Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the registration requirements?

The Registered Specialist Trade Contractors Scheme (RSTCS) comprising two registers namely the Register of Specialist Trade Contractors and the Register of Subcontractors.  The former register is applicable for Registered Specialist Trade Contractors (RSTC) of seven Designated Trades including demolition, reinforcement bar fixing, erection of concrete precast component, concreting formwork, concreting, scaffolding and curtain wall while the latter register is applicable for Registered Subcontractor (RS) of other common civil, building, electrical and mechanical trades.

For RSTC applicants, they shall satisfy the registration requirements under the five core elements of safety, management, job experiences, execution and finance. For details, please refer to the Rules and Procedures for the Register of Specialist Trade Contractors.

Whereas for RS applicants, they shall continue to adopt the prevailing registration requirements, including completion of at least one job within the last five years, on the list of relevant Government registration schemes or possession of recognised personal qualification by the company proprietor, partner or director. For details, please refer to the Rules and Procedures for the Register of Subcontractors.

2. What kind of information and documents should be submitted when applying for the Scheme?

Apart from business registration and Companies Registry’s records, RTSC applicants shall provide information of their management, technical, safety supervisory personnel and long-term employment workers as well as job reference of satisfactory performance and audited financial statements.  RS applicants shall provide prevailing required information and supporting documents. For details, please refer to the Rules and Procedures and application forms of respective Registers.

3. If the Registered Subcontractor has already registered with the seven Designated Trades as on the Effective Date of the RSTCS (i.e., 1st April 2019), does it need to apply for registration to the Register of Specialist Trade Contractors? What will be the consequence if it failed to fulfill the registration requirements after the grace period?

For those companies already registered with the seven Designated Trades as on the Effective Date of the RSTCS (i.e., 1st April 2019), they shall be automatically registered as RSTC Group 1 for the corresponding Designated Trades without the need of submission of separate application. However, they shall fulfill all registration requirements within the 3-year grace period or otherwise with the registration of the seven Designated Trades be cancelled.

4. If the company has been automatically registered as RSTC Group 1 but want to be registered as Group 2, does it need to submit application separately?

The company shall submit a separate application for change of registration grouping to ensure it meets the registration requirements of RSTC Group 2.

5. How much is the registration fee?

The fee for new and renewal of registration as RSTC is HK$1,300 including HK$100 non-refundable application fee. The registration fee for RS remain unchanged. For details, please refer to the Rules and Procedures and fee schedules of respective Registers.

6. Under what circumstances would regulatory actions be initiated?

Under the RSTCS, regulatory actions on cases such as court conviction or violation of relevant laws, as well as breach of the Rules and Procedures shall be instigated.  When there is a prima facie case, a hearing will be conducted by the Committee on RSTCS.  Regulatory actions imposed would be published on the Scheme Website.  An independent appeal mechanism is established to handle appeal cases.