Trade licence
Also called: Contractor licence, Certificate of qualification, Ticket, Trade license
Official permission to carry out a trade, or to carry it out unsupervised. Which trades need one, who issues it, whether it is held by the individual or the business, and whether it is recognised when you cross a border all vary by province and by state — electrical and plumbing are licensed nearly everywhere, while painting and landscaping often are not. Working outside a licence can void your insurance as well as attracting a fine.
This one depends on where you work
The rule behind trade licence is set by the province or state the work is in, and the versions do not agree with one another. We have described the shape of it and deliberately not named a deadline, a cap or a percentage — check the rule where you work, or ask someone who practises there.
Related terms
- Surety bondA guarantee from a third party that you will do what you promised, which pays the customer if you do not.
- PermitPermission from the local authority to carry out work before you start it, usually followed by one or more inspections.
- Building codeThe rules setting out how work must be built for safety.
More in insurance, bonding and licensing
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