Builder licence or CRS registration?
Use the actual contract scope to identify the requirement. A builder licence is not simply another name for L1 registration. CRS is relevant to public procurement and, since 1 June 2025, firms hiring construction Work Permit or S Pass holders. The licence governs specified building work. Neither automatically resolves all MOM manpower conditions.
Compare the licence classes.
| Licence | Corporate paid-up capital | Scope / project ceiling | BCA fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Builder Class 1 (GB1) | $300,000 | General building work, any project value | $1,800 |
| General Builder Class 2 (GB2) | $25,000 | General building work, projects up to $6 million | $1,200 |
| Specialist builder | $25,000 | Specified specialist class | $1,500 |
Licences last up to three years. BCA states processing takes 14 working days after complete documents are provided. Preparation and requests for missing information add time.
Which specialist works are covered?
- Piling works.
- Ground support and stabilisation.
- Site instrumentation and monitoring.
- Structural steelwork.
- Precast concrete work.
- In-situ post-tensioning work.
Ordinary mechanical and electrical contracting is not itself a listed specialist builder licence class. Review the actual regulated scope and any separate sector requirements.
Who must be appointed?
The Approved Person manages the business; the Technical Controller supervises relevant work. GB1 TC needs a construction-related degree and five relevant post-degree years. GB2 TC can use a construction-related diploma or degree with five post-qualification years. Specialist TC requirements relate to civil or structural engineering and the specific class. The AP has different routes, including an Essential Knowledge course route in defined circumstances.
Prepare and submit.
- Identify the licence class and corporate structure.
- Check paid-up capital and appoint suitable AP / TC personnel.
- Gather company, qualification, experience and other required records.
- Submit through BCA’s system and pay the authority fee.
- Respond to requests and maintain the licence conditions after approval.
Do you also need CRS?
For ME01–ME13 Grade L1, review both $50,000 paid-up capital and $50,000 net worth, $300,000 of relevant track record over the preceding three years, and one qualifying T technical person. L1 does not impose the three-year personnel-experience condition used at L2. New or additional entry-grade applications can use relevant ongoing as well as completed projects.
Paid-up capital is the amount shareholders have paid for their shares. Net worth is assets minus liabilities, supported by accounts; a $50,000 bank balance alone does not establish $50,000 net worth. Management accounts can be used at L1, while L2–L6 require audited accounts. Requirements vary by workhead; do not apply an ME table to every CRS category.
The ME L1 example above is a CRS requirement, not the GB2 test. Similarly, the L1 public tender ceiling of $800,000 for July 2026–June 2027 is separate from the GB2 $6 million builder ceiling. Check both schemes where relevant.
Check the project before choosing the licence
Write down the construction work, contract value, the company’s role and any specialist activities. Then identify the relevant builder licence and, separately, whether CRS registration or a particular workhead is needed. A CRS grade, a builder licence and permission to employ construction workers address different requirements.
- Check whether the intended work requires a general or specialist builder licence.
- For GB2, compare the proposed project with the SGD 6 million project-value limit.
- Confirm capital, management certification and AP/TC requirements for the chosen class.
- Check the authority fees, licence validity and renewal responsibilities.
- Tell the company administrator when personnel or company details change.
An employee leaving can affect compliance after approval. Keep appointment and qualification records accessible, and review replacement requirements before the person’s departure. Use the workhead guide when the question concerns CRS rather than builder licensing.
Frequently asked questions
Does a CRS registration replace a builder licence?
No. Check each scheme against the actual work and the company’s obligations.
Is L1 the same as GB2?
No. L1 is a CRS grade. GB2 is a builder licence with separate personnel, capital and project-ceiling requirements.
How long does a builder licence last?
Up to three years, subject to the licence conditions and renewal.
Official sources
Related guides
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Tell us the work your company performs and the workhead, grade or licence you need.