If you carry out construction work in Malaysia, including house renovation, you need to register with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and hold a contractor registration certificate, the PPK, under the CIDB Act 1994 (Act 520). Registered contractors are listed by grade, from G1 to G7, and by category. Government works procurement uses a separate certificate, the SPKK. This guide explains how these pieces fit together, so you know what you’re looking at before you apply.
1. Who needs CIDB registration?
CIDB’s contractor guide states that all contractors need to register with CIDB and hold a PPK under Act 520. That includes renovation work: the same guide lists specialisation code B04 for house building work and B28 for house renovation work, applied for through CIDB’s online system, CIMS. CIDB’s guide puts business registration as the first step, before CIDB registration. Registering for the first time? Our separate article on new G1 registration walks through the order step by step.
2. CIDB grades G1 to G7 and categories
CIDB lists registered contractors by grade, from G1 to G7, and by category: Building, Civil Engineering, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, and Facility Management. Within a category, you apply for specialisation codes, such as B04 and B28 above. Your grade and category set the limits of your work: CIDB’s conditions state that a contractor may not undertake a project above the value of construction work set for its grade, or carry out a project outside its registered category. Which grade, category and specialisations a company is given is decided by CIDB, and CIDB states it may review a contractor’s registration grade from time to time.
3. PPK vs SPKK, and STB
| PPK | SPKK | STB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Perakuan Pendaftaran Kontraktor | Sijil Perolehan Kerja Kerajaan | Sijil Taraf Bumiputera |
| What it is | CIDB contractor registration certificate | Certificate for government works procurement | Bumiputera status certificate |
| Before you apply | — | You need to hold a PPK first | — |
| Applied for on CIMS | Yes, its own application | Yes, its own application | Yes, its own application |
Under CIDB’s circular effective 1 January 2026, contractors in grades G2 to G7 need a valid SCORE certificate (CIDB’s contractor capability assessment) with a minimum star rating to re-register (renew) their SPKK. The same circular states that suspending or withdrawing an SPKK does not affect the PPK unless separate action is taken on the PPK.
4. Applying on CIMS
CIMS has separate applications for a new PPK, a new SPKK and a new STB, with step-by-step guides on CIDB’s “How To Use” page. The new PPK guide comes in two parts: prerequisites (Pra-syarat) and the registration process (Proses Mendaftar). The application is made in your company’s name and is usually submitted by the company through its own CIMS account. Keep your login to yourself: no one helping you needs your password.
5. After you’re registered: renewal and updates
CIMS has separate applications for PPK renewal, SPKK renewal, updating your registration, and changing company details. For G2 to G7 contractors with an SPKK, keep your SCORE certificate valid before the SPKK renewal. CIMS also has an entry for CCD points applications. Our article on CIDB renewal covers PPK and SPKK renewal in more detail.
6. What to check before a grade change
A grade change is a planning decision, not just a form. Before you apply, ask:
- Is the work you plan to take on outside your current grade or category?
- Is the issue really a specialisation, rather than a grade? CIDB lists a separate application for special permission to tender outside your specialisation (Kebenaran Khas Menyertai Tender Diluar Pengkhususan).
- Do your company details need updating first?
CIDB lists these application types, among others: updating registration details (Kemaskini Maklumat Pendaftaran), updating company details (Kemaskini Maklumat Syarikat) and special permission to tender outside your specialisation. CIMS’s How To Use page has official guides for updating your registration and changing company details. Check the guide that matches your situation before you start. You can check your current grade, category and status on CIMS’s public contractor search.
7. How to check a contractor’s CIDB registration
CIDB advises homeowners to appoint contractors registered with CIDB and to check their registration on CIMS. CIDB’s public contractor search lets you look up registered contractors, including grade and whether the registration is valid. It’s also a quick way for contractors to see how their own registration appears to clients.
8. Application support and follow-up
The application is made in your company’s name, and you usually submit it yourself through your own CIMS account. We never ask for your password. Our team:
- checks CIDB’s official requirements first to work out which application fits;
- helps you organise your documents;
- reviews the application before you submit it;
- follows up on CIDB’s requests for further information until the application has an outcome.
We serve contractors nationwide, subject to CIDB’s requirements.
About approval
Registration, grades, categories and approval are decided by CIDB.
FAQ
Do renovation contractors need CIDB registration?
CIDB’s contractor guide states that all contractors need to register with CIDB and hold a PPK under Act 520, and it lists specialisation code B28 for house renovation work.
What is the difference between PPK and SPKK?
PPK is your CIDB contractor registration certificate. SPKK is a separate certificate for government works procurement, and you need to hold a PPK before applying for it.
My construction company needs to bid for government projects. What do I need?
Government works procurement uses the SPKK, applied for on CIMS. You need a PPK first. For G2 to G7 contractors, renewing an SPKK needs a valid SCORE certificate with a minimum star rating. We can review your current registration status and what you’d need next.
Can I take on work above my grade?
CIDB’s conditions state that a contractor may not undertake a project above the value set for its grade, or outside its registered category.
Who decides my grade?
CIDB, which also states it may review a contractor’s grade from time to time.
Does SPKK renewal need SCORE?
For grades G2 to G7, yes: a valid SCORE certificate with a minimum star rating.
Tell us your company type, the work you do and your current CIDB status, and we’ll help you work out what’s likely to apply and the next step.
General information based on official CIDB sources, not legal advice. Approval rests with CIDB.
Official sources (accessed 26 October 2026)
- CIDB Jom Bina Sempurna, Contractor Guide: Pematuhan Peraturan: https://www.cidb.gov.my/jombinasempurna/panduan-kontraktor/pematuhan-peraturan/
- CIDB Jom Bina Sempurna, FAQ (appointing a contractor): https://www.cidb.gov.my/jombinasempurna/soalan-lazim/apakah-cara-yang-betul-dalam-melantik-kontraktor/
- CIDB CIMS, public contractor search: https://cims.cidb.gov.my/smis/regcontractor/reglocalsearchcontractor.vbhtml
- CIDB, Pekeliling CIDB Bil 1/2025 (SPKK, effective 1 January 2026): https://www.cidb.gov.my/pekeliling-cidb-bil-1-2025/
- CIDB CIMS, How To Use: https://cims.cidb.gov.my/SMIS/regcontractor/HowToUse.vbhtml?language=1
- CIDB, Pendaftaran Kontraktor: https://www.cidb.gov.my/pendaftaran-kontraktor/