A competency certificate for a construction company evaluates and certifies the capability, experience, and reputation of a company in the construction field. To operate effectively and participate in large projects, particularly for projects requiring high technical expertise, such as industrial factory design, warehouse construction, apartment buildings, and office towers, construction companies need this certificate.
Issuing competency certificates not only helps construction companies enhance their credibility with customers and partners but also meets legal requirements and government regulations. This article by BIC provides detailed information about the conditions for issuing competency certificates for construction companies, the application process, and important notes to help businesses easily complete these procedures.
A competency certificate for a construction company is a certification issued by the Ministry of Construction or the Department of Construction, confirming the operational capability of entities and organizations involved in construction activities. This certificate assesses the company's financial capability, technical skills, equipment, personnel, and practical experience.
There are various types of competency certificates, each corresponding to different categories of work and construction fields, ranging from civil and industrial construction to transportation and technical infrastructure projects. Obtaining a competency certificate not only proves the professionalism and reputation of a company but is also a mandatory requirement to participate in large and complex construction projects, ensuring compliance with state regulations and technical standards.
In the construction industry, a competency certificate is a mandatory requirement for companies wishing to operate legally and professionally. A competency certificate for a construction company not only affirms the company's reputation and capability but is also a prerequisite for participating in construction projects, especially large-scale and technically demanding ones.
Benefits of Having a Competency Certificate
- Increased Reliability and Reputation: Possessing a competency certificate allows a construction company to be recognized for its professional and financial capabilities, thereby building trust with customers and partners.
- Meeting Legal Requirements: A competency certificate for a construction company proves that the company complies with state regulations and technical standards, helping to avoid legal risks.
- Expanding Business Opportunities: With a competency certificate, a company can bid for and execute large projects, expanding its operational scope and increasing business opportunities.
- Enhancing Competitive Advantage: A company with a competency certificate will have a competitive edge over rivals who lack or have not met the requirements, increasing its chances of winning bids and expanding its market.
According to Article 92 of Decree 15/2021/ND-CP, organizations preparing construction planning designs must meet the competency certificate issuance conditions for construction companies corresponding to each category as follows:
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Category I |
Category II |
Category III |
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a)Individuals holding the position of lead designer or chief of design and review in building design disciplines must possess a Level I professional certificate appropriate to their area of specialization. |
a) Individuals holding the position of lead designer or chief of design and review in building design disciplines must possess a professional certificate of Level II or higher, appropriate to their area of specialization. |
a) Individuals holding the position of lead designer or chief of design and review in building design disciplines must possess a professional certificate of Level III or higher, appropriate to their area of specialization. |
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b) Individuals participating in the design and review of building design must have expertise and professional skills suitable for the field and type of construction for which they are applying for certification. |
b) Individuals participating in the design and review of building design must have expertise and professional skills suitable for the field and type of construction for which they are applying for certification. |
b) Individuals participating in the design and review of building design must have expertise and professional skills suitable for the field and type of construction for which they are applying for certification. |
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c) The organization must have completed the design or review of at least one project of Category I or two projects of Category II or higher of the same type. |
c) The organization must have completed the design or review of at least one project of Category II or two projects of Category III or higher of the same type. |
According to Article 93 of Decree 15/2021/ND-CP, organizations participating in design and construction design appraisal activities must meet the competency certificate issuance conditions for construction companies corresponding to each category as follows:
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Category I |
Category II |
Category III |
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a) Individuals holding the position of lead designer or chief in design and review of building design disciplines must have a Level I professional certificate appropriate to their area of specialization. |
a) Individuals holding the position of lead designer or chief in design and review of building design disciplines must have a professional certificate of Level II or higher, appropriate to their area of specialization. |
a) Individuals holding the position of lead designer or chief in design and review of building design disciplines must have a professional certificate of Level III or higher, appropriate to their area of specialization. |
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b) Individuals participating in the design and review of building design must have expertise and professional skills suitable for the field and type of construction for which they are applying for certification. |
b) Individuals participating in the design and review of building design must have expertise and professional skills suitable for the field and type of construction for which they are applying for certification. |
b) Individuals participating in the design and review of building design must have expertise and professional skills suitable for the field and type of construction for which they are applying for certification. |
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c) The organization must have completed the design or review of at least one project of Category I or two projects of Category II or higher of the same type. |
c) The organization must have completed the design or review of at least one project of Category II or two projects of Category III or higher of the same type. |
According to Article 91 of Decree 15/2021/ND-CP, construction survey organizations must meet general and specific conditions for the competency certificate issuance for construction companies corresponding to each grade as follows:
General Conditions for All Grades
- Organizations must have a laboratory or an agreement or principle contract on performing laboratory work with a laboratory serving construction surveys, recognized according to regulations for the field of geological survey.
