The General Office of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has recently issued a notice regarding the implementation of electronic registration certificates for first-class construction engineers in certain regions.
Starting August 1, 2021, electronic certificates for first-level construction engineers will be introduced across 15 provinces, regions, and municipalities. Concurrently, the process for registration renewal will be initiated.
Here are two crucial dates to keep in mind:
1. From January 1, 2022, if a first-level construction engineer’s registration in the 15 specified provinces (regions, cities) expires and no renewal application is submitted, their registered qualification will become invalid.
2. From August 1, 2021, for engineers in the earlier pilot regions, if their registration expires without renewal, their qualification will also be invalidated.
Scope of Implementation
The 15 regions involved are Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, Henan, Guangdong, Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Qinghai, and Xinjiang.
The prior pilot regions include Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Hainan.
1. Registration Renewal Process
For first-level construction engineers registered in the 15 provinces including Hebei:
If your registration has expired, you must apply for renewal by December 31, 2021.
If your registration is still valid, submit your renewal application at least 30 days before it expires.
Failure to renew before expiration will result in invalidation of your registered qualification from January 1, 2022.
For engineers from the four pilot regions (Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Hainan):
The deadline for renewal applications has been extended to July 31, 2021 (previously June 30, 2021).
Registrations not renewed by this date will become invalid from August 1, 2021.
Applicants must meet continuing education requirements and commit to completing the necessary training for renewal.
Attachment: Flow Chart for First-Class Constructor Renewal Application
2. Introduction of Electronic Certificates
Beginning August 1, 2021, the electronic certificate system for first-level construction engineers will be launched in the 15 provinces listed above, following the national standard format used by the National Integrated Online Government Service Platform.
From that date, both the 15 new regions and the four pilot regions will cease issuing paper certificates or affixing anti-counterfeiting stickers for initial registrations, additional registrations, re-registrations, and renewals.
Any changes to employer information will not involve new anti-counterfeiting stickers. Lost or damaged paper certificates will not be reissued or replaced.
Electronic certificates will become the sole valid form starting January 1, 2022, and paper certificates will be invalidated.
Original Document:
Notice from the Office of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development
Implementation of Electronic Registration Certificates for First-Class Constructors in Selected Regions
Document No. Jianbanshi [2021] No. 25
The housing and urban-rural development departments across provinces, autonomous regions, and direct-controlled municipalities, along with related State Council departments and central enterprises, are hereby informed:
To support the “I do practical things for the people” initiative and deepen reforms aimed at streamlining administration, delegating authority, and enhancing services in the construction sector, the Ministry will pilot electronic registration certificates for first-level construction engineers. Initial pilots were conducted in Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Hainan. Now, additional regions will adopt electronic certificates and facilitate registration renewals accordingly.
1. Scope of Implementation
The 15 provinces and regions listed earlier will participate.
2. Responsibilities
(1) Electronic Certificates
From August 1, 2021, electronic certificates conforming to national standards will be issued in the specified regions. Paper certificates and anti-counterfeiting stickers for all registration types will no longer be issued in these areas.
Reissuance of paper certificates due to loss, damage, or information updates will not be provided.
From January 1, 2022, electronic certificates will be the only valid form, and all paper certificates will be invalidated.
The local housing and urban-rural development authorities should collaborate with industry regulators to innovate supervision methods, leveraging technology to integrate electronic certificates into bidding, approvals, project management, and industry oversight.
(2) Registration Renewal
Applications for renewal must be submitted before December 31, 2021, if the registration has expired. If still valid, renewal applications should be submitted at least 30 days before expiry.
For pilot regions, the deadline was July 31, 2021.
Renewal applicants must fulfill continuing education requirements and commit to completing the necessary courses.
Renewed registrations will be valid for up to three years or until the registrant reaches age 65, whichever comes first.
3. Electronic Certificate Usage Requirements
First-level construction engineers must securely manage their accounts on the National Government Service Platform to prevent unauthorized access.
Certificates can be viewed and downloaded through the National Government Service Platform or Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development portal. Each electronic certificate is valid for 180 days or until the registered professional’s expiration date or age 65, whichever is sooner. Expired certificates must be re-downloaded to regain validity.
After printing, engineers must hand-sign the certificate in the designated area. Unsigned or mismatched signatures render the certificate invalid.
Verification of registration information is available by scanning the QR code on the certificate via the official “China Architects Network” WeChat account.
In cases of discrepancy between electronic and paper certificates, electronic certificate data prevails. Updated certificates should be downloaded from the government platform.
Attachment 1: Examples and Explanations of Electronic Registration Certificates for First-Class Constructors
Attachment 2: Sample Electronic Registration Certificate for First-Class Constructors
Office of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development
June 24, 2021
(This information is voluntarily disclosed)
Documents from the Previous Pilot Phase
Notice from the Office of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development
Launch of Pilot Program for Electronic Registration Certificates for First-Class Constructors
Document No. Jianbanshi [2021] No. 5
The housing and urban-rural development departments of provinces, autonomous regions, direct-controlled municipalities, and relevant central government bodies, as well as central enterprises under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, are hereby informed:
To advance reform efforts in decentralization, management, and service within the construction industry, and to implement the State Council’s directive on accelerating the National Integrated Online Government Service Platform (Document GF [2018] No. 27), the Ministry will pilot electronic registration certificates for first-class constructors and continue registration renewal efforts.
1. Pilot Scope
The initial pilot covers Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Hainan, with further regions to be included as the program progresses.
2. Pilot Content
(1) Activation of Electronic Certificates
From February 1, 2021, pilot areas will issue electronic certificates conforming to national standards. The Ministry’s Administrative License Special Seal will serve as the official signature on these certificates, replacing the previous seal.
Both electronic and paper certificates will hold equal legal validity during the pilot phase, with paper certificates continuing to be issued.
(2) Renewal Process
Renewal applications should be submitted by June 30, 2021, if the registration has expired. If still valid, renewals must be applied for within 30 days before expiry. Registrations not renewed by July 1, 2021, will be invalidated.
Applicants must fulfill continuing education requirements and submit a commitment to completion.
Renewed registrations will be valid up to three years or until the registrant reaches age 65, whichever is earlier.
3. Electronic Certificate Usage Requirements
Engineers must safeguard their Government Platform accounts to prevent unauthorized use.
Certificates can be accessed and downloaded via the platform under “My Certificates.” Usage periods last 180 days or until the registration expires or the registrant turns 65. Expired certificates must be re-downloaded to regain validity.
Printed certificates require handwritten signatures in the designated area; unsigned or mismatched signatures invalidate the certificate.
Verification is available by scanning the certificate’s QR code via the official “China Architects Network” WeChat account.
Anti-counterfeiting stickers will no longer be affixed to paper certificates for those renewing registration or updating employer information.
Lost or damaged paper certificates will not be reissued.
In case of discrepancies between electronic and paper certificates, electronic certificate information shall prevail. Updates require re-downloading from the government platform.
Attachment 1: Examples and Explanations of Electronic Certificates for First-Class Constructors
Attachment 2: Sample Electronic Registration Certificate for First-Class Constructors
Attachment 3: Flow Chart for First-Class Constructor Renewal Application
Office of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development
January 27, 2021
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