Electrician: conditions of access and exercise in France
Verified 02 May 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Directorate-General for Enterprise (DGE)
- Regulated craft activity
- EPA Code : 43.21A / European NACE Code : 43.21
- Social contributions : to be paid to theUrssaf: titleContent
- Social security scheme: Social security for the self-employed (SSI) or General social security scheme, depending on the mode of exercise
- Social protection: CPAM: titleContent (disease), Carsat: titleContent (retirement)
Definition
The electrician is a professional whose mission is to carry out the work of electrical installation and commissioning of electrical equipment. He is in charge of realization, of the maintenance and the alteration electrical installations.
He studies plans and diagrams to find out where to lay the wires and then looks for locations where he can settle circuit breakers or electrical cabinets.
The electrician has many skills, and during his missions he can:
- Settling Pipes and Supports
- Lay cable lines
- Install various equipment (switches, electrical outlets, heating appliances).
This profession requires versatile. Thus, depending on the work site, the electrician may intervene to:
- Wiring the computer links or telephone
- SETTLE a video surveillance or alarm
- Make the necessary connections to the heating and to the air conditioning a room.
At the end of the work, the electrician verifies compliance installations and a series of tests. It also ensures that it has settled the necessary supplies for the installation in accordance with safety standards.
Access
To practice in France, an electrician must have the required qualifications.
If these conditions are not filled, the practice of the profession of electrician is illegal.
Exercising the profession without the requisite qualifications shall be punishable by fine of €7,500.
The criminal offense oftitle spoofing is punishable byone year in prison and €15,000 of fine.
The rules on training and qualification depend on the nationality of the electrician.
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French
To carry out the activity in France, you must have a diploma or experience obtained in France or in Europe.
To know : Any person who was actually engaged in the profession of electrician on 6 July 1996 shall provide proof of his professional qualification.
French Diploma
To be able to practice the profession of electrician in France, you must have obtained one of the following diplomas:
- Certificate of Professional Competence (CAP)
- Professional patent (BP)
- Diploma or evidence of formal qualifications of equal or higher level approved or registered at the time of issue to the National Occupational Certification Register (NPCR)
All these diplomas must attest to a qualification in the profession of electrician.
EU or EEA diploma
The French electrician who has obtained an EU or EEA diploma must apply to the CMA: titleContent competent at the place of business certificate of recognition of professional qualification.
This certificate allows the diploma obtained in theEU (EU) or in a State of theEuropean Economic Area (EEA).
The following supporting documents shall be submitted to the competent AMC:
- Valid proof of identity
- Proof of diploma(s) in the original language with their translation
- Proof of professional experience (e.g. pay slips)
- Employment contract (if possible)
- Sometimes a fee varying in amount according to the competent CMA
Please note
Where the training received shows so-called “substantial” differences with the qualifications and training required in France, the CMA may ask the electrician to carry out a compensation measure. This may be an adaptation period or an aptitude test. The choice is left to the electrician.
At the end of the compensatory measure, the CMA issues the electrician admitted with a certificate of professional qualification.
3 years professional experience in France or Europe
It is possible to practice the profession of electrician in France if one can prove a professional experience of 3 years in the trade in France, in theEU (EU) or in a State of theEuropean Economic Area (EEA). This experience must have been acquired as the head of a company, self-employed person or employee.
In this case, the person must obtain the issuance of a certificate of professional qualification by the Chamber of Crafts and Crafts (CMA) competent in the place of practice.
Citizen of an EU or EEA State
The conditions for training and qualification are different if the European national wishes to work in France permanently (freedom of establishment) or temporarily (freedom to provide services).
Permanent exercise (freedom of establishment in France)
In order to establish themselves in France, the European national must have a diploma or experience obtained in France or in Europe.
French Diploma
To be able to practice the profession of electrician in France, you must have obtained one of the following diplomas:
- Certificate of Professional Competence (CAP)
- Professional patent (BP)
- Diploma or evidence of formal qualifications of equal or higher level approved or registered at the time of issue to the National Occupational Certification Register (NPCR)
All these diplomas must attest to a qualification in the profession of electrician.
EU or EEA diploma
In order to establish himself permanently in France, the electrician who is a national of an Eastern European StateEU (EU) or a State of theEuropean Economic Area (EEA) must ask the CMA: titleContent competent at the place of business certificate of recognition of professional qualification.
If the profession is regulated in the State of origin, it is also possible to provide a certificate of competence or evidence of formal qualifications required for the exercise of the activity of an electrician in an EU or EEA State.
