Obtain a management certificate by sitting the Central Jury exam

Anyone who does not have basic management knowledge can sit the Central Jury exam. Please note, the company manager is not the sole person who can bring these skills to your business. A third party linked to the business can also do this.

For a self-employed person (natural person), this person can be:

• A spouse;
• A legal cohabitant;
• A partner who has been cohabiting with the individual for at least 6 months;
• A self-employed assistant, parent or relative up to the third degree;
• An employee with a permanent employment contract.

For a business (legal entity), this person can be:

• The management body (e.g.: a manager of a limited liability company or a managing director of a public limited company);
• A company director (e.g.: an active partner in a limited liability company or a director of a public limited company);
• An employee with a permanent employment contract.

If in doubt, contact a Business Counter. They'll be able to tell you if you have the required skills for your activity.

To pass the exam, you must score at least 50%.

If you pass, you will receive a diploma attesting to your basic management skills. You can then complete your administrative procedures with your business counter to start up your business. 

Register for an exam

Registration for the management exam is no longer possible as of 26 August 2025.

From 1 October 2025, aspiring entrepreneurs in Wallonia will no longer be required to demonstrate basic management skills in order to become self-employed.

Find out more 

Preparing for the exam

The Central Jury is not responsible for preparing candidates for the exams.

To find what content the exam covers and to consult the syllabus, go to the Management Exam page.

Sitting the exam

Exams take place exclusively in person on our premises, at the following address:

SPW Economy, Employment and Research

Boulevard Cauchy 43

B-5000 NAMUR

The basic management exam is a 30-question computerised test.

Receiving your results

To pass the exam, you must score at least 50%. You will receive your results immediately after the test. If you pass, you'll receive your certificate directly from us. 

The registration fee is €35.

This cannot be refunded under any circumstances. (Article 10 §2 of the Royal Decree of 13/02/2007).

If you miss the exam for which you were invited, you will have to re-register and pay the €35 registration fee again in order to take part in a new exam session.

Sending out invitations

Invitations to the exams are sent out in chronological order of requests, at least 15 days before the exam.

Notification of results

You will receive your results immediately after the test.

Retaking a failed exam

Candidates who fail the professional skills exam must wait at least three months before taking a new exam for the same activity.

• 10 FEVRIER 1998. - Loi-programme pour la promotion de l'entreprise indépendante
• 29 JANVIER 2007. - Arrêté royal relatif à la capacité professionnelle pour l'exercice des activités indépendantes dans les métiers de la construction et de l'électrotechnique, ainsi que de l'entreprise générale
• 26 JUIN 2002. - Loi relative à l'instauration du Conseil d'Etablissement
• 29 MARS 2004. - Arrêté royal relatif au Conseil d'Etablissement, instauré par la loi du 26 juin 2002

Contesting the refusal to validate your skills (decision by the Business Counter)

If accreditation is refused, you may lodge an appeal with the Conseil d’Etablissement – Place de la Wallonie 1, 5100 Jambes – within 30 days of learning of the Business Counter's refusal decision.

If the Conseil d'Etablissement confirms the Business Counter's refusal decision, you may lodge an appeal with the Council of State within 60 days of learning of the Conseil d'Etablissement's refusal decision.