- Organizations must have machinery and equipment or the ability to mobilize machinery and equipment to serve the survey work of the requested competency certificate field.
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Category I |
Category II |
Category III |
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a) Individuals holding the position of lead surveyor must have a Level I professional certificate in construction surveying, appropriate to the field for which they are applying for certification. |
a) Individuals holding the position of lead surveyor must have a Level II or higher professional certificate in construction surveying, appropriate to the field for which they are applying for certification. |
a) Individuals holding the position of lead surveyor must have a Level III or higher professional certificate in construction surveying, appropriate to the field for which they are applying for certification. |
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b) Individuals participating in the surveying must have expertise and professional skills suitable for the type of construction surveying for which they are applying for certification. |
b) Individuals participating in the surveying must have expertise and professional skills suitable for the type of construction surveying for which they are applying for certification. |
b) Individuals participating in the surveying must have expertise and professional skills suitable for the type of construction surveying for which they are applying for certification. |
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c) The organization must have completed surveying for at least one project of Group A, or two projects of Group B or higher, or one project of Category I, or two projects of Category II or higher of the same type. |
c) The organization must have completed surveying for at least one project of Group B, or two projects of Group C, or three projects requiring an economic-technical report, or one project of Category II, or two projects of Category III or higher of the same type. |
According to Article 95 of Decree 15/2021/ND-CP, organizations participating in construction activities must meet the competency certificate issuance conditions for construction companies corresponding to each grade as follows:
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Category I |
Category II |
Category III |
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a) Individuals holding the position of site manager must meet the qualifications for a Level I site manager, suitable for the field of expertise they are undertaking. |
a) Individuals holding the position of site manager must meet the qualifications for a Level II or higher site manager, suitable for the field of expertise they are undertaking. |
a) Individuals holding the position of site manager must meet the qualifications for a Level III or higher site manager, suitable for the field of expertise they are undertaking. |
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b) Individuals responsible for executing specialized fields must have a university or vocational college degree relevant to the job and have at least 3 years of work experience for a university degree, or 5 years for a vocational college degree. |
b) Individuals responsible for executing specialized fields must have a university or vocational college degree relevant to the job and have at least 1 year of work experience for a university degree, or 3 years for a vocational college degree. |
b) Individuals responsible for executing specialized fields must have a university or vocational college degree relevant to the job. |
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c) The organization must have the capacity to mobilize sufficient quantities of major machinery and equipment to meet the requirements for construction work in the projects they are involved in. |
c) The organization must have the capacity to mobilize sufficient quantities of major machinery and equipment to meet the requirements for construction work in the projects they are involved in. |
c) The organization must have the capacity to mobilize sufficient quantities of major machinery and equipment to meet the requirements for construction work in the projects they are involved in. |
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d) The organization must have directly executed at least one project of Category I or higher, or two projects of Category II or higher of the same type for construction work. |
d) The organization must have directly executed at least one project of Category II or higher, or two projects of Category III or higher of the same type for construction work. |
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đ) The organization must have directly executed the installation of equipment for at least one project of Category I or higher, or two projects of Category II or higher for equipment installation. |
đ) The organization must have directly executed the installation of equipment for at least one project of Category II or higher, or two projects of Category III or higher for equipment installation. |
According to Article 96 of Decree 15/2021/ND-CP, organizations participating in construction supervision consultancy activities must meet the competency certificate issuance conditions for construction companies corresponding to each grade as follows:
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Category I |
Category II |
Category III |
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a) Individuals holding the position of chief supervisor must have a Level I construction supervision certificate, and supervisors must have a construction supervision certificate suitable for the type of project registered for the competency certificate. |