If the profession of electrician is not regulated in the State of origin, the pursuit of the trade must be justified full-time for one year or part-time for an equivalent period in the preceding 10 years. This justification shall be accompanied either by a certificate of competence obtained from the CMA or by evidence of formal qualifications obtained in an EU or EEA Member State.
Who shall I contact
Within one month of receipt of the file, the CMA shall issue a receipt stating the date of receipt of the application.
In the event of an incomplete application, the CMA shall notify the electrician of the list of missing documents within 15 days of receipt thereof.
In the absence of notification of the CMA's decision within 3 months of receipt of the complete application, recognition of the professional qualification or competences shall be deemed to have been acquired.
Please note
Where the training received shows so-called “substantial” differences with the qualifications and training required in France, the CMA may ask the electrician to carry out a compensation measure. This may be an adaptation period or an aptitude test. The choice is left to the electrician.
At the end of the compensatory measure, the CMA issues the electrician admitted with a certificate of professional qualification.
In particular, SOLVIT is involved in the recognition of professional qualifications.
The use of SOLVIT is possible if the following 2 conditions are met:
- The public administration of one EU country has failed to respect its rights under EU law as a company or citizen of another EU country.
- Legal action has not yet been initiated (the administrative appeal is not considered as such).
After 10 weeks, SOLVIT presents a solution:
- If this solution settles the dispute concerning the application of European law, the solution is accepted and the case is closed.
- If there is no solution, the case is closed as unresolved and referred to the European Commission.
3 years professional experience in France or Europe
It is possible to practice the profession of electrician in France if one can prove a professional experience of 3 years in the trade in France, in theEU (EU)or in a State of theEuropean Economic Area (EEA). This experience must have been acquired as a company manager, self-employed person or employee.
In this case, the person must obtain the issuance of a certificate of professional qualification by the Chamber of Crafts and Crafts (CMA) competent in the place of practice.
Who shall I contact
In particular, SOLVIT is involved in the recognition of professional qualifications.
The use of SOLVIT is possible if the following 2 conditions are met:
- The public administration of one EU country has failed to respect its rights under EU law as a company or citizen of another EU country.
- Legal action has not yet been initiated (the administrative appeal is not considered as such).
After 10 weeks, SOLVIT presents a solution:
- If this solution settles the dispute concerning the application of European law, the solution is accepted and the case is closed.
- If there is no solution, the case is closed as unresolved and referred to the European Commission.
Temporary exercise (freedom to provide services)
In order to temporarily and occasionally practice the profession of electrician in France, it is necessary tobe established in one of the Member States of theEU (EU)or theEuropean Economic Area (EEA).
However, if the profession of electrician is not regulated in the Member State concerned, it must have been practiced for a period ofat least one year full-time in one or more EU or EEA Member States or during a part-time equivalent period during the 10 years preceding the performance performed in France.
The electrician must inform the relevant CMA by written declaration that he wishes to practice this profession. If he is unable to produce the documents required under this declaration, he may ask the CMA to carry out an aptitude test to establish his professional qualification.
He can also obtain a certificate of professional qualification from the CMA.
Please note
Where the training received shows so-called “substantial” differences with the qualifications and training required in France, the CMA may ask the electrician to carry out a compensation measure. This may be an adaptation period or an aptitude test. The choice is left to the electrician.
At the end of the compensatory measure, the CMA issues the electrician admitted with a certificate of professional qualification.
Third-country national
In order to establish himself in France, a third-country national must have a diploma or experience obtained in France or in Europe.
French Diploma
To be able to practice the profession of electrician in France, you must have obtained one of the following diplomas:
- Certificate of Professional Competence (CAP)
- Professional patent (BP)
- Diploma or evidence of formal qualifications of equal or higher level approved or registered at the time of issue to the National Occupational Certification Register (NPCR)
All these diplomas must attest to a qualification in the profession of electrician.
EU or EEA diploma
In order to establish himself permanently in France, an electrician who is a national of a third country must apply to the CMA: titleContent competent at the place of business certificate of recognition of professional qualification.
This certificate allows the diploma obtained in theEU (EU) or in a State of theEuropean Economic Area (EEA).
The following supporting documents shall be submitted to the competent AMC:
- Valid proof of identity
- Proof of diploma(s) in the original language with their translation
- Proof of professional experience (e.g. pay slips)
- Employment contract (if possible)
- Sometimes a fee varying in amount according to the competent CMA
FYI
Where the training received shows so-called “substantial” differences with the qualifications and training required in France, the CMA may ask the electrician to carry out a compensation measure. This may be an adaptation period or an aptitude test. The choice is left to the electrician.
