CMA France is advocating for a mandatory three-day “Entrepreneur’s Passport” training program for all new artisans to combat rising business failure rates. According to the network of Chambers of Trades and Crafts (CMA), this initiative aims to replace the voluntary “Creator’s Path” with a compulsory curriculum covering essential financial and legal management, following record-breaking business insolvency figures in 2025.
Why is the CMA proposing a mandatory passport?
The proposal responds to a surge in business failures. Data from the December 2025 ISM-MAAF barometer shows that while 2024 saw 280,000 new artisanal businesses launched, the following year recorded over 40,000 insolvencies—a 3% increase over 2024. According to CMA France president Joël Fourny, many of these failures stem from a lack of market research and financial preparation before the launch. The network argues that the 2020 repeal of the mandatory Stage Préalable à l’Installation (SPI) created a knowledge gap that currently leaves new micro-entrepreneurs, who make up 77% of new structures, particularly vulnerable.
What would the new training cover?
The proposed “Entrepreneur’s Passport” focuses on the technical side of business survival. The curriculum includes six core modules: cost-price calculation, pricing strategy, financial analysis, legal status selection, break-even point assessment, and professional liability requirements. CMA France emphasizes that while technical craftsmanship is the foundation of an artisan’s work, it does not guarantee business viability. The organization notes that in 2025, the Siagi (mutual guarantee company for small businesses) reported that one-quarter of entrepreneurs lacked basic financial management skills.
In 2025, only 13,000 people opted to take the CMA’s voluntary “Creator’s Path” training. The CMA argues that because this training is currently optional, it fails to reach the majority of the 280,000 annual new entrants who need it most.
How does this impact the artisan economy?
The shift from voluntary to mandatory training marks a strategic pivot in how the CMA views its role in the French economy. By requiring the passport, the organization aims to secure the “vitality of territories” by protecting the survival of small businesses. When a business fails, it results in a loss of local employment and specialized skills. The CMA characterizes this proposed training not as a hurdle, but as a “collective investment” intended to stabilize the artisanal sector against the high volatility currently observed in the micro-enterprise segment.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Entrepreneur’s Passport currently law?
No. It is a proposal from the CMA network to policymakers to re-introduce a mandatory training requirement for new artisans.
Who would be required to take the training?
The CMA intends the training for all project leaders and individuals planning to start or take over an artisanal business.
What happened to the previous mandatory training?
The mandatory Stage Préalable à l’Installation (SPI) was removed in 2020, leading to the current reliance on voluntary modules like the “Creator’s Path.”
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