a) Individuals holding the position of chief supervisor must have a construction supervision certificate of Level II or higher, and supervisors must have a construction supervision certificate suitable for the type of project registered for the competency certificate. |
a) Individuals holding the position of chief supervisor must have a construction supervision certificate of Level III or higher, and supervisors must have a construction supervision certificate suitable for the type of project and the field of construction supervision registered for the competency certificate. |
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b) The organization must have supervised the construction work of at least one project of Category I or higher, or two projects of Category II or higher of the same type, for the field of construction supervision registered for the competency certificate. |
b) The organization must have supervised the construction work of at least one project of Category II or higher, or two projects of Category III or higher of the same type, for the field of construction supervision registered for the competency certificate. |
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c) The organization must have supervised the installation of equipment for at least one project of Category I or higher, or two projects of Category II or higher, for the field of equipment installation supervision. |
c) The organization must have supervised the installation of equipment for at least one project of Category II or higher, or two projects of Category III or higher, for the field of equipment installation supervision. |
According to Article 97 of Decree 15/2021/ND-CP, organizations participating in quality inspection activities must meet the competency certificate issuance conditions for construction companies corresponding to each grade as follows:
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Category I |
Category II |
Category III |
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a) Individuals leading the performance of construction inspection must meet the qualifications for Level I construction inspection. |
a) Individuals leading the performance of construction inspection must meet the qualifications for Level II or higher construction inspection. |
a) Individuals leading the performance of construction inspection must meet the qualifications for Level III construction inspection. |
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b) Individuals participating in the performance of construction inspection must have expertise and skills suitable for construction inspection work. |
b) Individuals participating in the performance of construction inspection must have expertise and skills suitable for construction inspection work. |
b) Individuals participating in the performance of construction inspection must have expertise and skills suitable for construction inspection work. |
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c) The organization must have performed construction inspection for at least one project of Category I or higher, or two projects of Category II or higher of the same type. |
c) The organization must have performed construction inspection for at least one project of Category II or higher, or two projects of Category III or higher of the same type. |
According to Article 98 of Decree 15/2021/ND-CP, organizations participating in construction investment cost management activities must meet the competency certificate issuance conditions for construction companies corresponding to each grade as follows:
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Category I |
Category II |
Category III |
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a) Individuals leading the cost management of construction investment must have a Level I construction valuation certificate. |
a) Individuals leading the cost management of construction investment must have a construction valuation certificate of Level II or higher. |
a) Individuals leading the cost management of construction investment must have a construction valuation certificate of Level III or higher. |
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b) Individuals participating in cost management of construction investment must have expertise and skills suitable for cost management of construction investment. |
b) Individuals participating in cost management of construction investment must have expertise and skills suitable for cost management of construction investment. |
b) Individuals participating in cost management of construction investment must have expertise and skills suitable for cost management of construction investment. |
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c) The organization must have managed costs for at least one Group A project or two projects from Group B or higher. |
c) The organization must have managed construction investment costs for at least one Group B project or higher, or two projects from Group C or three projects requiring economic-technical reports or higher. |
Scope of Activities for Each Grade of Competency
- Grade I: Allowed to conduct cost management activities for all projects.
- Grade II: Allowed to conduct cost management activities for projects of Group B and below.
- Grade III: Allowed to conduct cost management activities for projects of Group C and projects only requiring the preparation of an economic-technical report.
From surveying, designing, appraising, constructing, supervising, inspecting, to managing construction investment costs, each field has specific requirements for expertise, experience, and equipment. Possessing these competency certificates not only ensures legal compliance but also enhances the quality and reputation of the company in the construction industry.
