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

No. S 642

Building and Construction Authority Act

(Chapter 30A)

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

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 35 of the Building and Construction Authority Act, the Building and Construction Authority, with the approval of the Minister for National Development, hereby makes the following Regulations:

Citation and commencement

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Building and Construction Authority (Registration of Construction Personnel) Regulations 2008 and shall come into operation on 18th December 2008.

Definitions

2.—(1) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires —

“air-conditioning ducting installation” means the installation of air-conditioning ducting or any associated fittings, including thermal insulation, for the purposes of the cooling and mechanical ventilation of a building;

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

[Deleted by S 521/2018 wef 01/10/2018]

“authorised officer”, in relation to any provision in these Regulations, means an employee of the Authority who is authorised in that behalf by the Authority for the purposes of that provision;

“Building and Construction Authority Academy” means the educational and research institution established by the Authority known as the Building and Construction Authority Academy of the Built Environment;

“building works” has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Building Control Act (Cap. 29);

[S 84/2012 wef 01/04/2012]

“certificate of registration” means any certificate of registration issued thereto under regulation 8(5) to any construction personnel;

“cladding and curtain wall installation” means the installation of any external cladding or curtain wall, or any associated fittings, as the exterior covering or exterior wall of a building;

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

“construction foreman” has the same meaning as in section 29H(5) of the Building Control Act (Cap. 29);

[S 787/2014 wef 01/01/2015]

“construction personnel” means a natural person who is —

(a)	a construction supervisor of any class;
(b)	a construction foreman of any class; or
(c)	a construction tradesman of any class; [S 84/2012 wef 01/04/2012]

“construction plant operation works” means operating any of the following plant or machinery:

(a)	a saddle jib tower crane;
(b)	a luffing jib tower crane;
(c)	a mobile crane (truck mounted);
(d)	a crawler crane;
(e)	a hydraulic excavator;
(f)	a telescopic handler;
(g)	a bulldozer;
(h)	a track shovel;
(i)	an excavator loader;
(j)	a piling rig;
(k)	an underground pipe jacking machine;
(l)	a tunnel boring machine;
(m)	an asphalt concrete paver;
(n)	a crawler drill; [S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

“construction supervisor” has the same meaning as in section 29H(5) of the Building Control Act;

[S 84/2012 wef 01/04/2012]

“construction tradesman” has the same meaning as in section 29H(5) of the Building Control Act;

[S 787/2014 wef 01/01/2015]

“doors and windows installation” means the installation of any door, window panel or frame, or any associated fittings, for building works;

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

“drywall installation” means the on-site fabrication, installation or erection of any drywall panel or any associated fittings in the interior of a building;

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

“electrical works” means installing any wiring, cable, conduit, trunking, isolators, switch socket outlets, power switches or any other fittings for transmission of electricity for lighting, heating, cooling or other similar purposes in a building;

“fire protection works” has the same meaning as in the Fire Safety Act (Cap. 109A);

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

“gas pipefitting works” means the installation of any gas service pipe, pipe fitting, conveyance, valve, regulator or any associated device used or to be used for the control and use of gas in a building;

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

“glazing works” means the installation of glass or any associated fittings in a building;

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

“joinery works” means the on-site fabrication of fitments, fittings or any related carpentry works for the installation of timber furniture to the interior wall, floor or any other part of a building;

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

“lift” has the same meaning as in the Building Maintenance and Strata Management (Lift and Building Maintenance) Regulations 2005 (G.N. No. S 194/2005);

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

“lift installation” means installation of any lift;

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

“mechanical and electrical works” —

(a)	means any work performed or carried out to install any mechanical or electrical installation; and
(b)	includes the installing, constructing, erecting, repairing or the altering of the mechanical or electrical installation or the replacing of any part thereof or the adding of any part thereto or the carrying out of any work thereon for the maintenance thereof of such installation; but
(c)	does not include work in relation to the manufacturing of such installation; [S 84/2012 wef 01/04/2012]

“plumbing and piping works” means installing any liquid, water or sanitary piping, or any associated fittings, including thermal insulation, for the conveyance of liquid, potable water distribution, or soil or waste water disposal in a building;

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

“registered” means registered under these Regulations;

“reinforced concrete works” means the on-site fabrication, installation or erection of formwork and steel reinforcement for reinforced concrete work, including —

(a)	fabrication (both on-site or off-site) of pre‑cast concrete components; and
(b)	installation of pre-cast concrete components; [S 84/2012 wef 01/04/2012]

“skills assessment” means a practical assessment conducted by or on behalf of the Authority of the skills in the class of work that a construction tradesman, construction foreman or construction supervisor is or is to be registered in;

[S 521/2018 wef 01/10/2018]

