The Construction License (건설업 등록) is a core regulatory requirement in Korea for companies that perform construction work as a business. In practice, it is commonly referred to as “건설업 면허” in everyday business usage. Below is a concise explanation of what it covers, who needs it, and what it signals about a company.
What is a construction license (건설업 등록)?
In Korea, construction businesses are generally required to register by construction business category with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT, 국토교통부), under the Framework Act on the Construction Industry (건설산업기본법).
Which businesses require construction registration?
In principle, companies that perform construction work as a business must be registered for the applicable construction business category. The scope varies by category and work type, and there are limited exceptions for certain “minor works” under the Enforcement Decree (threshold-based and condition-based), meaning not every small or incidental work necessarily triggers registration.
What types of construction works typically require registration?
In practice, construction registration commonly covers specialty construction trades across major work categories such as:
- Gas & heating systems: gas facility construction (Type 1–3), heating system construction (Type 1–3)
- Mechanical facilities & building services: mechanical facilities works and related building-services installation
- Structural works: steel structures, steel/metal structural works, steel materials installation, rebar & concrete works
- Building works: general building construction; prefabricated building assembly works
- Demolition & temporary works: structure demolition; scaffolding works
- Exterior envelope trades: roofing; sheet-metal works; windows/doors; metal works
- Finishes & protection: painting; plastering; wet finishing; waterproofing; stone masonry
- Ground & civil site works: earthwork/excavation; groundwork/formation; pavement works
- Geotechnical works: boring; grouting
- Water & marine works: sewerage facility works; underwater works; dredging
- Transport infrastructure: railway works; track works
- Vertical transportation & ropeway systems: elevator installation; ropeway/cableway works
- Landscaping: landscaping works; landscape planting; landscape facilities installation
- Industrial & environmental facilities: industrial facilities works; environmental facilities works
- Facility maintenance/management: facility maintenance and management business category
What does the construction license indicate about the business?
A construction registration indicates that the company has met the registration standards required for that construction category. In practice, this commonly relates to requirements around items such as qualified technical personnel, capital/financial capacity, and basic business operation conditions, depending on the category and rules in force.
Coverage in KOBDi: The KOBDi database includes Korean businesses with Construction License across gas/heating, mechanical facilities, structural/building, finishes & waterproofing, civil/groundworks, water/marine, transport infrastructure, elevators/ropeways, landscaping, and industrial/environmental facilities work categories. This information appears on each Business Profile page, and companies with these licenses can be found via the KOBDi Korea Industry Search.