1. Statutory List and Authority of General/Specialized Building Contractors License in Hong Kong
General Building Contractors (RGBC)
Statutory qualification to carry out any building works and street works not designated as "Specialized Works Category" by the Building Authority, Covers most building construction, remodel, Maintenance works.
Specialist Contractors (RSC)
Must be approved for specific sub-roster categories (dismantling, Base, site formation, On-site land survey, ventilation system engineering), Only carry out approved specialized works.
Legal register basis
Section 8A of the Buildings Ordinance authorizes the Building Authority (BA) to maintain the above two lists, The list of registered contractors is published in the Government Gazette.
2. Four core statutory requirements for general/specialized building contractor licenses in Hong Kong
Valid business registration certificate
Applicants must hold a valid business registration certificate issued under the Business Registration Ordinance (Chapter 310).
Authorized signatory (AS)
AS is appointed by the applicant in accordance with its legal form, Acting on behalf of the contractor under the Buildings Ordinance. General requirements include relevant academic qualifications, Approximately 5 years of experience in the construction industry and has carried out designated projects in Hong Kong; Final paths and project categories are reviewed as per Assignment Preparation 38 Appendices A to F.
Technical Director (TD)
The body corporate must appoint a TD who is a director of the company. Generally speaking, TD must have a relevant degree or equivalent and 3 years of experience in the local construction industry; If it does not meet the general path, Whether a qualified AS or OO top-up is required must be determined according to Appendix 38 of Assignment Preparation.
Industrial Equipment and Resources
Demonstrate possession or availability of necessary machinery, Equipment and human resources, Audited financial certificates are required.
3. Key Personnel Statutory Qualification Route for General/Specialized Building Contractors Licensing in Hong Kong
Path one
general path: AS usually has relevant advanced certificates, Diploma or equivalent, And have 5 years of experience in the construction industry and experience in designated projects in Hong Kong; TD usually has a relevant degree or equivalent and 3 years of experience in the local construction industry. The specific seniority and project nature are confirmed according to the application category and homework preparation 38 appendix.
Path two
Alternative or complementary path: If TD does not have general qualifications or experience, The applicant may need to be supplemented by an AS who meets the requirements or a separately appointed OO. Educational qualifications, Management experience, Engineering experience and personnel combination cannot be applied separately from Appendix 38 of Homework Preparation.
Path Three
The combination of key personnel is based on the legal form of the applicant, RGBC or specific RSC category and eligibility assessment for each person. TD can concurrently serve as AS when meeting the requirements at the same time; The need for OO and its qualifications will be determined by the Buildings Department based on the homework test 38 and the case-by-case basis..

4. Comparison of specialized works categories and powers of general/specialized building contractor licenses in Hong Kong
| Specialized Engineering Category | Registration requirements | scope of authorisation |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition works | Proof of additional professional qualifications and equipment | Demolition of buildings or structures only |
| Basic engineering | pile foundation, Underground structures and other specialized technologies | Various types of foundation construction |
| Site formation works | earth excavation, Landfill and compaction equipment | Site leveling and preparation |
| On-site land survey engineering | In situ testing, Drilling sampling technology | Obtain geological data for design use |
| Ventilation system engineering | Mechanical ventilation equipment installation and commissioning | Internal building air conditioning |

5. Application review process for general/specialized building contractor license in Hong Kong
Step 1: Prepare a full set of supporting documents
Fill in BA2 and CL-BA2, and prepare business registration in legal form, Business registration information, RR1 to RR4, key personnel, industrial equipment, Documents such as resources and company resolutions.
Step 2: Submit application to Buildings Department
Submit the application in person or by post to the Contractor Registration Section of the Buildings Department, After confirming that the information is complete, you will receive written confirmation of receipt..
Step 3: Preliminary review by the Buildings Department (within 2 months)
If the documents are complete, The Buildings Department will forward the case to the Contractors Registration Committee (CRC) within 2 months after receiving the application.; If the documents are incomplete, they will be forwarded within 5 months at the latest..