“structural steel works” means the on-site fabrication, fitting, welding and erection of steel members or components to form an integral part of any structural system of a building;

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

“structural works” has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Building Control Act;

[S 84/2012 wef 01/04/2012]

“suspended ceiling installation” means the installation of any false ceiling, ceiling board, panel, tile or frame, or any associated fittings, that is hung from the soffit of structural elements of a building;

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

“test” means a written test conducted by or on behalf of the Authority of the theoretical knowledge in the class of work that a construction tradesman, construction foreman or construction supervisor is or is to be registered in;

[S 521/2018 wef 01/10/2018]

“tiling, stone laying and floor finishing works” means the laying of tiles, marble or stone finishes to any interior or exterior wall or any floor of a building, or timber finishes to any interior or exterior floor of a building;

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

“waterproofing works” means applying or laying of material to waterproof any basement, foundation, roof, wet area or wall in the interior or on the exterior of a building.

(2) All forms used for the purposes of these Regulations shall be completed in the English language and in accordance with such directions as may be specified in the form or by the Authority.

Classes of registration of construction personnel

3. All construction personnel shall be registered according to the following classes:

(a)	a construction supervisor; [S 84/2012 wef 01/04/2012]
(b)	a construction foreman; [S 84/2012 wef 01/04/2012]
(c)	a construction tradesman. [S 84/2012 wef 01/04/2012]

Classes of construction tradesman

4. A construction tradesman may be registered according to one or more of the classes of work specified in Part I of the Schedule that he carries out, or undertakes to carry out, for or on behalf of another person, for a fixed sum, percentage, or valuable consideration, wages or other reward.

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

Classes of construction foreman

5. A construction foreman may be registered according to one or more of the classes of work specified in Part II of the Schedule, comprising supervision and co-ordination of construction tradesmen or other workmen undertaking the same class of work for or on behalf of another person, for a fixed sum, percentage, or valuable consideration, wages or other reward.

[S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011]

Classes of construction supervisor

5A. A construction supervisor may be registered according to one or more of the classes of works, connected with building works, specified in Part III of the Schedule that he oversees the execution or performance thereof, for or on behalf of another person, for a fixed sum, percentage, or valuable consideration, wages or other reward.

[S 84/2012 wef 01/04/2012]

Eligibility for registration

6.—(1) A person is eligible to be registered as a construction tradesman —

(a)

in a class of work specified in paragraph 1 of Division 1 of Part I of the Schedule, if —

(i)

he possesses —

(A)	any of the qualifications specified in paragraph 1 of Division 1 of Part I of the Schedule, or such other qualifications that, in the opinion of the Authority, are equivalent to any of those qualifications so specified; and
(B)	such practical experience that, in the opinion of the Authority, complements those qualifications;

(ii)

he completes such course as the Authority may require; and

(iii)

he passes such skills assessment as the Authority may conduct; or

(b)

in the class of work specified in paragraph 2 of Division 1 of Part I of the Schedule, if —

(i)

he possesses —

(A)	the qualification specified in paragraph 2 of Division 1 of Part I of the Schedule, or such other qualification that, in the opinion of the Authority, is equivalent to the qualification so specified; and
(B)	such practical experience that, in the opinion of the Authority, complements this qualification;

(ii)

he completes such course as the Authority may require; and

(iii)

he passes such skills assessment as the Authority may conduct.

(2) Paragraph (1)(a)(ii) and (iii), or (1)(b)(ii) and (iii) (as the case may be), does not apply to a person who is eligible to be registered as a construction tradesman in a class of work specified in any paragraph under Division 2 of Part I of the Schedule, if the qualification he possesses is specified in that paragraph.

(3) A person is eligible to renew his registration as a construction tradesman —

(a)

in a class of work specified in paragraph 1 of Division 1 of Part I of the Schedule, if —

(i)

he possesses —

(A)	any of the qualifications specified in paragraph 1 of Division 1 of Part I of the Schedule, or such other qualifications that, in the opinion of the Authority, are equivalent to any of those qualifications so specified; and
(B)	such practical experience that, in the opinion of the Authority, complements those qualifications;

(ii)

where he does not satisfy the requirements of sub‑paragraph (i), he satisfies the Authority that he has at least 4 years (in aggregate) of practical experience in the relevant class of work;

(iii)

he completes such course as the Authority may require; and

(iv)

he passes such test as the Authority may conduct; or

(b)

in the class of work specified in paragraph 2 of Division 1 of Part I of the Schedule, if —

(i)

he possesses —

(A)	the qualification specified in paragraph 2 of Division 1 of Part I of the Schedule, or such other qualification that, in the opinion of the Authority, is equivalent to the qualification so specified; and
(B)	such practical experience that, in the opinion of the Authority, complements this qualification;

(ii)

where he does not satisfy the requirements of sub‑paragraph (i), he satisfies the Authority that he has at least 4 years (in aggregate) of practical experience in the relevant class of work;

(iii)

he completes such course as the Authority may require; and

(iv)

he passes such test as the Authority may conduct.

