From July 1, 2026, Construction Law No. 135/2025/QH15 and Decree No. 212/2026/ND-CP officially take effect, introducing several changes to the regulations on Individual Construction Practice Certificates. Notably, the qualification examination has been removed and replaced by an assessment of professional experience records. The scope of positions requiring a certificate and the requirements for practicing have also been adjusted.

These changes directly affect design engineers, construction supervision consultants, and individuals holding professional positions in construction activities.

1. Changes to Positions Requiring a Construction Practice Certificate

Under Article 28 of Decree No. 212/2026/ND-CP, the issuance of Construction Practice Certificates focuses on four main areas:

Construction Surveying: Topographical Surveying and Engineering Geological Surveying.
Urban and Rural Planning.
Construction Design: Construction Works Design and Building MEP Design. Architectural Design is subject to the regulations on architecture.
Construction Supervision: Supervision of Construction Works and Building Equipment Installation.

For other positions, the new regulations distinguish between positions requiring a Construction Practice Certificate and those subject to professional capacity and experience requirements. Construction Practice Certificates for Project Management and Construction Cost Estimation will no longer be issued.

The positions of Project Management Director and Construction Site Commander will be assessed based on the relevant professional capacity and experience requirements. For positions responsible for Cost Determination, Appraisal, and Cost Management, the certificate requirements are temporarily adjusted under Resolution No. 66.18/2026/NQ-CP, which is effective until February 28, 2027.

2. Qualification Examination Removed – Practical Experience Assessment Introduced

One of the notable changes is that the Qualification Examination will no longer be required for the initial issuance or conversion of a Construction Practice Certificate. Instead, the certificate assessment council will review the applicant’s professional qualifications and Professional Experience.

Professional Experience will be assessed based on the work, Construction Works, and Projects in which the individual has participated, provided that they are relevant to the requested practice field and Certificate Grade. Therefore, documents proving the individual’s role and Practical Experience will become important during the certificate assessment process.

3. Electronic Certificates and Management

From July 1, 2026, the results of procedures for the issuance of a Construction Practice Certificate will be issued and delivered electronically and linked to the individual’s Capacity Identification Code for Construction Activities.

The electronic certificate has the same legal validity as a paper certificate. Individuals may request a paper certificate if needed.

Each individual will be assigned an 8-digit Construction Practice Certificate number, which will be linked to their Personal Identification Code on the Information System on Construction Activities. This number will remain unchanged upon initial issuance, re-issuance, or conversion.

4. Authority Competent to Issue Construction Practice Certificates

Under Article 31 of Decree No. 212/2026/ND-CP, provincial-level People's Committees are responsible for organizing the issuance of Construction Practice Certificates to individuals.

Depending on actual circumstances, provincial-level People's Committees may decentralize or authorize competent authorities to carry out the issuance in accordance with regulations.

Under the new mechanism, Construction Practice Certificates will be issued by state authorities according to the applicable decentralization or authorization arrangements. Professional and social organizations will no longer be responsible for issuing Construction Practice Certificates as under the previous mechanism.

5.Education and Professional Experience Requirements

Individuals applying for a Construction Practice Certificate must still meet the requirements regarding their educational qualifications, years of experience, and relevant work experience for the registered practice field and Certificate Grade.

The minimum required experience is as follows:

In addition to the required years of experience, individuals must meet requirements regarding their role in the work and the scale and grade of the relevant Construction Works or Projects.

Relevant Professional Experience from the most recent 10 years will be considered. If experience older than this period is used, the individual may apply for a certificate one grade lower, in accordance with the regulations.

6. Cases Where a Construction Practice Certificate Is Not Required

Decree No. 212/2026/ND-CP provides for certain types of work that do not require a Construction Practice Certificate, including:

Preliminary design and appraisal of preliminary design in a pre-feasibility study report;
Design, appraisal, and supervision of communication and telecommunications systems;
Certain finishing works that do not affect load-bearing structures; and
Certain construction activities involving green parks, public lighting works, and telecommunications signal transmission cable systems.

The exemption from the Construction Practice Certificate requirement only applies to the specific cases provided by law. It does not mean that individuals are exempt from other professional requirements.

7. Validity and Use of Existing Certificates

New Construction Practice Certificates issued under the current regulations are valid for 10 years.

For Construction Practice Certificates issued under the 2014 Construction Law, individuals may continue to use them within the practice field and scope stated on the certificate until they expire, unless the certificate is revoked in accordance with regulations.

Important Notes

Under the new mechanism, individuals should proactively keep documents proving their work history, roles in Construction Works or Projects, and Professional Experience. These documents are important when applying for a Construction Practice Certificate, particularly for initial issuance or adjustment of the Certificate Grade.

Individuals should also keep track of the validity period of their current certificates and review the scope of practice against their actual work to ensure that they continue to meet the applicable requirements.

KEY POINTS TO NOTE ABOUT INDIVIDUAL CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE CERTIFICATES FROM JULY 1, 2026