Glossary
Certified energy contractor (RGE): what the certification means in France
Quick definition
RGE stands for Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement, which translates as Recognised Guarantor of the Environment. It's a quality certification scheme for contractors who carry out energy-efficiency work. In practical terms, you need an RGE-certified contractor to access most French energy subsidies, including MaPrimeRenov' and CEE.
What RGE covers
RGE is not a single certification. It's an umbrella label covering several trade-specific qualifications. Each one applies to a different type of work:
- QualiPAC: heat pump installation (air-source and ground-source)
- QualiPV: photovoltaic solar panel installation
- QualiSOL: solar thermal installation (water heating)
- Qualisol+PAC: combination qualification covering both solar thermal and heat pumps
- QUALIFELEC: electrical works, including EV charging points and certain heating systems
- Qualibat: insulation and building envelope work
A contractor who holds QualiPAC is not automatically qualified to claim subsidies for insulation work. The certification must match the type of work on the quote. This matters: if a contractor holds QualiPAC and you want both a heat pump and insulation, you may need two contractors, or one that holds multiple qualifications.
How to check
The official register is at qualirenovation.fr. You can search by contractor name, company registration number (SIRET), postcode or certification type. Always check the register directly. A contractor saying they are RGE is not enough. Certifications lapse, and some contractors continue to use outdated certificates.
When you search, check two things: that the certification is current, and that the specific qualification matches the work being quoted.
What RGE actually guarantees, and what it doesn't
RGE is a compliance certification, not a quality review. To obtain and renew it, contractors must complete specific training, pass assessments, and meet administrative requirements. A certifying body carries out periodic audits. But the certification does not mean a random inspector has visited a job and approved the workmanship.
In short: RGE tells you the contractor has the required training and is registered within the scheme. It doesn't guarantee the work will be done well. That's a separate matter, addressed by the contractor's liability insurance (decennale) and your own due diligence in checking references.
Renewal and lapses
RGE certifications must be renewed regularly, typically every four years, with an audit conducted partway through the period. Contractors who let their certification lapse remain searchable in some databases but will no longer appear as currently certified on qualirenovation.fr. Always check the expiry date.
What happens if you use a non-RGE contractor
If you hire a contractor without the relevant RGE and then try to claim MaPrimeRenov' or CEE, the application will be rejected. The work is not illegal, and there's no fine. But you will have lost the subsidy entitlement for that project. For lower-income band households, where grants can cover a substantial portion of installation costs, this is a significant financial consequence.
The application for MaPrimeRenov' asks for the contractor's RGE number at submission stage. The system will flag it if it doesn't match.
What this means in practice
Before signing a devis for any energy-related work, check the contractor's RGE status on qualirenovation.fr. Do it yourself. Don't rely on the contractor's word or a certificate printed on their letterhead. The search takes two minutes and removes any ambiguity.
Related terms
- MaPrimeRenov': the main grant scheme that requires RGE contractors
- CEE: the energy supplier subsidy scheme, which also requires RGE
- Devis: the signed quote that triggers the subsidy application process