The aim of the Builders Licensing Scheme (BLS) is to ensure that builders carry out their duties competently and professionally, and are conversant with the statutory requirements of the Building Control Act. The list of licensed builders can be found in the BCA e-directory.
Who needs to apply
All builders carrying out both public and private building works where:
- Plans are required to be approved by the Commissioner of Building Control
- Works are in specialist areas which have a high impact on public safety
Types of licence
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Licence class
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Project value
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- General Builder licence
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1. General Builder licence Class 1
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Allowed to undertake project of any value
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2. General Builder licence (Class 2)
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Restricted to projects of $6 million or less
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2. Specialist Builder licence
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1. Piling works
2. Ground support and stabilisation works
3. Instrumentation and Monitoring Work
4. Structural steelwork
5. Pre-cast concrete work
6. In-situ post-tensioning work
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Allowed to undertake specialist building works of any value which builder is licensed for. Builders can register in more than one category if qualified.
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Licensing requirements
The main requirements for granting a Builder’s license are as follows.
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Requirements
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Details
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More information
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Appointment of Approved Person (AP)
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Take charge and direct the management of the business in building works.
- Sole-proprietorship: AP should be the sole-proprietor
- Partnership: AP should be the one of the partners
- Corporation: AP should be a director, or a member of the board of management
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AP’s required qualification and experience
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Appointment of Technical Controller (TC) with relevant working experience
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Oversee the execution and performance of any building works undertaken by the builder.
For Specialist Builders, the TC needs to have a civil or structural engineering degree from a recognised institution.
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Minimum paid up capital (for corporations)
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- Class 1 General Builder: Not less than $300,000
- Class 2 General Builder or Specialist Builder: Not less than $25,000
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Payment of licensing fees
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- Class 1 General Builder: $1,800
- Class 2 General Builder: $1,200
- Specialist Builder: $1,500
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Validity of licence is up to 3 years
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How to apply
All types of Builders licensing applications must be submitted through the Electronic Builders Licensing and Companies Registration Systems (eBACS):
- Visit the BCA eBACS portal (https://www.bca.gov.sg/eBACS/)
- Log in by selecting "For Business Users“
- Hover your mouse over "My Application" on the top menu
- In the dropdown menu, hover over "Apply for Builder licensing" and select “Apply for New/Additional/Renewal/Vary of license(s)”
Please ensure that you have read and understood the BLS Simplified Guide (with a brief introduction to the relevant Act and Regulations) before submitting your application.
You shall prepare the following key documents, for uploading onto eBACS:
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Requirements
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Supporting Documents
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Company Info & Financial
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- A copy of ACRA
- A copy of Certificate of Incorporation
For foreign company only
- A copy of the parent company’s audited accounts not more than 18 months old (to be translated in English)
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Approved Person (AP) and Technical Controller (TC)
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- NRIC/S Pass/EP
- A recent screenshot of the SGWorkpass profile clearly showing the employer and work pass expiry date for foreign personnel
- Relevant education certificates (in English; otherwise, official translation to English is needed)
- Declaration of Approved Person and/or Technical Controller Appointment and Experience form CRS/BLS003 (Downloadable from BCA website)
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Updating of particulars for Builder’s Licence
Note: All projects yet to attain Temporary Occupation Period (TOP) will not be required to comply with CoreTrade deployment requirements (for the remaining project period) until further written notice from Commissioner of Building Control (CBC).