Property Diagnostician

A property diagnostician (diagnostiqueur immobilier) performs the mandatory technical assessments required for real estate sales and rentals in France. These cover multiple domains including lead, asbestos, termites, gas, electricity, and energy performance (DPE), among others.

To practice, you must obtain certification from an accredited body for each diagnostic domain you wish to cover. Certifications are valid for seven years and require periodic competency assessments. For lead, DPE, and asbestos diagnostics, certifications are available "with mention" and "without mention" depending on the complexity of properties you assess. You also need professional liability insurance.

Qualifications and Certification

  • Mandatory certification: For each diagnostic area, 7-year validity
  • Without mention (asbestos, lead, electricity, gas, termites): No diploma prerequisite
  • With mention (asbestos, lead) and DPE: 3 years experience building technician/supervisor, OR post-secondary diploma 2 years minimum building techniques, OR equivalent EU/EEA skills, OR proven equivalent knowledge
  • Initial training: 5 days (with mention) or 3 days (without mention)
  • Continuing education: 2 days (with mention) or 1 day (without mention) between years 2-3 and in last year of cycle
  • Exams: Theoretical + practical for first application. Practical + documentary (minimum 5 reports) for renewal
  • Surveillance: Documentary and on-site checks during certification cycle

Professional Obligations

  • Impartiality: No link with owner/agent or companies that can perform work
  • Professional liability insurance: Minimum €300,000 per claim and €500,000 per year. For employees, subscription by employer
  • Prior certificate: Sworn statement attesting to regular situation (certified skills, insurance, impartiality)
  • Mandatory mention: "This report is prepared by a person whose skills are certified by [name and address of organization]"
  • Methodology: Specific orders by diagnostic type (lead, termites, asbestos, gas, electricity, DPE)

EU/EEA Nationals

  • Procedure: Declaration to a certification body (legally established in EU/EEA) in collaboration with French services
  • Verifications: Technical competence and French language proficiency
  • Decision: Certification without additional verification, OR submission to necessary exams/exam parts
  • Equivalence certificate: Issued after verification of information provided by declaration
  • Surveillance: On-site check within 2 years after authorization