The Chambre des Métiers et de l'Artisanat (CMA) is a French public institution that plays a central role in the French craft business ecosystem. This step in the registration process can often be complex to understand.
To help you navigate this process, here are the main questions our clients ask:
What documents can I provide to prove my qualifications?
Three types of supporting documents are accepted:
1. Professional diploma
- CAP, BEP, Bac Pro, or equivalent qualification in the trade you practice
- Foreign diploma recognized in France
- The diploma must exactly match the declared activity
- Required: Copy of diploma or certificate of qualification
2. Professional experience
- At least 3 years of practice as an employee or self-employed individual
- Required: Employer certificates, employment contracts, Kbis extract (if self-employed or business owner)
3. Qualified employee
- If the business owner is not qualified, the company can appoint a qualified full-time employee
Required: Copy of employee's diploma/experience, current employment contract or job offer, employee's ID card
I have multiple activities, but only one is a craft activity. Does my application need to go through the CMA?
Yes, if the craft activity is carried out as a primary or secondary activity, your application must go through the CMA, even if:
- The craft activity generates less revenue than your other activities
- It is complementary to a commercial or professional activity
- It represents only part of your overall business
Example: You're creating a cosmetics sales business (commercial activity) and also offer beauty treatments (regulated craft activity). Your application must then be validated by the CMA, even if your main revenue comes from sales.
☝️ Good to know: In the case of mixed activities, your business can be registered in both the national business directory (via CMA) and the commercial register.
I received my Kbis, but the CMA hasn't validated my qualifications yet. Can I start my activity?
For regulated craft activities: NO, even with a Kbis. You cannot carry out your regulated craft activity until the CMA has validated your qualifications. Since the transition to the INPI single portal, some activities may receive a provisional Kbis before CMA validation.
For commercial activities: YES, under certain conditions. You can start carrying out only the commercial activity, provided it is not linked to the regulated craft activity.
| Activity | Kbis available | CMA validated | Can you start? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craft (regulated) | ✅ | ❌ | No |
| Commercial (independent) | ✅ | ❌ | Yes |
| Commercial linked to craft | ✅ | ❌ | No |
The CMA rejected my qualification documents. What should I do?
Steps to follow:
1. Identify the reason for rejection
- The CMA sends a regularization request letter explaining the reason
- Common issues: non-compliant diploma, insufficient experience, missing/illegible documents
2. Choose a solution
Option A: Provide additional supporting documents
- More targeted diploma
- Additional proof of experience (employer certificate, contract)
Option B: Appoint a qualified employee
- Hire an employee who holds the required diploma
Provide their diploma/experience, full-time employment contract, ID card
What does the "CMA suspensive" mention on my Kbis mean?
Definition: This mention means that your application has been registered by the greffe, but the CMA has not yet validated your professional qualifications for the craft activity.
Why does this mention appear?
- You declared a regulated craft activity
- The clerk's office proceeded with provisional registration
- The CMA still needs to verify your supporting documents
What should you do?
- Contact customer service, who will send you a Kbis without the suspensive mention
- Do not start your craft activity until validation is obtained
If you have a separate commercial activity, you can start it without waiting
Why are processing times often long?
Five main reasons explain these delays:
- High volume of applications: The CMA receives thousands of requests each year
- Rigorous verification: Thorough checking of diplomas and experience certificates
- Complex administrative process: Multiple analysis stages and additional verifications
- Limited resources: Some CMAs are understaffed
- INPI coordination: Centralization via INPI can extend processing times
💡 Tip: Submit a complete and clear application from the start and respond quickly to CMA requests.
My application was sent to the CMA by mistake. What should I do?
Don't panic, here are the steps:
- Quickly contact customer service and explain that the activity is not a craft activity
- The formalities team will handle the request and can correct the registration
Check your Kbis to ensure there is no CMA-related suspensive mention
What's the difference between the CCI, CMA, and Greffe?
The Greffe (Clerk's Office of the Commercial Court):
- Central body for all commercial activities
- Handles registration in the RNE (Registre National des Entreprises - National Business Register) and issues the Kbis
- Always processes your application, even if you fall under the CMA
The CMA:
- Handles craft activities
- Verifies professional qualifications
- Validates the application before registration
The CCI (Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie - Chamber of Commerce and Industry):
- Does not intervene in processing formalities
- Support role: advice, training, aid programs
Does not handle any INPI applications
Who decides if my application goes to the CMA?
The INPI platform itself automatically routes your application based on the declared activity:
- The formalities specialist declares your activities via the questionnaire
- INPI identifies whether these activities fall under:
- A craft sector → your application is sent to the CMA
- Only the commercial sector → your application is sent to the clerk's office of the commercial court
☝️ Important: Qonto does not manually choose the competent body. Even a single craft activity, among others, is enough to trigger sending the application to the CMA.