Chimney Sweep

A chimney sweep (ramoneur) is a professional responsible for maintaining chimney flues, wood stoves, and fuel, oil, and gas installations in compliance with current regulations. They also clean fireplaces, furnaces, incinerators, boilers, ventilation ducts, and smoke evacuation systems.

This activity is regulated and requires specific professional qualifications (CAP, BEP, CTM, or BTM certificates) or three years of professional experience in the EU/EEA. The chimney sweep performs diagnostics and inspects the proper functioning of installations to prevent fire hazards and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Required Qualifications

  • Accepted diplomas: CAP or BEP (masonry, plastering, maintenance), CTM ramoneur, or BTM ramoneur certificates
  • Alternative: Three years of effective professional experience in the EU/EEA as a business manager, self-employed worker, or employee
  • EU/EEA nationals: May practice with professional qualification recognition via certificate of competence or equivalent training title
  • Good character: No prohibition on managing a business or professional practice ban under Article 131-6 of the Code pénal

Establishment Procedure

  • Registration: Contact the chambre de métiers et de l'artisanat (CMA - Chamber of Trades and Crafts) to request a professional qualification certificate
  • Processing time: The CMA has three months to issue the certificate or impose a compensation measure (adaptation period or aptitude test)
  • No response: Silence for four months is deemed acceptance of the application
  • Temporary services (LPS): Prior declaration to the CMA of the service location, with one-month response deadline
  • Appeals: Possibility of administrative appeal to the prefect or legal appeal to the administrative court within two months

Professional Obligations

  • Insurance: Professional liability insurance mandatory for self-employed professionals (optional for employees, as the employer must insure their staff)
  • Training: CAP and BEP accessible after year 9, two-year duration. BTM requires a level IV or V diploma, two-year duration
  • Training cost: Generally free, inquire with the training center
  • Effective supervision: Possibility to practice under the effective and permanent supervision of a professionally qualified person