repealed as of 1 July 2022) no longer apply, and Section 12(9) of Czech Mining Authority Decree No 392/2003 Coll. concerns only lifting equipment used in mining activity, not this general trade.
The professional qualification may also be demonstrated through a responsible representative under Section 11 (one person may perform this role for at most four entrepreneurs).
Preliminary verification of qualification: yes. Supervisory authorities: the Czech Mining Authority, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
Examples of activities
- Installation and fitting of cranes (overhead, gantry, tower) and crane runways
- Installation, repairs and maintenance of lifts and mobile elevating work platforms
- Repairs and maintenance of hoists, winches and lifting accessories
- Performing inspections and inspection tests of dedicated lifting equipment
- Periodic and extraordinary tests of dedicated technical lifting equipment
- Dismantling and relocation of lifting equipment including commissioning
- Repairs of safety elements (limit switches, brakes, limiters)
- Assessment of the technical condition of equipment after a failure or reconstruction
What this trade is and what it is for
The trade "Installation, repairs, inspections and testing of lifting equipment" is a craft trade under Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act (Act No 455/1991 Coll.). It authorises you to carry out professional work on lifting equipment – that is, on technical devices used to lift and move loads or people. This includes cranes, lifts, elevating platforms, hoists, winches and their load-bearing structures.
Some of this equipment is classed among dedicated technical equipment, for which the law sets increased safety requirements. The competence to carry out inspections and tests of such equipment is governed separately by the legislation on dedicated technical equipment (Act No 250/2021 Coll. and Government Regulation No 193/2022 Coll.), over and above the trade authorisation itself.
What falls under this trade (and what does not)
The trade covers in particular:
- installation, fitting and commissioning of lifting equipment,
- repairs, maintenance and adjustment of the equipment and its safety elements,
- inspections and tests (periodic, extraordinary, after repair or reconstruction),
- dismantling and relocation of the equipment.
Boundaries with neighbouring trades: the manufacture of crane steel structures itself falls under locksmithing and metalworking trades; electrical installation work on the drives may require the trade "Installation, repairs, inspections and testing of electrical equipment". Design and structural engineering activity falls under authorisation pursuant to the act on the exercise of the profession of chartered persons, not under this trade. If you are unsure how to classify a particular activity, check the scope with the Trade Licensing Office.
Conditions for obtaining the trade 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. A clean criminal record is proven by an extract from the Criminal Records register, which the office obtains itself. Medical fitness and liability insurance are not required.
You must also demonstrate a professional qualification. The basic variants are laid down by Section 21 (e.g. an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field, a school-leaving examination in the relevant field, higher vocational or university education in the relevant area, recognition of professional qualification under Directive 2005/36/EC, or obtaining all professional qualifications in the National Qualifications Framework). If you do not have education directly in the field, you can use Section 22 – the alternative qualification: 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.
For dedicated technical lifting equipment, the competence to carry out inspections and tests is not a condition of the trade itself; it is governed separately by Act No 250/2021 Coll. and Government Regulation No 193/2022 Coll. The specific education-and-practice combinations formerly derived from Decree No 19/1979 Coll. (repealed as of 1 July 2022) no longer apply, and Section 12(9) of Czech Mining Authority Decree No 392/2003 Coll. relates only to lifting equipment used in mining activity, not to this general trade. For this trade, a preliminary verification of qualification is carried out.
If you do not meet the conditions yourself, you can appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who will demonstrate the qualification on your behalf. One person may perform this role for at most four entrepreneurs.
How to notify or obtain the trade step by step
- Fill in the Unified Registration Form (JRF) for the notification of a craft trade.
- Submit it at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, online via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
- Provide your proof of professional qualification and practice and pay the administrative fee.
- The fee is CZK 1,000 on notification, or CZK 800 for electronic submission via the portal.
- The trade licence arises on the day of notification; the office will make the entry in the Trade Register within 5 working days.
A detailed procedure can be found in the guide How to start a trade.
Documents and fees
- a completed JRF (notification of a trade),
- proof of identity,
- proof of professional qualification (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving certificate, diploma, retraining certificate),
- proof of practice in the field (employer's confirmation, etc.),
- in the case of a responsible representative, their consent and proof of their qualification,
- administrative fee of CZK 1,000 (in person) / CZK 800 (electronically).
Frequently asked questions
Can I obtain the trade without an apprenticeship certificate in the field?
Yes. Under Section 22, for example 6 years of practice in the field without proof of education suffices, or retraining with one year of practice. For inspections and tests of dedicated technical lifting equipment, also note the separate competence requirements under Act No 250/2021 Coll. and Government Regulation No 193/2022 Coll.
What is dedicated technical lifting equipment?
It is lifting equipment which, on account of its increased risk, is subject to stricter safety rules. The competence to carry out its inspections and tests is governed by Act No 250/2021 Coll. and Government Regulation No 193/2022 Coll., separately from the trade authorisation.
Do I need a further authorisation for each inspection?
Inspections and tests of dedicated lifting equipment are subject to the supervision of the Czech Mining Authority and related authorities. Check the specific authorisation (inspection technician's certificate) with the relevant authority, over and above the trade authorisation.
How quickly can I start doing business?
The authorisation arises on the day of notification. The office will make the entry in the register within 5 working days.
Do I have to have liability insurance?
The Trade Licensing Act does not require insurance for this trade, but in practice it is advisable to arrange it.