Central approval is a key scheme for craftsmen and construction companies in Norway who wish to establish themselves as reliable and professional actors in the construction industry. In this article, we explore what central approval is, why it is important, and how it can help increase your company's credibility and competitiveness in 2026.
What is central approval?
Central approval is a voluntary scheme administered by the Norwegian Directorate of Building Quality (DiBK) in Norway. This scheme serves as an official recognition that your company meets specific requirements for professional competence, financial solidity, and quality assurance routines. This gives you, as a craftsman, the opportunity to prove that your company is reliable, qualified, and in compliance with Norwegian laws and regulations.
The scheme is regulated by the Planning and Building Act and the Building Case Regulations (SAK10). Although central approval is voluntary, it is in practice very important for competing for assignments, especially in the public market.
Why is central approval important?
1. Increased credibility
Having central approval signals to customers and partners that your company is serious, reliable, and competent. It acts as a quality stamp that can give you an advantage in a competitive industry. Many builders and clients prefer to use centrally approved companies because it provides assurance of the quality of work.
2. Competitive advantage and access to assignments
In many cases, central approval is required to participate in tender processes, especially for public assignments. This means that central approval can open doors to new and larger projects that would otherwise not be available to your company. For construction companies in building and construction, this is often crucial for growth.
3. Simplicity and time savings
With central approval, you do not have to document competence and experience anew for each project. Instead of applying for local approval from each municipality, you can refer to your central approval. This saves both time and resources, which is especially valuable in a busy construction industry.
4. Simplification of building applications
When the company has central approval, the entire process of declaring responsibility is simplified. The municipality does not need to make an independent assessment of the company's competence, which means that building cases can be processed faster.
Requirements for central approval
To obtain central approval, your company must meet a number of requirements:
Professional competence
- Relevant education and experience among employees who will perform the work
- Requirements vary by risk class (1, 2 or 3) and function (design, execution, control)
- Documentation of competence through educational certificates and reference projects
Financial solidity
- The company must have satisfactory finances documented through financial statements
- No serious remarks from the tax authorities
- Paid taxes and VAT
Quality assurance routines
- The company must have a quality system that ensures that work is carried out in accordance with laws and regulations
- Documented routines for internal control in accordance with the Internal Control Regulations
- Systematic HSE work that covers all statutory requirements
HSE training
- Daily manager must have completed statutory HSE course for managers in accordance with the Working Environment Act § 3-5
- The company must be able to document that employees have received necessary safety training
- Relevant specialized courses such as fall protection, scaffolding erection and dangerous tools can strengthen the application
How central approval can improve your company's HSE
Good HSE practice is crucial for maintaining a safe and efficient working environment. Central approval contributes to this by ensuring that your company complies with all relevant laws and regulations, which reduces the risk of accidents and errors on the construction site. This can in turn lead to lower insurance premiums and less downtime, which is beneficial for both finances and reputation.
The requirements for quality assurance in central approval largely overlap with the requirements in the Internal Control Regulations. By systematically working with central approval, you also strengthen the company's general HSE work.
Application process step by step
- Identify needs – Assess which approval areas and risk classes your company needs
- Gather documentation – Education, experience, reference projects, financial statements and quality system
- Complete required training – Ensure that HSE courses and other statutory training are in place
- Submit application to DiBK – The application is submitted digitally via Altinn
- Processing – DiBK processes the application and may request additional documentation
- Approval – Upon approval, the company is registered in the public register
The approval is valid for three years and must be renewed. We are happy to assist you throughout the process.
Consequences without central approval
Although central approval is voluntary, lack of approval can have practical consequences:
- Loss of assignments – Many public and private clients require central approval
- More bureaucracy – Without central approval, you must apply for local approval for each project
- Lower credibility – Customers may choose centrally approved competitors over you
- Limited growth – Larger projects and tenders are often unavailable without approval
Frequently asked questions about central approval
Is central approval legally mandated?
No, central approval is voluntary, but highly recommended. Without central approval, the company must apply for local approval in each municipality for each project.
How long does the application process take?
The processing time at DiBK varies, but you should allow 4–8 weeks. The preparation of documentation may take longer depending on the company's size and complexity.
Do I need an HSE course to get central approval?
Yes, statutory HSE training for the daily manager is a basic requirement. You can take HSE courses for managers online at Komplett HMS and receive a course certificate on the same day.
Komplett HMS helps you along the way
Komplett HMS offers all the statutory courses your company needs to apply for central approval. All courses are 100% online and can be completed on mobile, tablet, or PC. You receive a course certificate immediately after passing the knowledge test, and the courses are available in a number of languages.
We have 5 out of 5 stars on Google and daily help companies meet the requirements for central approval. Contact us by phone 466 66 467 or email kundeservice@kompletthms.no for guidance.