New Regulations for Tradespeople: Registration, Qualifications, and Deadlines

The Register of Tradespeople is the official register of all persons and legal entities performing craft activities in accordance with the Law on Crafts. Registration in this register is not a formality, but a legal requirement for the lawful performance of craft activities.

Upon successful completion of the registration procedure, the Chamber of Crafts of Montenegro issues one of the following documents:

• a Certificate of Registration in the Register of Tradespeople, or
• a Certificate of Initiated Registration Procedure, if not all prescribed requirements have been met.

Without one of these two certificates, a craft activity may not be performed legally.

HOW TO REGISTER IN THE REGISTER OF TRADESPEOPLE

Registration may be completed in one of the following ways:

• Through institutions – via the competent local secretariat
• Electronically – by submitting an e-Craft Application

If all required documentation and conditions are fulfilled, the Certificate of Registration is issued immediately, and no later than within 15 days.

VERIFICATION OF REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

During the registration process, the Chamber of Crafts verifies:

• whether the declared craft activity is permitted
• whether the prescribed professional qualification requirement has been met, where applicable

Regulated (complex) crafts (e.g. beautician, painter, carpenter)

For regulated crafts, it is mandatory that the entrepreneur or the responsible person within a company possesses:

• a passed master crafts examination, or
• a national vocational qualification, or
• an appropriate level of formal education

Without meeting this requirement, permanent registration cannot be granted.

NON-REGULATED (SIMPLE) CRAFTS (e.g. mason, carpenter, painter)

For these activities, there is no requirement to hold a professional qualification.

WHAT IF THE REQUIRED QUALIFICATION IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION?

In such cases:

• a Certificate of Initiated Registration Procedure is issued
• a six-month deadline is granted to pass the master crafts examination or to employ another qualified responsible person

If this requirement is not fulfilled within the given deadline, the entity loses the right to continue performing the craft activity.

REGISTRATION FEES AND MEMBERSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS

• Registration in the Register of Tradespeople is free of charge if the application is correctly completed and voluntary payment of membership contributions is selected.
• Otherwise, a fee is charged for assistance with the registration process.