How to verify RGE tradesperson
To check that a tradesperson is RGE-certified (the French qualification required for subsidised energy-renovation work), look them up on the official register at france-renov.gouv.fr. Enter the company name or its registration number (SIRET). If they do not appear, or if their certificate has expired, they cannot give you access to MaPrimeRénov', CEE, or the éco-PTZ. When an architect selects companies for a project, checking qualifications is a routine part of their assignment (article 2.2 of the Ordre des Architectes standard contracts).
Why verification is a professional step, not an optional one
In the Ordre des Architectes standard contracts, selecting the companies is a full part of the assignment in its own right (article 2.2). The architect checks qualifications, insurance, and references before recommending a tradesperson to the project owner (maître d'ouvrage). It is not a bonus: it is a professional duty.
Without an architect, that responsibility falls entirely on the homeowner. RGE certification is the first thing to check for any energy-renovation project, because it determines access to public subsidies (MaPrimeRénov', CEE, the éco-PTZ, and the reduced 5.5% VAT rate).
Platforms like Mastros automate this check: company registration (SIRET), ten-year (décennale) and professional liability (RC Pro) insurance, and RGE certifications. The homeowner does not need to do the legwork, but keeps the final decision: they are the one who chooses their tradesperson.
How to verify in three steps
Step 1 : Check the official France Rénov' register.
Go to france-renov.gouv.fr. It is the only official register. Enter the name, the SIRET, or the postcode.
Step 2 : Check the areas of competence.
An RGE tradesperson is not certified for every kind of work. The certification covers specific areas: insulation, heating, ventilation, joinery. Check that it matches your project.
Step 3 : Ask for the certificate.
The certificate names the issuing body (Qualibat, Qualit'EnR, Qualifelec, Certibat), the areas it covers, and the expiry date. Certification is renewed every four years.
The certifying bodies
| Areas | Check at | |
|---|---|---|
| Qualibat | Building, insulation, joinery | qualibat.com |
| Qualit'EnR | Heat pumps, solar, wood energy | qualit-enr.org |
| Qualifelec | Electrics, EV charging points | qualifelec.fr |
| Certibat | Whole-home renovation | certibat.fr |
Warning signs
Refusing to provide the certificate. A certified tradesperson has no reason to refuse.
An expired certificate. Certification lasts four years. An expired certificate means the renewal audit was not passed.
An area that does not match. An RGE plumber and heating engineer is not certified for loft insulation.
A changed SIRET. Certification is tied to the SIRET. If the tradesperson has set up a new company, the old certification no longer applies.
An abnormally low price. An RGE tradesperson has training, insurance, and inspection obligations. A quote 40% cheaper than a certified competitor deserves a second look.
FAQ
Can you get MaPrimeRénov' without an RGE tradesperson?
No, not for insulation, heating, and window work. RGE certification is mandatory.
What should you do if a tradesperson claims to be RGE but does not appear on the register?
Refuse to sign the quote. Report it at signal.conso.gouv.fr. Falsely claiming RGE certification is punishable by law.
Does Mastros check RGE certifications?
Yes. Mastros automatically checks the SIRET, the insurance, and the certifications of every listed tradesperson. But you are the one who chooses your tradesperson: the platform provides the verification tools, not the decision.
Sources
- France Rénov', RGE register : — https://france-renov.gouv.fr/
- OrOrdre des Architectes, standard contracts article 2.2 (selecting the companies) : — https://www.architectes.org/
- ADEME, RGE certification : — https://www.ademe.fr/
- DGCCRF, reporting: signal : — https://signal.conso.gouv.fr/