Organizations no longer need capacity certificates, but individuals holding titles or practicing independently in construction face the opposite — individual construction practice certificates remain mandatory. From 01/7/2026, the issuance mechanism changes comprehensively under Decree 212/2026/ND-CP: no examinations, electronic issuance, capacity identification codes.
This article systematizes the fields, conditions and procedures for the newest individual practice certificates, helping engineers, architects and businesses prepare proactively.
1. Four fields for practice certificates
Under Decree 212/2026/ND-CP, construction practice certificates are issued to individuals in 4 fields:
- Construction survey: topographic survey; geological survey of works;
- Urban and rural planning;
- Construction design: architectural design (per architecture law); construction work design; mechanical–electrical design;
- Construction supervision: supervision of construction works; supervision of equipment installation.
2. Examinations abolished — dossier and experience-based assessment
The most important change: the 2025 Construction Law (Article 89) and Article 33 of Decree 212/2026 have removed the examination requirement testing professional experience and legal knowledge. From 01/7/2026, individuals need no examination for practice certificates — assessment is based on capacity dossiers, diplomas and actual experience.
Fewer procedures does not mean laxer control: issuing authorities conduct post-inspection on the National Database, and individuals are responsible for dossier truthfulness.
3. Electronic issuance, identification codes and certificate numbers
Under Article 19 and Clause 6 of Article 21 of Decree 212/2026:
- Each individual in construction activities is assigned a unique capacity identification code — Vietnamese citizens use their personal identification number; foreigners use their passport number;
- Certificate issuance results are delivered electronically, with legal validity equal to paper copies, stored and shared on the Construction Activities Information System;
- Each certificate carries an 8-digit number (Article 27.8), auto-generated by the system and unchanged upon new issuance, re-issuance or conversion.
4. Issuing authority: provincial People’s Committees
Issuance authority now rests with provincial People’s Committees — no longer socio-professional organizations as before. Depending on local conditions, provincial People’s Committees may decentralize or authorize per local government organization law. Note: many localities have suspended receipt of dossiers during the transition to the new mechanism — individuals should follow announcements from their local Department of Construction.
5. Two certificate types no longer issued
Under Clause 2 of Article 55 of Decree 212/2026, from 01/7/2026 competent authorities shall not issue project management and construction costing practice certificates. Project management shifts from “certificate” to “practice condition” — individuals undertaking project management must meet prescribed conditions without a separate certificate.
6. Cases not requiring practice certificates (Article 27)
Decree 212 lists activities not requiring certificates, including: preliminary design and appraisal in pre-feasibility study reports; design, appraisal and supervision of in-building communication and telecom systems; design, appraisal and supervision of finishing works (plastering, tiling, painting, door installation) and construction not affecting load-bearing structures; construction activities for green parks and public lighting. Individuals without certificates may only perform work matching their trained specialty and may not hold titles requiring certificates.
7. Transitional dossiers and foreigners
- Dossiers submitted before 01/7/2026 are processed under Decree 175/2024/ND-CP; cases qualifying for examination are issued per council assessment without examination;
- Foreigners practicing in Vietnam for under 6 months: foreign diplomas and practice licenses must be consular-legalized, with notarized Vietnamese translations;
- Practicing for 6 months or more: must convert practice certificates at the competent authority (Article 31).
Frequently asked questions
Q: I hold a Grade I practice certificate under the old law — must I re-apply?
A: Issued certificates remain valid for their stated term; upon expiry or when seeking new issuance/re-issuance/conversion, the new mechanism applies (no examination, electronic issuance, unchanged 8-digit number).
Q: Do QS engineers (cost estimators) still need construction costing certificates?
A: No — construction costing practice certificates are no longer issued from 01/7/2026. Individuals performing costing and estimation work must meet professional conditions under the new regulations.
Q: Do site managers need practice certificates?
A: Since Decree 175/2024, the certificate requirement for site managers was abolished — only experience conditions apply — and Decree 212/2026 continues this approach. Tender dossiers demanding site-manager certificates are inconsistent with the law.
Engineers and architects needing advice on practice certificates under the new mechanism? Contact us for advice.
This article was prepared by the FLAW AI Legal Council. Content is pending QA Council review before submission for approval; information is for reference only and does not replace legal advice for your specific case.
