Cleaning Business Licence

Get guidance on requirements and steps for your Cleaning Business Licence.

Who Needs a Cleaning Business Licence

Any business providing general cleaning services at premises or public places must obtain a cleaning business licence before starting work, even if cleaning is only part of its operations. Cleaning services fall under three main sub-sectors:

  • Office and Commercial
  • Food and Beverage
  • Conservancy (including public areas managed by Town Councils)


Under the Environmental Public Health Act 1987, operating without a valid licence is an offence. Penalties include fines of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both, plus an additional $1,000 per day for continuing offences.


Businesses that subcontract cleaning work to licensed providers must also hold a licence. From 1 January 2024, companies supplying cleaning manpower to other cleaning businesses are likewise required to be licensed.

*Only cleaning businesses applying for renewal will need to submit proof of a cleaning contract. New applicants are not required to do so and may apply with the details of a suitably trained or experienced employee. For more details, please refer to NEA’s website.

When a licence is not needed

The Environmental Public Health (Excluded Cleaning Work) Notification 2014 specifies the types of services considered as “excluded cleaning work”. Businesses providing only these services are not required to obtain a cleaning business licence to carry out the services.
Examples of “excluded cleaning work” are:

  • Cleaning of domestic premises
  • Façade cleaning
  • Cleaning of swimming pools

Useful findings you can find below

You may apply as a:

  • Business User: A UEN-registered company/entity with Corppass.

Eligibility Requirements
Related licences to apply at External Agency
ACRA – Registration for Companies / Business


Apply on GoBusiness

In June 2021, the Tripartite Cluster for Cleaners (TCC) recommended enhanced training to deepen cleaners’ technical skills for better service quality. Core WSQ modules were identified under the Skills Framework for Environmental Services (SFw for ES). The Government accepted these mandatory training requirements to improve safety, productivity, and service delivery. From 31 December 2022, cleaning businesses must ensure all cleaners complete the required Core WSQ modules.

Table 1: Image from National Environmental Agency (NEA)

The Progressive Wage Model (PWM) helps to increase wages of workers through upgrading skills and improving productivity.

Under the PWM, employers must:

  • Pay at least the PWM wage to eligible workers for their job level.
  • Meet the PWM training requirements for eligible workers.

Benefits:

  • Developed by unions, employers, and government to uplift lower-wage workers.
  • Raises wages sustainably without harming livelihoods.
  • Workers gain clear career paths, training, and productivity improvements.
  • Businesses enjoy higher productivity.
  • Consumers benefit from better service quality.

Click here for a graphic overview of the PWM.

*Licensing Requirement

  • Customer Management (Supervise Service Operations – CLSSO)
  • Effectiveness Management (Demonstrate and apply understanding of cleaning methods and process – CLDAU)

Applicable to PWM Job Level – General Cleaner / Indoor Cleaner / Outdoor Cleaner / Healthcare Cleaner / Restroom Cleaner / Table-Top Cleaner / Dishwasher / Refuse Collector

Training Requirements are 1 Mandatory WSH Module +1 Core WSQ Module
Mandatory WSH Module – Select any one

  • Emergency Response Management Course For Cleaners (Level 2)
  • Workplace Safety and Health Practices Implementation (Comply WSHP) (Personal Safety & Hygiene)
  • WSH Culture Development Course For Cleaners (Level 2)
  • WSH Incident Investigation Course for Cleaners (Level 2)

Core WSQ Module – Select any one

  • Furniture and Furnishing Maintenance (Clean Furniture and Furnishings – CLCFF)
  • Food Shop Hygiene Maintenance (Clean Food Shops – CLCFS)
  • Public Hygiene Maintenance (Perform Cleaning Of Public Residential Estates Manual – CLCREM)
  • Vertical Surface Maintenance (Clean Vertical Surfaces Glass and Ceiling – CLCVS)
  • Customer Management (Provide quality services – CLPQS)
  • Washroom Maintenance (Perform advanced cleaning of washrooms – CLACW)
  • Horizontal Surface Maintenance (Perform Basic Cleaning Of Carpets – CLPBCC)
  • Learning and Development (Provide on-the-job training – CLPOJT)
  • Horizontal Surface Maintenance (Perform Basic Cleaning Of Hard Floor Surfaces – CLPBCHF)
  • Washroom Maintenance (Perform Basic Cleaning Of Washrooms – CLPBCW)
  • Furniture and Furnishing Maintenance (Perform Advanced Cleaning Of Carpets and Upholstery – CLACC)
  • Horizontal Surface Maintenance (Perform Advanced Cleaning Of Hard Floor Surfaces – CLACHF)
  • Robotics and Automation Application (Level 2)