(4) A person is eligible to be registered as a construction foreman in a class of work specified in Division 1 of Part II of the Schedule, if —

(a)

he possesses —

(i)	any of the qualifications specified in Division 1 of Part II of the Schedule, or such other qualifications that, in the opinion of the Authority, are equivalent to any of those qualifications so specified; and
(ii)	such practical experience that, in the opinion of the Authority, complements those qualifications;

(b)

he completes such course as the Authority may require; and

(c)

he passes such test and skills assessment as the Authority may conduct.

(5) Paragraph (4)(b) and (c) does not apply to a person who is eligible to be registered as a construction foreman in a class of work specified in any paragraph under Division 2 of Part II of the Schedule, if the qualification he possesses is specified in that paragraph.

(6) A person is eligible to renew his registration as a construction foreman in a class of work specified in Division 1 of Part II of the Schedule, if —

(a)

he possesses —

(i)	any of the qualifications specified in Division 1 of Part II of the Schedule, or such other qualifications that, in the opinion of the Authority, are equivalent to any of those qualifications so specified; and
(ii)	such practical experience that, in the opinion of the Authority, complements those qualifications;

(b)

where he does not satisfy the requirements of sub-paragraph (a), he satisfies the Authority that he has at least 6 years (in aggregate) of practical experience in the relevant class of work;

(c)

he completes such course as the Authority may require; and

(d)

he passes such test as the Authority may conduct.

(7) A person is eligible to be registered as a construction supervisor in a class of work specified in Part III of the Schedule, if —

(a)

he possesses —

(i)	any of the qualifications specified in Part III of the Schedule, or such other qualifications that, in the opinion of the Authority, are equivalent to any of those qualifications so specified; and
(ii)	such practical experience that, in the opinion of the Authority, complements those qualifications;

(b)

he completes such course as the Authority may require; and

(c)

he passes such test as the Authority may conduct.

(8) A person is eligible to renew his registration as a construction supervisor in a class of work specified in Part III of the Schedule, if —

(a)

he possesses —

(i)	any of the qualifications specified in Part III of the Schedule, or such other qualifications that, in the opinion of the Authority, are equivalent to any of those qualifications so specified; and
(ii)	such practical experience that, in the opinion of the Authority, complements those qualifications;

(b)

where he does not satisfy the requirements of sub-paragraph (a), he satisfies the Authority that he has at least 8 years (in aggregate) of practical experience in the relevant class of work;

(c)

he completes such course as the Authority may require; and

(d)

he passes such test as the Authority may conduct.

(9) In deciding whether to register a person or renew his registration under these Regulations, the Authority may make such inquiries and investigations as are reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances so as to be satisfied as to —

(a)	the good character of the applicant; or
(b)	whether the public interest will be served by the registration of the applicant or the renewal of his registration,

including seeking confirmation about the experience of the applicant through further skills assessment and referee checks.

(10) Where a person is registered as a construction foreman in any class of work specified in Division 1 of Part II of the Schedule, he must also be registered as a construction tradesman in the same class of work.

[S 521/2018 wef 01/10/2018]

Validity of registration

7. Every registration of a construction tradesman, construction foreman or construction supervisor under these Regulations shall be valid for 24 months, and upon its expiry, the registration may be renewed for the same period.

[S 84/2012 wef 01/04/2012]

Application for registration

8.—(1) Every application to register under these Regulations shall be made by the construction personnel concerned on the Authority’s website at https://www.bca.gov.sg/CoreTrade, or in such manner as the Authority may specify on its website from time to time, and be accompanied by the fee specified in regulation 11.

[S 521/2018 wef 01/10/2018]

(2) Every applicant for registration shall, if so required in writing by an authorised officer —

(a)	attend personally before the authorised officer; and
(b)	provide clarification to the authorised officer as to such additional information and document as may be required.

(3) Where an applicant for registration fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any requirement of the authorised officer under paragraph (2), the Authority may reject the application.

(4) Subject to regulation 6, upon receiving an application to register under these Regulations under paragraph (1), the Authority shall consider the application and may —

(a)	register the applicant as a construction tradesman, construction foreman or construction supervisor in one or more classes referred to in regulation 4, 5 or 5A, subject to such conditions as the Authority thinks fit; or [S 190/2011 wef 15/04/2011] [S 84/2012 wef 01/04/2012]
(b)	refuse the registration.

(5) Where the Authority has registered a person, or renewed the person’s registration, as a construction personnel, it shall issue to that person a certificate of such registration, specifying the class of the person’s registration, if any.

