Tradesman Certification Requirements

In Spain, several trades require official certification to work either as an employee or contractor. These certifications ensure compliance with national and EU regulations for safety, quality, and legal standards. Below is a list of key trades that require certification:

 

1. Electricians

• Certification: Certificado de Cualificación Individual en Baja Tensión (Low Voltage Certificate).
• License: Carnet de Instalador Electricista Autorizado (Authorized Electrician License).
• These certifications are mandatory to perform electrical installations, repairs, and maintenance legally​

Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

• All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standards

 

2. Plumbers

• Certification: Certificado de Profesionalidad en Fontanería (Plumbing Certificate).
• License: Carnet de Instalador de Fontanería Autorizado (Authorized Plumber License).
• For those working with gas installations, additional certification like Certificado de Instalador de Gas is required​

Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

• All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standards

 

 3. Gas Installers

• Certification: Certificado de Instalador de Gas.
• This allows individuals to legally install and maintain gas systems in homes or commercial properties​

Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

• All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standards

 

4. Builders

• Certification: Certificado de Profesionalidad en Construcción (Construction Professional Certificate).
• Builders may also require specific licenses depending on the project type and size, such as the Licencia de Obra (Building Permit) for larger construction projects​

Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

• All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standards

 

 

5. HVAC Technicians (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning)

• Certification: Certificado de Instalador de Climatización y Calefacción (HVAC Installer Certificate).
• This certification allows HVAC technicians to install and maintain air conditioning and heating systems

​Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

• All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standards

 

 6. Carpenters and Metalworkers

• Certification: Certificado de Profesionalidad en Carpintería (Carpentry Certificate) or Certificado de Profesionalidad en Soldadura y Calderería (Welding and Boiler Making Certificate).
• These trades also require formal certification to demonstrate the ability to meet technical and safety standards.

Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

• All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standards

 

7. Painters and Decorators

• Certification: Certificado de Profesionalidad en Pintura Decorativa en Construcción (Decorative Painting in Construction Certificate).
• While not always enforced at the same level as electrical or plumbing trades, certification is increasingly required, particularly for large-scale projects or government contracts

​Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

• All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standards

 

8. Roofers

• Certification: Certificado de Profesionalidad en Instalación de Cubiertas (Roofing Installation Certificate).
• Roofers may need specific certifications depending on the materials and techniques used (e.g., solar panel installations)​

 

9. Crane Operators

• Certification: Carnet de Operador de Grúa (Crane Operator License).
• This license is required for operating heavy machinery such as cranes in construction sites​

Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

• All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standards

 

 10. Welders

• Certification: Certificado de Soldador (Welder Certificate).
• This is required for all welding work, especially in industrial settings.

In addition to these specific certifications, all tradespeople working in Spain must comply with health and safety regulations, which often involve taking the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course).

Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

• All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standards

 

The list provided covers the main trades that require official certification to work legally in Spain, but it may not include every single trade. Here are a few additional points regarding certification requirements for other trades:

 

Additional Regulated Trades:

1. Architects and Engineers:
• Certification: Must hold a recognized degree and be registered with the relevant professional bodies, such as the Colegio de Arquitectos or Colegio de Ingenieros.
• Required for designing buildings, overseeing construction projects, or conducting structural assessments.

Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

• All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standards

•  
1. Surveyors:
• Certification: Must be certified through the Colegio Oficial de Aparejadores y Arquitectos Técnicos (Official College of Surveyors and Technical Architects).
• This certification allows for legal surveying and project management in construction.

Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

• All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standards

•  
2. Fire Safety System Installers:
• Certification: Certificado de Instalador de Sistemas de Protección Contra Incendios (Fire Protection System Installer Certificate).
• Required for installing and maintaining fire detection, suppression, and safety systems

Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

• All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standard.

3. Elevator Installers and Technicians:
• Certification: Certificado de Instalador de Ascensores (Elevator Installer Certificate)
• Required for the installation, maintenance, and repair of elevators and escalators. 

3. Pest Control Technicians:
• Certification: Certificado de Aplicador de Biocidas (Biocide Applicator Certificate).
• This certification is mandatory for applying pest control substances or managing infestations.

Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

• All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standards 

5. Automotive Mechanics:
• Certification: Certificado de Profesionalidad en Mantenimiento de Vehículos (Automotive Maintenance Certificate).
• Mechanics and technicians working on vehicle repair or maintenance must have this certification.

Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

• All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standards 

Trades That May Not Require Formal Certification:

Some trades, particularly those in smaller-scale or non-specialized fields, may not require formal certification but still benefit from professional training. These might include:

• Painters (for smaller projects)
• General Handymen
• Landscapers and Gardeners (although certain roles, such as arborists or pesticide applicators, may have specific regulations)

 

 While these roles might not require government-issued certification, many companies and clients may prefer or demand workers who hold relevant professional credentials or have completed vocational training.

Many trades in Spain, particularly those involved in construction, technical installations, safety systems, and public health, do require formal certification. It is always advisable to check with regional or local authorities, as different regions in Spain may have additional or varying regulations depending on the trade.

Regional Authority Requirements –

In summary, most trades in the region require certification and registration with regional authorities, including health and safety certifications, to ensure compliance with both national and local laws. It's also important to consult local authorities for project-specific permits, especially in regulated areas like construction, electrical, and gas installations.

Health and Safety Certification - (Mandatory for All Trades)

All trades must complete and produce on site the Curso de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales (Occupational Risk Prevention Course). This certification ensures tradespeople comply with regional and national safety standards.