Applicable to PWM Job Level – Multi-Skilled Cleaner cum Machine Operator

Training Requirements are 1 Mandatory WSH Module +1 Core WSQ Module

Mandatory WSH Module – Select any one

  • WSH Culture Development Course For Cleaners (Level 2)
  • Emergency Response Management Course For Cleaners (Level 2)
  • WSH Incident Investigation Course for Cleaners (Level 2)

Core WSQ Module – Select any one

  • Furniture and Furnishing Maintenance (Perform Advanced Cleaning Of Carpets and Upholstery – CLACC)
  • Horizontal Surface Maintenance (Perform Advanced Cleaning Of Hard Floor Surfaces – CLACHF)
  • Washroom Maintenance (Perform advanced cleaning of washrooms – CLACW)
  • Robotics and Automation Application (Level 2)
  • Effectiveness Management (Demonstrate and Apply Understanding Of Cleaning Methods and Process – CLDAU)

Applicable to PWM Job Level – Mechanical Driver

Training Requirements are 1 Mandatory WSH Module +1 Core WSQ Module

  • WSH Culture Development Course For Cleaners (Level 2)
  • WSH Incident Investigation Course For Cleaners (Level 2)
  • Emergency Response Management Course For Cleaners (Level 2)

Core WSQ Module

  • Robotics and Automation Application (Level 2)

Applicable to PWM Job Level – Supervisor

Training Requirements are 1 Mandatory WSH Module +1 Core WSQ Module

Mandatory WSH Module – Select any one

  • WSH Culture Development Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 3)
  • Workplace Safety and Health System Management (Maintain workplace safety and health policies procedures – CLMWSH)
  • Emergency Response Management Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 3)
  • WSH Incident Investigation Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 3)
  • Workplace Safety and Health Performance Management Course For Cleaning Supervisors (Level 2)

Core WSQ Module

  • Customer Management (Supervise Service Operations – CLSSO)
  • Effectiveness Management (Demonstrate and apply understanding of cleaning methods and process – CLDAU)
  • Stakeholder Management (Schedule and supervise cleaning services – CLSSCS)

Examples: Offices, schools, hospitals, medical clinics, condominiums etc

General Cleaner/ Multi Skills/ Team Leader (Level 1 & Level 2)
Choose any 1 of the WSH Modules:

  • Workplace Safety and Health Practices Implementation (Comply with Workplace Safety and Health Policies and Procedures – CLWSHO)

Any 1 of the Job Specific Modules (Level 1):

  • Horizontal Surface Maintenance (Perform basic cleaning of carpets – CLPBCC)
  • Furniture and Furnishing Maintenance (Clean furniture and furnishings – CLCFF)
  • Horizontal Surface Maintenance (Perform basic cleaning of hard floor surfaces – CLPBCHF)
  • Vertical Surface Maintenance (Clean vertical surfaces glass and ceiling – CLCVS)
  • Washroom Maintenance (Perform basic cleaning of washrooms – CLPBCW)
  • Customer Management (Provide quality services – CLPQS)

Any 1 of the Job Specific Modules (Level 2):

  • Furniture and Furnishing Maintenance (Perform advanced cleaning of carpets and upholstery – CLACC)
  • Horizontal Surface Maintenance (Perform advanced cleaning of hard floor surfaces – CLACHF)
  • Washroom Maintenance (Perform advanced cleaning of washrooms – CLACW)
  • Learning and Development (Provide on-the-job training – CLPOJT)
  • Stakeholder Management (Schedule and supervise cleaning services – CLSSCS)
  • Robotics and Automation Application (Level 2)

Supervisor (Level 2 & Level 3)

Choose any 1 of the WSH Modules:

  • Workplace Safety and Health System Management (Maintain workplace safety and health policies procedures – CLMWSH)
  • Workplace Safety and Health Performance Management Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 2)
  • WSH Incident Investigation Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 3)
  • WSH Culture Development Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 3)
  • Emergency Response Management Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 3)

Choose 1 of the Job Specific Modules:

  • Customer Management (Supervise Service Operations – CLSSO)
  • Effectiveness Management (Demonstrate and apply understanding of cleaning methods and process – CLDAU)

Examples: Hawker centres, food courts, restaurants etc

General Cleaner/ Multi Skills/ Team Leader (Level 1 & Level 2)
Choose any 1 of the WSH Modules:

  • Workplace Safety and Health Practices Implementation (Comply with Workplace Safety and Health Policies and Procedures – CLWSHO)

Any 1 of the Job Specific Modules (Level 1):

  • Horizontal Surface Maintenance (Perform basic cleaning of carpets – CLPBCC)
  • Furniture and Furnishing Maintenance (Clean furniture and furnishings – CLCFF)
  • Horizontal Surface Maintenance (Perform basic cleaning of hard floor surfaces – CLPBCHF)
  • Vertical Surface Maintenance (Clean vertical surfaces glass and ceiling – CLCVS)
  • Washroom Maintenance (Perform basic cleaning of washrooms – CLPBCW)
  • Customer Management (Provide quality services – CLPQS)

