From Dec 16, all builders in Singapore carrying out building works under the Building Control Act (BCA) will have to apply for their builder's licence by Jun 16 next year.

The aim of the licensing scheme is to raise professionalism among builders by requiring them to meet minimum standards of management, safety record and financial solvency.

Two types of licences will be given out.

• General Builder licence: for builders undertaking general building works where plans are required to be approved by the Commissioner of Building Control.
  It consists of two classes: Class 1 licence allows the older to carry on the business of a general builder for any project, while Class 2 icence restricts the holder to projects not more than $6 million in value. Sole proprietorships, partnerships and limited liability partnerships will only be eligible to apply for Class 2 licence.

In addition, all Class 1 General Builders undertaking a project of value which is $20 million or more will need to deploy a prescribed minimum number of construction personnel who are registered under the Construction Registration of Tradesmen Scheme (CoreTrade). The objective of CoreTrade is to build up a core group of local and experienced foreign workers in key construction trades to anchor and lead the workforce.

• The second licence, the Specialist Builder licence, applies to builders who work in specialist areas which have a high impact on public safety and require specific expertise.

The six specialist areas include piling works, Ground support and stabilization works,site investigation work, structural steelwork, pre-cast concrete work and in-situ post-tensioning work.

Together, the Licensing of Builders and CoreTrade Schemes are part of the BCA's longterm plan to upgrade the safety and quality standards of the construction sector.