Automated CPD Submission from 1 May 2026 — Does It Apply to Your Project?

Short Answer

Automated CPD submission via SGBuildex is mandatory from 1 May 2026 for new applicable projects — specifically those with a Permit to Commence Work (PTCW) application made on or after that date.

If your project's PTCW was issued before 1 May 2026, the mandate does not apply to it — with one exception: all HDB BTO projects fall under a separate mandate from September 2026, including those already under construction.

Who needs to comply to automated CPD submission

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Singapore requires that from 1 May 2026, building works with which are subject to this mandatory submission include those which:

• Occupy a Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 5,000 m² or more
• Planning permission submitted on or after 1 November 2014
• Are new building, upgrading and A&A projects

If your project meets these conditions, automated CPD submission via SGBuildex is required. If it doesn't — for instance if your PTCW was issued before 1 May 2026 — the mandate does not apply to that project under the May deadline.

Builders will need to install and operate Biometric Authentication Systems (BAS) integrated to SGBuildex for manpower attendance taking — to enhance the reliability and efficiency in the collection of CPD. 

Does it apply to ongoing projects?

This is the most common source of confusion.

The answer is no — for most ongoing projects. The trigger is the PTCW application date, not the project’s actual start date or construction status. If your PTCW was issued before 1 May 2026, that project is not affected by the May mandate.

However, contractors who are already on an integrated BAS and have the SGBuildex connection available may choose to onboard voluntarily before the deadline. BCA is accepting voluntary registrations now via go.gov.sg/automated-cpd-registration.  

Scenario-by-scenario breakdown

HDB BTO is the exception to watch. Unlike the general May 2026 mandate — which only affect new projects going forward — the HDB BTO mandate in September 2026 applies to all active BTO projects regardless of when they started. If you have BTO projects already underway, September 2026 applies to you.

What you need to have in place

Three things must be operational before automated CPD submission can run for a project. These are not Hubble-specific — they apply regardless of which integrated BAS provider you work with.

1. An integrated Biometric Authentication System (BAS) on site Your BAS captures worker check-in and check-out data — the source of all CPD records. It must be from an integrated BAS provider connected to SGBuildex. A BAS that only exports ePSS Excel files is not sufficient for automated CPD submission.
2. CPD reporting with trade data mapped correctly Each worker must be tagged with the correct trade in BCA's streamlined trade list — now 30 categories, consolidated from the previous 150+ trades across 7 categories. Workers performing multiple functions, subcontractors, and mid-project trade changes all need to be managed. Dynamic trade editing capability matters here: you need to be able to update individual trade assignments without re-uploading your entire worker list each time.
3. A live API connection between your BAS provider and SGBuildex This is what makes submission automated. Your BAS provider handles the API connection — you don't build it yourself. Check whether your current BAS vendor has this connection in place or in progress before committing to the mandate timeline.

Builders register separately with BCA to onboard their projects with SGBuildex. Register at go.gov.sg/automated-cpd-registration. BCA will follow up with onboarding steps after registration. Factor in processing time on BCA and SGBuildex's side — this runs in parallel with your BAS provider onboarding, and both need to be completed before your first live submission. 

How long does a project onboarding take?

There are two parallel onboarding tracks that both need to be completed before your first live submission — your BAS provider's setup, and BCA's own SGBuildex onboarding process.

On the BAS provider side, Hubble's onboarding for a new project takes 30 days — covering hardware compatibility confirmation, worker list bulk import, trade mapping to the new BCA streamlined trade list, data consent signing, and a first test submission. For existing Hubble Workforce customers, this is shorter since worker and project data are already in the system. Onboarding timelines will vary by provider.

On the BCA and SGBuildex side, there is a separate registration and onboarding process that runs in parallel. After you register at go.gov.sg/automated-cpd-registration, BCA will follow up with the steps to onboard SGBuildex. Factor in their processing time when planning your overall timeline — both tracks need to be complete before automated submission can go live.

Given both timelines running in parallel, starting early gives you the buffer to handle any back-and-forth on either side without risking a late first submission.

What if your existing BAS vendor is not on the approved list?

This is a practical risk that builders with existing BAS setups need to check early. Not all BAS vendors have built or are building the SGBuildex API connection. If your current vendor is not an integrated BAS partner for SGBuildex, you will need to either:

• Switch to an integrated BAS provider before the relevant deadline, or
• Work with your vendor to confirm their SGBuildex integration roadmap and timeline

The key question to ask your current vendor: "Do you have a live SGBuildex API connection, and which projects is it currently running on?" A live pilot is a stronger indicator than a roadmap commitment.

Summary

While most ongoing projects are not affected by the May 2026 deadline, new projects and all HDB BTO projects will be impacted — the latter by the September deadline.

The practical priority is to start the onboarding process now if any of your upcoming projects will have PTCW applications from May 2026, or if you have active BTO projects heading toward the September deadline. Given the onboarding window, leaving it until May or September is a risk.

Not sure if your projects are in scope?

Talk to us. We'll go through your project portfolio, confirm which sites are affected, and walk you through what onboarding looks like for your setup.

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Related

• Automated CPD Is Coming — What BCA Is Changing from May 2026
• Hubble SGBuildex CPD Module — How It Works
• Hubble Workforce Management System