Any 1 of the Job Specific Modules (Level 2):

  • Furniture and Furnishing Maintenance (Perform advanced cleaning of carpets and upholstery – CLACC)
  • Horizontal Surface Maintenance (Perform advanced cleaning of hard floor surfaces – CLACHF)
  • Washroom Maintenance (Perform advanced cleaning of washrooms – CLACW)
  • Learning and Development (Provide on-the-job training – CLPOJT)
  • Stakeholder Management (Schedule and supervise cleaning services – CLSSCS)
  • Robotics and Automation Application (Level 2)

Supervisor (Level 2 & Level 3)

Choose any 1 of the WSH Modules:

  • Workplace Safety and Health System Management (Maintain workplace safety and health policies procedures – CLMWSH)
  • Workplace Safety and Health Performance Management Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 2)
  • WSH Incident Investigation Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 3)
  • WSH Culture Development Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 3)
  • Emergency Response Management Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 3)

Choose 1 of the Job Specific Modules:

  • Customer Management (Supervise Service Operations – CLSSO)
  • Effectiveness Management (Demonstrate and apply understanding of cleaning methods and process – CLDAU)

Examples: Town councils, public cleansing etc.

General Cleaner/ Multi Skills/ Team Leader (Level 1)

Choose any 1 of the WSH Modules:

  • Workplace Safety and Health Practices Implementation (Comply with Workplace Safety and Health Policies and Procedures – CLWSHO)

Any 1 of the Modules:

  • Horizontal Surface Maintenance (Perform basic cleaning of hard floor surfaces – CLPBCHF)
  • Vertical Surface Maintenance (Clean vertical surfaces glass and ceiling – CLCVS)
  • Washroom Maintenance (Perform basic cleaning of washrooms – CLPBCW)
  • Public Hygiene Maintenance (Perform cleaning of public residential estates manual – CLCREM)
  • Customer Management (Provide quality services – CLPQS)
  • Horizontal Surface Maintenance (Perform advanced cleaning of hard floor surfaces – CLACHF)
  • Washroom Maintenance (Perform advanced cleaning of washrooms – CLACW)
  • Learning and Development (Provide on-the-job training – CLPOJT)
  • Stakeholder Management (Schedule and supervise cleaning services – CLSSCS)

Supervisor (Level 2 & Level 3)
Choose any 1 of the WSH Modules:

  • Workplace Safety and Health System Management (Maintain workplace safety and health policies procedures – CLMWSH)
  • Workplace Safety and Health Performance Management Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 2)
  • WSH Incident Investigation Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 3)
  • WSH Culture Development Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 3)
  • Emergency Response Management Course for Cleaning Supervisors (Level 3)

Choose 1 of the Job Specific Modules:

  • Customer Management (Supervise Service Operations – CLSSO)
  • Effectiveness Management (Demonstrate and apply understanding of cleaning methods and process – CLDAU)

When a licence is not needed

The Environmental Public Health (Excluded Cleaning Work) Notification 2014 specifies the types of services considered as “excluded cleaning work”. Businesses providing only these services are not required to obtain a cleaning business licence to carry out the services.
Examples of “excluded cleaning work” are:

  • Cleaning of domestic premises
  • Façade cleaning
  • Cleaning of swimming pools

Cleaning Courses You Can Explore

Core/Mandatory Environmental Cleaning Courses

(1-Day) Workplace Safety and Health Practices Implementation

Learn to identify hazards, use protective gear, follow safety procedures, and respond to emergencies for a safer workplace.

Horizontal Surface Maintenance
(Level 1)

Learn cleaning techniques, safety compliance, proper use of tools and PPE, and workplace reporting to meet NEA standards.

Provide Quality Service
– Customer Management (Level 1)

Learn to identify needs, manage requests, apply recovery, escalate issues, and improve through feedback.

Cleaning Chemical Handling Level 2

Learn to use PPE, prepare and apply cleaning chemicals correctly, store and replenish chemicals, and handle incidents according to safety guidelines.



Effectiveness Management
(DCMP Level 3)

Learn to implement work plans, monitor team performance, evaluate cleaning processes, and apply improvements for higher efficiency and compliance.

Workplace Safety and Healthy Practices Implementation Level 3
(WSH Level 3)

Learn to implement WSH management systems, conduct risk assessments, investigate incidents, and ensure compliance with legal and industry requirements.













Check out CORE & MANDATORY
Cleaning courses

Customer Management
(SSO Level 3)

Learn to plan and meet customer requirements, ensure quality service, monitor feedback, and implement strategies for continuous improvement.













For more info:

Explore cleaning courses