Licensed Building PractitionersKaihanga whai raihana

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) administers the scheme.

From 1 March 2012, critical building work that is known as restricted building work, must be supervised or carried out by a licensed building practitioner (LBP).  If you are building, this will affect you.

For more information, see:

• MBIE - Building Performance website
• Build It Right - MBIE Building Performance website
• Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs)
• Restricted Building Work Guidance - MBIE Building Performance website

The LBP Scheme affects the building industry in the following ways:

• From 1 March 2012, you need to employ the services of a licensed building practitioner to either complete, or supervise restricted building work (see below).
• You need to provide a Certificate of Design Work when you apply for a building consent. 
• Before construction begins, you must supply the names of all licensed building practitioners to the Council.
• Note: You will not be able to book an inspection until the Council receives this list.
• When the project is complete, you must provide a Record of Work from each of the licensed building practitioners involved in the construction.

Restricted Building Work

Restricted building work is design or construction work that is critical to the integrity of a building.

From 1 March 2012, only licensed building practitioners will be allowed to carry out or supervise restricted building work. Therefore, a consent application that involves restricted building work will need to include the names of LBPs carrying out or supervising that work.

See section 45(1)(e) of the Building Act: Section 45(1)(e) - Building Act 2004 - NZ Legislation website

The Government defines restricted building work as that which includes the design and construction of a house or small- to medium-sized apartment, and which covers:

• primary structure (eg, foundations and framing) - to make sure the building can withstand vertical and horizontal loads
• external envelope (eg, roofing and cladding) - to make sure the building is weather-tight
• fire-safety systems (eg, sprinklers, fire alarms) - to make sure people are adequately protected from the dangers of smoke and fire.

Appropriately-licensed LBPs will be responsible for plans and specifications used in a consent application for restricted building work. See section 45(2)-(4) of the Building Act: Section 45(2)-(4) - Building Act 2004 - NZ Legislation website

For homeowners who would like more information about licensed building practitioners, see: What are Licensed Building Practitioners? - Homeowners - MBIE Building Performance website

For those in the building industry who would like more information about restricted building work, see: Build It Right - MBIE Building Performance website

Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP)

A licensed building practitioner is someone who is recorded in the register of LBPs because they have satisfied the Registrar that they meet the standards for their licence class. See section 286 of the Building Act: Section 286 - Building Act 2004 - NZ Legislation website

There are seven license classes in the LBP scheme:

• design
• site
• bricklaying and blocklaying
• carpentry
• external plastering
• foundations
• roofing

You can apply to be licensed in more than one licence class but you must be able to demonstrate that you are competent in each class you apply for.

For more information on licensing and restricted building work, see: MBIE Building Performance website

The competencies for the licence classes were developed by industry working groups. They represent the skills and knowledge that a competent person with sound experience in the building construction industry should be able to demonstrate.

The LBP scheme is for competent individuals. Companies and commercial entities cannot be licensed, but the people they employ or subcontract can apply to be licensed.

If your work is covered by one of the licence classes, this is your opportunity to have your skills and experience formally recognised.

Public Registers

If you are looking for a trade professional, you can search the public registers to find the right person for the job in your area. These registers are updated regularly by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment and the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.

Licensed Building Practitioners (LBP)

Search public register

Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers

Search Public Register

Electrical Workers

Search public register

Contact

For more information please contact the Wairoa District Council.

+64 6 838 7309
customerservices@wairoadc.govt.nz
97-103 Queen Street, Wairoa 4108
PO Box 54, Wairoa 4160