At the end of the compensatory measure, the CMA issues the electrician admitted with a certificate of professional qualification.
Third State Diploma
In order to establish himself permanently in France, an electrician who is a national of a third country must apply to the CMA: titleContent competent at the place of business certificate of recognition of professional qualification.
The following supporting documents shall be submitted to the competent AMC:
- Valid proof of identity
- Proof of diploma(s) in the original language with their translation
- Proof of professional experience (e.g. pay slips)
- Employment contract (if possible)
- Sometimes a fee varying in amount according to the competent CMA
FYI
Where the training received shows so-called “substantial” differences with the qualifications and training required in France, the CMA may ask the electrician to carry out a compensation measure. This may be an adaptation period or an aptitude test. The choice is left to the electrician.
At the end of the compensatory measure, the CMA issues the electrician admitted with a certificate of professional qualification.
3 years professional experience in France or Europe
It is possible to practice the profession of electrician in France if one can prove a professional experience of 3 years in the trade in France, in theEU (EU) or in a State of theEuropean Economic Area (EEA). This experience must have been acquired as a company manager, self-employed person or employee.
In this case, the person must obtain the issuance of a certificate of professional qualification by the Chamber of Crafts and Crafts (CMA) competent in the place of practice.
Exercise
The electrician can work as an employee, but he can also be self-employed or set up a business.
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Individual exercise
The electrician can carry on his own profession in his own name and be subject to income tax (IR). He has to do that create a.
He may choose the status of micro-entrepreneur and be subject to the tax and social security system of the micro-entrepreneur. In order to benefit from these schemes, turnover HT: titleContent shall not exceed €77,700. Moreover, the micro-entrepreneur scheme prevents the deduction of professional expenses.
Exercise in business
The electrician can create his business and choose to practice alone or with associates. Creating an exercise business optimizes the tax burden by providing different options for allocating revenue among partners. The options can reduce income tax (IR) or business tax (SI) as well as social contributions.
For example, the most common legal forms for practicing the profession of electrician are:
Registration must be done online on the company Formalities Window website:
The application for registration shall be made within one month before the declared date of commencement of the activity or, at the latest, within 15 days following the date of commencement of the activity.
This declaration is used to inform all the bodies concerned by the launch of the activity (INSEE, social organizations, Urssaf, public finance center, etc.).
INSEE shall award:
- a number Siren. It constitutes the unique identification number of the company as a legal unit. It is composed of 9 digits;
- a number Siret. It constitutes thegeographical identifier of each institution of the company, it is therefore possible to have several. This number is composed of the Siren and a NIC (Internal Classification Number).
When registering the company, INSEE also attributes the electrician sound EPA code. For electrician activity, the APE code is 43.21A.
Please note
The craftsman can carry out an installation preparation course (SPI). This course, carried out before registration, lasts about 30 hours over 4 or 5 days. Its purpose is to prepare the craftsman for the job of head of company.
In order to be able to practice the profession of electrician, it is imperative to respect the conditions of good repute.
Thus, it is not possible to be an electrician for the prohibited person to direct, administer or control, directly or indirectly, a commercial, craft, agricultural or legal company.
A person sentenced to an additional penalty of prohibition from engaging in a professional or social activity for a crime or misdemeanor may not engage in the profession of electrician.
Contributions called by theUrssaf: titleContent depend on the business structure and legal status of the manager.
For all the rules concerning the social security scheme of the manager, you can consult the sheet relating to the Social protection of the business manager.
The craftsman who carries out his activity in his own name (GW) or as the majority manager of a business (such as a EURL or a SARL), is affiliated to the Social security for the self-employed (SSI), the compulsory scheme for self-employed persons.
The trader must pay social security contributions to the Urssaf from the start of his activity.
However, in practice, no contributions or social contributions are required for the first 90 days that follow the launch of its activity.
As income is not yet known at the start of the activity, contributions are first calculated on a flat-rate basis for the first 2 years (at the same rates as apply in-service), then adjusted and adjusted for actual income in the fiscal year.
Contributions must be paid online in one of the following ways:
- Either every month : payment is made on the 5th or 20th of each month by direct debit.
- Either every quarter : payment is made by direct debit, by electronic payment or by credit card on 5 February, 5 May, 5 August and 5 November.
When he carries out his activity in the framework of a business and holds management functions which give him the status of equivalent employee (president or paid director general of SAS, for example), the trader is subject to the general social security scheme.
