Master Craftsman Certificate in a Trade

The District Commissioners are responsible for issuing master craftsman certificates to those who apply and meet the requirements according to the Handicrafts Act. A master craftsman certificate grants its holder the right to operate an independent business in the respective trade, take on apprentices, and use the title of "Master Craftsman."

List of Certified Trades

An application for a master craftsman certificate must be submitted to the District Commissioner of the district where the applicant has their legal domicile after completing studies at a master school.

Cost

The fee for issuing a master craftsman certificate is ISK 12,000.

Requirements

The following conditions must be met to be issued a master craftsman certificate:

• Must be an Icelandic citizen, a Faroese citizen, or a citizen of a country that is a party to the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Agreement. A foreign national who has had legal domicile in Iceland for at least one continuous year is exempt from the Icelandic citizenship requirement.

• Must have completed a journeyman exam in the trade.

• Must have worked under the supervision of a master craftsman for at least one year after completing the journeyman exam.

  • If a journeyman is unable to work under the supervision of a master in their new trade within the first five years after the trade is certified, two years of work in the trade will be considered equivalent to work under a master. The District Commissioner shall allow the relevant crafts association, such as the National Association of Masters and Journeymen, to express their opinion on whether such work is available. The same applies to trades where no master is practicing or where the journeyman demonstrably has no opportunity to work under a master's supervision for other reasons.

• Must have completed a master craftsman exam in the trade from a master school.

• Must be of legal age.

• Must have control of their own estate.

• Must meet all other conditions set forth in the Handicrafts Act.

Application Process

Supporting Documents

To apply for a master craftsman certificate, the following documents must be submitted in electronic form:

• Journeyman certificate – submitted as a PDF file with the application.

• Master school diploma – submitted as a PDF file with the application.

• Certificate of work hours from the supervising master – the supervising master must complete this form. They can sign it electronically or print, sign, and submit it to the relevant District Commissioner.

• Certificate of control of one's estate to prove the applicant has control of their own estate. This is obtained automatically with the applicant's permission.

Process

The District Commissioner will contact the applicant once all documents have been received.
The master craftsman certificate can be collected unfilled at the District Commissioner's office and the fee paid.
The applicant is responsible for having the text calligraphed onto the certificate. Afterward, the certificate must be brought to the District Commissioner for signing. The District Commissioner will then keep a photocopy of the certificate for records.

Reissuing of Master Craftsman Certificates

A master craftsman certificate may be reissued in a certified trade that has undergone a name change, and the trade's name must comply with the current regulations. If an individual loses their master craftsman certificate, it is generally not reissued. However, the District Commissioner can provide confirmation that a master craftsman certificate was issued to the individual in the certified trade on a specific date.

Appeal Period

A decision made by the District Commissioner may be appealed to the Ministry of Industries and Innovation within three months of receiving the decision, according to the Handicrafts Act and the Administrative Procedures Act. Furthermore, the applicant may seek a court ruling under the Trade Act.