Application to renew registration

9.—(1) An application to renew the registration of any construction personnel shall be made on the Authority’s website at https://www.bca.gov.sg/CoreTrade, or in such manner as the Authority may specify on its website from time to time, and not later than one month before the date of expiry of the registration, accompanied by the fee specified in regulation 11.

[S 521/2018 wef 01/10/2018]

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the registration of any construction personnel may be renewed for another 24 months on receipt of an application under paragraph (1).

(3) The Authority may refuse to renew the registration of any construction personnel the application for which is not made more than 14 days before the date of expiry of the registration.

(4) Every applicant for any renewal of registration may be required in writing by an authorised officer —

(a)	to attend personally before the authorised officer; and
(b)	to provide clarification to the authorised officer as to such additional information and document as may be required.

(5) Where an applicant for any renewal of registration fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any requirement of the authorised officer under paragraph (4), the Authority may reject the application.

Cancellation of registration

10.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Authority may by order cancel any registration of a construction tradesman, construction foreman or construction supervisor if —

(a)	there is reasonable cause to believe that the registration of the construction tradesman, construction foreman or construction supervisor or the renewal thereof has been obtained by means of any false statement or any statement that is false in a material particular;
(b)	the construction tradesman, construction foreman or construction supervisor has knowingly allowed details of his registration to be included in the manpower programme for more than one significant general building work project carried out at the same time;
(c)	the Authority becomes aware of a circumstance that would have required or permitted the Authority to refuse registration to the person had the Authority been aware of the circumstance immediately before the registration;
(d)	the construction tradesman, construction foreman or construction supervisor is convicted of any offence under regulation 12; or
(e)	the public interest or national security of Singapore so requires. [S 84/2012 wef 01/04/2012]

(2) The Authority shall not exercise its powers under paragraph (1) unless an opportunity of being heard has been given to the construction personnel against whom the Authority intends to exercise its powers.

(3) Where the Authority cancels the registration of any construction personnel under this regulation —

(a)	it shall cancel any certificate of registration issued to that construction personnel; and
(b)	the construction personnel concerned shall be debarred from applying to register himself again as any construction personnel for a period of 12 months after the effective date of that cancellation.

(4) The person whose registration as a construction tradesman, construction foreman or construction supervisor is cancelled under this regulation shall, within 14 days after being notified of the cancellation of registration, surrender to an authorised officer his certificate of registration, failing which the person shall be guilty of an offence.

[S 84/2012 wef 01/04/2012]

(5) The Authority shall cancel the registration of every deceased construction personnel.

(6) If the Authority has cancelled the registration of a person as a construction foreman in any class under paragraph (1), the registration of that same person as a construction tradesman in that same class shall be deemed to be also cancelled.

(7) In this regulation, “manpower programme” and “significant general building work project” have the same respective meanings as in section 29H of the Building Control Act (Cap. 29).

Fees

11.—(1) The application fee to register as a construction personnel in each class or to renew such registration is $15.

[S 521/2018 wef 01/10/2018]

(2) The fee in paragraph (1) shall be non-refundable and shall be payable in advance upon the making of the application to register or to renew, as the case may be.

(3) The Authority may waive, in whole or in part, the payment of any such fee where, in the opinion of the Authority, the waiver is justified by exceptional circumstances or by circumstances beyond the control of the person applying to register or renew registration.

False certificates of registration and false applications, etc.

12.—(1) If any construction personnel —

(a)	makes a false certificate of registration;
(b)	knowingly makes use of any certificate of registration that is false;
(c)	personates any other person named in any certificate of registration; or
(d)	furnishes any document or information or makes any statement in, or in connection with, an application for registration as any construction personnel or for renewal of such registration (whether for that person or for another), knowing that the document, information or statement is false or misleading in a material particular,

he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

(2) A reference in this regulation to a false certificate of registration shall be a reference —

(a)	to a document that is not a certificate of registration but purports to be one; or
(b)	to a document that is a certificate of registration that has been altered by a person who is not authorised to alter that document, or that purports to have been altered on a date on which, or at a place at which, or otherwise in circumstances in which, it was not in fact made or altered.

(3) A person shall be treated for the purposes of this regulation as making a false certificate of registration if he alters a document so as to make it false in any respect (whether or not it was already a false document before the alteration or is false in some other respect apart from that alteration).

Operation of other written laws

13. Nothing in these Regulations shall affect the operation of any other written law relating to the licensing or regulation of any construction personnel, and the requirements of these Regulations shall be in addition to and not in substitution or derogation of the provisions of those other written laws.

Made this 9th day of December 2008.

QUEK SEE TIAT

Chairman,
Building and Construction Authority,
Singapore.

[eReg; AG/LEG/SL/30A/2005/2 Vol. 1]

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