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 twenty-one Designated Trades including concreting, concreting formwork, curtain wall, demolition, erection of concrete precast component, reinforcement bar fixing, scaffolding, plastering, suspended ceiling, tower crane (erecting, dismantling and altering height), building drainage installation, levelling and setting out, building maintenance, interior fitting-out, painting, metal work, structural steelwork, horticultural works, arboricultural works, skyrise greenery works and truss-out scaffolding while the latter register is applicable for Registered Subcontractor (RS) of other common civil, finishing, electrical and mechanical and supporting services trades.

For RSTC applicants, they shall satisfy the registration requirements under the six core elements of safety, management, job experiences, execution, finance and integrity management. 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, RSTC applicants shall provide information of their integrity policy, safety conviction records, 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, application forms and application guidelines of respective Registers.

3. If the Registered Subcontractor has already registered with the relevant Designated Trades of the RSTCS, does it need to separately apply for registration to the Register of Specialist Trade Contractors? What will be the consequence if it fails to fulfill the registration requirements after the grace period?

For those companies already registered with the Designated Trades of the RSTCS, they shall be automatically registered as RSTC Group 1 for the corresponding Designated Trades without the need of separate submission of application. However, they shall fulfill all registration requirements within the 18-month grace period or otherwise with the registration of the relevant 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 remains 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.