Article 6 of the Saudi Handicrafts and Manual Industries Law
المادة 6 من نظام الحرف والصناعات اليدوية · الفصل الثاني: القيد في السجل الوطني للحرفيين، والترخيص الحرفي
The article requires entry in the National Register of Craftspeople to obtain a craft license, makes its issuance and renewal a Commission decision, and refers the other conditions, term and types to the Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يشترط للحصول على الترخيص الحرفي أن يكون طالبه مقيدًا في السجل الوطني للحرفيين. وتحدد اللائحة الشروط الأخرى اللازمة للحصول عليه.
2- يصدر الترخيص الحرفي ويجدد بقرار من الهيئة، وفقًا لما يحدد في اللائحة.
3- تحدد اللائحة مدة الترخيص الحرفي، وأنواعه.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 6 explained in plain English
This article regulates how to obtain the craft license, which under Article 1 is the license that entitles its holder to practice a specific craft or handicraft for commercial purposes, or to trade as a main activity in handmade craft products.
Paragraph 1: conditions for obtaining it
- The condition the text states expressly: the applicant must be entered in the National Register of Craftspeople.
- The other conditions are set by the Regulations.
Entry in the Register thus becomes a necessary step for anyone who wants the craft license. Under the definitions, the Register is a database in which the data of craftspeople, their classifications, crafts, handicrafts and activities are recorded.
Paragraph 2: issuance and renewal
The license is issued and renewed by decision of the Commission (the Heritage Commission), as specified in the Regulations.
Paragraph 3: term and types
The Regulations set the term and types of the craft license; the article states neither a specific term nor specific types.
The practical sequence for someone who wants to practice a craft commercially is therefore: entry in the National Register of Craftspeople, then meeting the other conditions in the Regulations, then the Commission's decision issuing the license. Article 7 then requires craftspeople and those who trade in craft products to comply with the quality standards the Ministry adopts.
Anyone whose application is refused or who faces a problem with the license can consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases.
Practical example
Khalid wants to open a shop in Taif to sell the pottery he makes. Under this article, he must first be entered in the National Register of Craftspeople, then meet the other conditions the Regulations set, so that the craft license is issued to him by decision of the Commission for the term the Regulations set.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 6 of the Saudi Handicrafts and Manual Industries Law
Is entry in the National Register of Craftspeople required to obtain the license?
Yes. The applicant for the craft license must be entered in the National Register of Craftspeople.
How long is a craft license valid?
The Regulations set the term and types of the craft license; the article does not state them.
Who issues and renews the craft license?
It is issued and renewed by decision of the Commission, as specified in the Regulations.
More articles on National Register of Craftspeople and the Craft License
- Article 4
The article allows a craftsperson to apply for entry in the National Register of Craftspeople as the Regulations specify, and prohibits practicing a craft commercially or trading in craft products as a main activity without a Commission license.
1- للحرفي طلب القيد في السجل الوطني للحرفيين. 2- يقدم الحرفي طلب القيد في السجل الوطني للحرفيين وفق الشروط والآليات التي تحددها اللائحة. 3- لا تجوز ممارسة حرفة
- Article 16
The article refers to the Regulations the procedures for re-entry in the National Register of Craftspeople after removal, and for obtaining the craft license again after cancellation.
تحدد اللائحة إجراءات إعادة القيد في السجل الوطني للحرفيين بعد شطبه، وإجراءات إعادة الحصول على الترخيص الحرفي بعد إلغائه.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.

