Builders Licensing Scheme (BLS)

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

Licence class		Project value
General Builder licence	General Builder licence Class 1	Allowed to undertake project of any value
General Builder licence	General Builder licence (Class 2)	Restricted to projects of $6 million or less
2. Specialist Builder licence	Piling works Ground support and stabilisation works Instrumentation and Monitoring Work Structural steelwork Pre-cast concrete work In-situ post-tensioning work	Allowed to undertake specialist building works of any value which builder is licensed for. Builders can register in more than one category if qualified.

Licensing requirements

The main requirements for granting a Builder’s license are as follows.

Requirements	Details	More information
Appointment of Approved Person (AP)	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	AP’s required qualification and experience
Appointment of Technical Controller (TC) with relevant working experience	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.	TC’s required qualification and experience Recognised institutions: Approved qualifications by Professional Engineers Board (PEB) BCA Acceptable qualifications for Resident Engineer Accreditation
Minimum paid up capital (for corporations)	Class 1 General Builder: Not less than $300,000 Class 2 General Builder or Specialist Builder: Not less than $25,000
Payment of licensing fees	Class 1 General Builder: $1,800 Class 2 General Builder: $1,200 Specialist Builder: $1,500	Validity of licence is up to 3 years

How to apply

Submit your application for new builder’s licensing or additional licence(s), or vary a licence class through the Electronics Builders and Contractors Registration System (eBACS).

Forms for application and update of status

For	Action	Form
Licensed Builders	Provide a list of projects undertaken by the TC	Section D Project List
Licensed Builders	Update on termination of AP or TC	Notification of termination of Approved Person/ Technical Controller
Licensed Builders	Appoint new or additional AP and/ or TC	Approval to Update Declaration of Approved Person and/or Technical Controller Appointment and Experience (For BLS only)
	Update address and contact details	Approval to Update change of Company's Particulars
	Update your personnel's renewed Work Pass	Approval to Update Employee's Work Pass (Employment Pass/ S-Pass)

Note: If you are a licensed Class 1 General Builder, you need to deploy a minimum number of registered Construction Registration of Tradesmen (CoreTrade) personnel in your projects valued at S$20 million and more.

BLS Simplified Guide with a brief introduction to the relevant Act and Regulations 152.52kb

Frequently Asked Questions about BLS 214.11kb

Building Control Act

Building Control (Licensing of Builders) Regulations 2008

Building Control (Value of Significant General Building Work Projects) Order 2008

Building Control (Estimated Final Price for Class 2 General Builder's Licence) Order 2008

Building Control (Licensing of Builders) (Amendment) Regulations 2009

Building and Construction Authority (Registration of Construction Personnel) Regulations 2008

Conditions of Builder's Licence 48.38kb