Step 4: CRC Interview Assessment
Generally speaking, New AS applicants must undergo an interview with the Contractors Registration Committee; Those who have been previously admitted and meet the relevant requirements may only undergo internal review. The arrangement and scope are as per Assignment Preparation 38 Appendix I and Case Notice.
Step 5: Committee recommendation and approval
After the CRC considers it eligible, Registration officially approved by the Building Authority (BA), Gazette, Issue a certificate of registration.
6. List of information required for Hong Kong general/specialized building contractor license application
Application form BA2, Checklist CL-BA2 and applicable RR1 to RR4 declarations and supporting documents.
Company registration certificate, Business registration certificate, Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association
Minutes of meetings and list of directors appointed by the Board of Directors as Technical Directors (TD)
Educational certificates of Authorized Signatory (AS) and Technical Director (TD), Professional qualifications, Proof of work experience and letters of recommendation
Auditor's report with termination date within 18 months before application; Newly established company, Partnership or sole proprietorship can submit balance sheet within 3 months before application. Generally, working capital is required to be positive and business capital is not less than HK$200,000., Please refer to the current notice of the Buildings Department..
List of mechanical equipment owned or deployable and relevant supporting documents
Past relevant project contract records or project resume (if any)
Other supplementary documents required by the Buildings Department (such as overseas academic qualification evaluation report)
7. Compliance red lines and failure risks for general/specialized building contractor licenses in Hong Kong
[Key Personnel Arrangement] Key personnel will generally not be admitted as key personnel of another registered contractor at the same time, However, Appendix L of Homework Preparation 38 sets out special arrangements for the same group of key personnel to act; Must first check whether it is applicable.
[Renewal of work certificate or further education] Renewal/re-listing requires submission of relevant construction project work certificate according to Appendix M of Work Note 38, or proof of completion of an accredited continuing professional development course; Whether the interview is subject to fast-track approval conditions, Records and case decisions.
[Conviction and Disciplinary Records] Contractors and key personnel must submit RR2/RR3 declarations. Records affect review and whether expedited procedures can be adopted, However, the consequences will be determined by the Buildings Department and the Committee based on the nature and facts., Cannot be generalized as inevitable interview or rejection.
【Key personnel changes】AS, The resignation and succession of TD or OO shall be in accordance with regulations, Handling homework preparations and notifications from the Buildings Department. Declaration deadline, Transition arrangements and impacts on construction in progress should be confirmed by written decision, Unable to use a unified "immediate shutdown" expression.
[No lending or false use of registration] Contractors and key personnel must truly perform their duties, Do not allow third parties to fraudulently use registration or make false statements to the Buildings Department. Specific charges, Maximum penalties and civil liability depend on conduct, Charges and facts of the accident, It cannot be uniformly written as 14 years in prison..
[Overseas academic qualifications] The Buildings Department evaluates academic qualifications based on the homework test 38 and the accepted academic qualifications database; Is HKCAAVQ assessment required?, Professional body confirmation or supplementary certification depending on academic qualifications and application route, Not all foreign academic qualifications are subject to the same process.
[Risk of long-term departure of technical directors from Hong Kong] TD is not in Hong Kong for a long time or does not participate in substantive technical supervision, may be deemed to have failed to perform statutory supervisory duties, Resulting in license revocation.
8. Frequently Asked Questions about General/Specialized Building Contractors License in Hong Kong (FAQ)
9. Relevant regulations, Regulatory information and further reading
| Official materials | Verification purpose |
|---|---|
| Buildings Department: Registration Guidelines for General and Specialized Contractors | qualifications, BA2, document, processing node, interview, 3Annual registration and renewal |
| Registered Contractor Practice Test Preparation 38 | key personnel, category, Detailed rules for interviews and renewals |
| 2023Annual Contractor Resource Utilization Notice | Positive working capital and business capital of HK$200,000 |
| Buildings Department prescribed fees | Review fees before submission and payment |
| Buildings Department Registration List Inquiry | Check with the contractor, Category and current status |
10. Hong Kong General and Specialized Building Contractors License-Sample
