Contractor Registration in the Israeli Contractors Register: A Legal Guide
Israeli law requires that engineering construction works above a certain financial scope, or of certain types, be carried out only by a registered contractor.
Registration is done by submitting an application to the Contractors Register on the Ministry of Construction and Housing website. The application must be supported by detailed documents, including several legal documents certified by a lawyer.
This guide reviews the criteria set by the Law on Registration of Contractors for Engineering Construction Works, 5729-1969, explains the online application process, and describes how Adv. Emanuel Trach’s legal support can save time and money and help place the applicant in the right classification.
Background: The Contractors Registration Law
The Law on Registration of Contractors for Engineering Construction Works, 5729-1969 sets the criteria and requirements for registration in the Contractors Register. Its purpose is to ensure that only people with professional ability, experience and broad understanding of construction and engineering are registered to carry out construction works, protecting building quality and public safety. Every contractor must therefore meet threshold requirements and detailed criteria, divided between management qualifications (for managers) and employee qualifications (for the staff).
The Registration Process
A. How to apply
Registration is done through the “Application for Registration in the Contractors Register” on the government website. The applicant fills in the online form, attaches the required documents and submits the application electronically. The authorities then examine all documents and data in depth. If the applicant meets the requirements of the law and regulations, he is registered as a contractor entitled to perform engineering and construction works.
B. Main criteria
Under the law, the applicant must meet several threshold conditions, including:
- Being a licensed business (osek murshe) or registered contractor.
- Meeting professional and personal requirements, including management approvals, professional certificates, employer reports, affidavits on experience and background checks (such as a declaration of no convictions).
- Showing proven experience in construction and engineering, through affidavits and reports, with confirmations from the executing contractor for each project.
Required Documents by Type of Contractor
The documents depend on the type of contractor and its legal structure. There are five types: sole contractor, single-shareholder company, limited company, family company and partnership.
A. Sole Contractor
#### 1. Registration based on personal qualifications
- Bookkeeping certificate in the applicant’s name, confirming that the accounts are properly kept.
- Professional certificate, or an electrician’s or elevator technician’s certificate.
- Employer report confirmation from the National Insurance Institute.
- Affidavit on experience in the requested fields, detailing the applicant’s construction and engineering experience.
- Confirmation from the executing contractor, as an appendix to the affidavit, for each project mentioned.
- For an experienced applicant: an accounting report listing all invoices issued in the last 5 years, signed by an accountant.
- For a self-employed applicant: contracts with clients and the invoices issued for each project.
- For a site manager: confirmation from the regional labour inspector of the Ministry of Labour of appointments at construction sites.
- Declaration of no convictions, signed before a lawyer.
- Verification of no convictions.
- Power of attorney, if the application is filed by a representative (a lawyer or a contractors’ organization).
#### 2. Registration based on employee qualifications
For each employee:
- Bookkeeping certificate in the applicant’s name.
- Professional certificate, or an electrician’s or elevator technician’s certificate.
- Employer report confirmation from the National Insurance Institute.
- Employer’s affidavit on the employment of the employee.
- Employee’s affidavit (for an engineer, practical engineer or site manager), signed before a lawyer.
- Accountant’s opinion on the CEO’s declaration regarding employees.
- Affidavit on experience in the requested fields, with confirmation from the executing contractor.
- For an experienced or self-employed employee: accounting report for the last 5 years, or contracts and invoices.
- For an employee serving as site manager: confirmation from the regional labour inspector.
- Declaration and verification of no convictions.
- Power of attorney, if filed by a representative.
B. Single-Shareholder Company
(A private company owned by a single shareholder who is also the sole director, registered as active with the Registrar of Companies.)
- Companies Registrar extract and articles of association.
- Bookkeeping certificate in the company’s name.
- The personal documents listed for a sole contractor (professional certificate, employer report, affidavit on experience, accounting report or contracts, site manager confirmation, declaration and verification of no convictions).
- Power of attorney, if required.
- For registration based on employee qualifications: all employee documents listed in section A for each employee.
C. Limited Company
(A company in which shareholders’ liability is limited, registered as active with the Registrar of Companies.)
#### 1. Registration based on management qualifications
- Companies Registrar extract and articles of association.
- Bookkeeping certificate in the company’s name.
- Power of attorney, if filed by a representative.
- For each manager: manager’s affidavit signed before a lawyer, professional certificate, employer report, affidavit on experience with confirmation from the executing contractor, accounting report or contracts and invoices, site manager confirmation, and declaration and verification of no convictions.
#### 2. Registration based on employee qualifications
- Companies Registrar extract, articles of association and bookkeeping certificate.
- Power of attorney, if required.
- For each employee, the documents listed in section A.
D. Family Company
(A company whose shareholders are all members of one family under Section 76(d)(1), treated as a single entity.)
The documents are similar to those of a single-shareholder company, plus:
- Family company affidavit, signed before a lawyer, confirming that all shareholders are members of one family.
- The remaining documents are submitted according to the management and employee qualification sections (B and C).
E. Partnership
(Several persons running a joint business, registered as a partnership.)
- Partnership agreement or articles.
- Bookkeeping certificate in the partnership’s name.
- Power of attorney, if filed by a representative.
- For each manager: professional certificate, employer report, partnership affidavit signed before a lawyer, affidavit on experience with confirmation from the executing contractor, accounting report or contracts and invoices, site manager confirmation, and declaration and verification of no convictions.
- For registration based on employee qualifications: the employee documents listed in section A.
In every category, submitting all the required documents is essential. They establish management and staff qualifications and professional experience, and confirm that the applicant or manager has no criminal record that could affect the safety of the works.
Legal Support from Adv. Emanuel Trach
Why legal support matters
Registration in the Contractors Register is a complex bureaucratic process that requires collecting and submitting many documents and coordinating with several bodies: the Ministry of Construction and Housing, the Ministry of Labour, the National Insurance Institute and others. Small mistakes or a missing document can lead to rejection or significant delays. Adv. Emanuel Trach provides professional legal support to ensure the application is complete, accurate and compliant with the law.
How Adv. Trach helps
- Preliminary eligibility review: reviewing the applicant’s personal and business information and documents to confirm that all requirements of the law are met.
- Collecting documents and preparing the application: according to the type of contractor, ensuring the documents are organized and presented as the authorities require, including the documents needed for each employee.
- Guidance on the criteria: explaining each criterion and helping place the applicant in the right classification, whether for engineering works, electrical works, elevators or other fields, to prevent rejection.
- Filing and follow-up: accompanying the applicant through the online application, checking that the form is completed correctly and all documents are attached, and following the application with the authorities, answering questions and resolving bureaucratic issues.
- Saving time and money: professional support prevents errors that cause delays or additional costs.
Lawyer’s certification of affidavits and declarations is part of the service.
Summary and Recommendations
Registration in the Contractors Register is a critical step in ensuring professionalism and safety in construction and engineering. The law sets strict criteria so that only experienced and professional contractors may carry out engineering works.
- Check your eligibility in advance: gather all the documents and consult an expert.
- Use up-to-date information: make sure you know the current requirements of the law and regulations.
- Get professional legal support: Adv. Emanuel Trach is available to help at every stage.
- Pay attention to details: every document and approval matters.
*This article is for information only and is not legal advice. For advice tailored to your situation, contact a lawyer experienced in contractor registration.*
Contact for
Legal advice without obligation