Baker-Pastry Chef

The boulanger-pâtissier registration is required for anyone who wants to open a bakery-pastry shop in France. It covers professionals who make and sell bread, pastries, and viennoiseries from scratch on their premises. If you knead, ferment, and bake on-site, this registration applies to you.

You must register with the Chambre de métiers et de l'artisanat (CMA) and hold a qualifying diploma (CAP, BEP, or equivalent) or have at least three years of professional experience. Alternatively, you can operate under the permanent supervision of a qualified person. Food hygiene training is also required.

Required Qualifications

  • Accepted diplomas: CAP (vocational certificate) in baking, vocational baccalaureate in baking, or BP (professional certificate) in baking
  • Alternative experience: 3 years of effective professional experience in the EU/EEA as a business owner, self-employed worker, or employee
  • Training: The CAP is prepared after ninth grade, lasts 2 years. The vocational baccalaureate lasts 3 years. The BP is done in 2 years after the CAP or vocational baccalaureate
  • Access: Training as a student, through apprenticeship, continuing education, professionalization contract, individual application, or VAE
  • Cost: Training is usually free

Procedure and Formalities

  • Competent authority: Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA)
  • Qualification certificate: May be requested from the CMA in case of professional experience without a diploma
  • EU/EEA nationals (LPS): Prior declaration to the CMA. Response time: 1 month. Aptitude test possible in case of substantial differences
  • EU/EEA nationals (LE): Application for professional qualification recognition certificate to the CMA. Time limit: 3 months (4 months maximum)
  • Compensation measures: Adaptation period (max 3 years) or aptitude test in case of substantial differences

Good Standing Requirements and Insurance

  • Prohibitions: Prohibition from practicing in case of ban from managing a commercial or craft business, or penalty of prohibition to practice under Article 131-6 of the Penal Code
  • Insurance: Self-employed bakers must take out professional liability insurance. For employees, the employer subscribes