His social security contributions are the same as those of an executive employee, and he has equivalent social protection, with the exception of unemployment insurance (optional unemployment insurance is however possible).
The electrician must to take out insurance to cover its liability for its actions.
This insurance covers:
- Personal injury (e.g. injury to others)
- Material damage (e.g. breakage of furniture)
- Non-material damages (e.g. loss of revenue for the customer due to delay in the execution of work)
FYI
Employers must take out insurance for their employees in respect of acts carried out in connection with their professional activity. The electrician who exercises as salaried worker is not required to take out insurance.
The electrician also has the obligation to subscribe to a ten-year liability insurance.
It guarantees for 10 years the repair of damage occurring after the receipt of the work.
This insurance covers damage caused to installations and defects which were not detectable when the works were received (malfunction of an installation or water damage for example).
FYI
Employers must take out insurance for their employees in respect of acts carried out in connection with their professional activity. The electrician who exercises as salaried worker is not required to take out insurance.
The employer must issue an electrical clearance to its electrical employees.
It recognizes that the electrician can perform his duties safely with regard to electrical risk.
This clearance is compulsory for operations carried out on or in the vicinity of electrical installations. It follows prior training which includes both a theoretical and a practical part.
The self-employed electrician is not required to obtain an electrical clearance. However, the contracting authority may require a certificate of training. This certificate, issued by the training organization, contains the elements of the authorization.
In addition, if the activity is carried out on a building and civil engineering site, it will have to comply with specific prevention and protection measures. Failure to comply with the measures shall be punished by a fine of €4,500.
In order to be able to practice the profession of plumber, the employee must obtain a professional identification card called the “card” CONSTRUCTION: titleContent ”.
The BTP card order is only done over the Internet and requires the creation of an account:
Request or change of BTP card (professional identification card)
At the time of the order, the employer pays a flat fee of €9.80.
Any failure to have a BTP card is punishable by a fine of €4,000 maximum.
For more information, please see the fact sheet on the BTP card.
Electricians, like other construction trades, involve risks (work under tension, at a height, in technical premises) that can lead to serious or fatal accidents.
The contractor must therefore put in place specific safety measures (checking equipment, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), cutting off power supply, etc.).
In the case of employees, the electrician must also guarantee their safety, in particular:
- Organize actions for the prevention of occupational risks, information and training
- Assess risks in the company and develop the Single Occupational Risk Assessment Document (DUERP)
- Provide them with suitable equipment (PPE, compliant equipment)
- Establish a secure organization of work.
Failure to comply with these obligations may result in administrative, civil or criminal penalties.
For more information, please consult our page: Occupational health and safety: employer's obligations.
The INRS website offers detailed information on the Prevention in the construction sector.
The Ameli website also provides tools for Construction professionals.
The work and troubleshooting of the electrician are subject to the obligation to prepare a prior estimate.
This quote includes a list of information to be provided to the customer.
For more information, please see the fact sheet Mandatory quotation: affected activities.
The quote must include the following information:
- Date of writing
- Name and address of the company
- Customer Name
- Place of execution of the operation
- Exact nature of the intervention to be carried out
- Detailed breakdown, in quantity and price, of each service and products necessary for the planned operation: description, unit price and description of what it applies to (labor hours, linear meter or square meter) and the planned quantity
- Hourly labor rate TTC: titleContent
- Estimated time counting procedures
- If there are any: travel expenses
- Aggregate amount payable HT: titleContent and TTC: titleContent with VAT rate
- Duration of validity of the offer
- Quote information: free or paid
- Cost of the quote when it is paid
Please note
Depending on the nature of the work carried out, the VAT rate varies. All of these rates are in the card VAT rate for renovation work on a dwelling.
Activities subject to the professional qualification requirement
Requirement for professional qualification
Freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services for EU or EEA nationals
Qualification of EU or EEA nationals
Qualification of third-country nationals
Conditions for the professional qualification of third-country nationals
Penalty in the event of activity without professional qualification
Penalty for the spoofing of securities
Obligation of good repute
Penalty for failure to act in good repute
Time limit for registration
Obligations of the employer to ensure safety
Electrical clearance obligation for employees
Use of PPE by the self-employed
Social security professionals for the self-employed
Employed persons treated as such under the general scheme (11° and 12°)
Basis for calculating contributions at the start of activity (para. 2)
90-day first due date
Schedule of payment of social contributions (III)
Monthly Payments
Quarterly Payments
Online service
Online service
Council for the Social Protection of the Self-Employed (CPSTI)