The Licensing of Builders Scheme is part of BCA’s long-term plan to upgrade the safety and quality of the construction sector while raising professionalism by requiring minimum standards of management, safety record and financial solvency.
Who needs a license
Builders who:
- Are carrying out building works where plans are required to be approved by the Commissioner of Building Control.
- Work in specialist areas, which have a high impact on public safety.
Note: The requirement applies to both public and private construction projects.
Types of license
License type | Sub-type | Allowable projects |
General Builder License | Class 1 | Projects of any value |
Class 2 | Projects of $6 million or less | |
Specialist Builder License | N.A. | Any of the following specialist building works:
Note: You may register in more than one category if qualified. |
Licensing requirements
You must fulfil all of the following requirements to receive a Builder’s License.
Requirement | Details |
Appoint an Approved Person [AP] | The AP will take charge and direct the management of the business in building works. The AP must be:
The AP must also possess the right qualifications and experience. |
Appoint a Technical Controller [TC] | The TC will oversee the execution and performance of any building works undertaken by the builder. For specialist builders, the TC appointed must possess a civil or structural engineering degree from a recognised institution and have the right qualifications and experience. Resident Engineers must meet acceptable qualifications set by BCA. |
Meet minimum paid-up capital [for corporations only] | Class 1 General Builder: not less than $300,000 Class 2 General Builder or Specialist Builder: not less than $25,000 |
Pay licensing fees Note: Validity of license is up to 3 years. | Class 1 General Builder: $1,800 Class 2 General Builder: $1,200 Specialist Builder: $1,500 |
Forms and documents
Download the following for your Builder License application or to change your particulars with BCA.
Form or document | Description |
Simplified Guide | A brief introduction to the relevant Act and Regulations. Login to eBACs if you wish to apply for additional license[s] or vary a license class. |
Declaration of Personnel Appointment and Experience | For licensed builders and registered contractors who wish to appoint new or additional personnel. |
Section D_Project List | For specialist builders to provide a list of projects undertaken by the TC. |
Notification of Termination of Approved Person/ Technical Controller | For builders who wish to update termination of AP or TC. |
Change of Company's Particulars | For licensed builders and registered contractors who wish to update address and contact details. |
Update of Foreign Employee's Work Pass [Employment Pass/ S-Pass] | For licensed builders and registered contractors who wish to update personnel's renewed pass. |
What is a power of attorney
A power of attorney is a legal document created by a person who entrusts another person to act on their behalf. This is usually for a legal transaction, such as the buying, selling or renting of property.
The creator of the document is the donor, while the person appointed to act on the donor's behalf is the donee.
Depositing a power of attorney
Depositing a power of attorney means registering it with the court. It will be available on public records for inspection.
The General Division of the High Court only accepts powers of attorney that are created under Section 48 of the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act.
Estimated fees
The fees include:
- $0.80 per page for document filing fees.
- $1.50 to deposit a power of attorney.
- There may be other fees if you need to obtain a copy or extract of the deposited documents, or examine and mark documents as office copies. Refer to the Powers of Attorney [Scale of Fees] Rules for the full list of fees.
What you should do
Submit the power of attorney and the supporting documents via eLitigation. If you do not have an eLitigation account, visit the LawNet & CrimsonLogic Service Bureau to file in person.
The documents must fulfil these requirements to be accepted by the court:
In general, to deposit an instrument creating a power of attorney, all of the following requirements are to be complied with:
- The execution of the instrument must have been verified in accordance with Order 26, Rule 4 of the Rules of Court 2021
- The instrument must be accompanied by an affidavit, a statutory declaration, certificate or other evidence by which the execution of the instrument was verified [unless the execution of the instrument creating the power of attorney has been verified by the signature of a Commissioner for Oaths who attested to the execution].
Refer to Order 26, Rule 4 of the Rules of Court 2021 for more details on filing of instruments creating powers of attorney.
In general, the execution of the power of attorney may be verified by one of the following:
- An affidavit or a statutory declaration made by a witness to the execution or by an impartial person who knows the signature of the donor of the power of the attorney.
- The signature of a Commissioner for Oaths as a witness to the execution.
- Any other evidence which is satisfactory to the Registrar of the Supreme Court.
Refer to Order 26, Rule 4 of the Rules of Court 2021 for more details on verification of the execution of the power of attorney.
The power of attorney should be deposited with a translation that is certified by a sworn interpreter of the court or verified by a statutory declaration of a person qualified to translate it.
Inspecting a power of attorney
You may request to inspect a power of attorney deposited in the Supreme Court to verify its validity.
Estimated fees
Refer to the Powers of Attorney [Scale of Fees] Rules for the full list of fees.
Examples of the fees include:
- $4.50 to search the index of deposited documents per name for each year.
- $1.50 to inspect a deposited document.
What you should do
Contact the Supreme Court Legal Registry for more information.
Need help?
The information here is for general guidance as the courts do not provide legal advice. If you need further help, you may want to get independent legal advice.
Find out more
Resources
Legislation associated with this topic includes:
- Part 10 of the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act.
- Order 26, Rule 4 of the Rules of Court 2021.
Refer to Paragraph 19 of the Supreme Court Practice Directions 2021.