Is licensing for me?
What is the Licensed Building Practitioner scheme?
New Zealand's licensing scheme for the building industry was launched in November 2007. If your work relates to one of the licensing classes being introduced, this is an opportunity to have your skills and experience formally recognised.
The Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme will give you the recognition that plumbers, electrical workers, registered architects and chartered engineers, already have through their registration schemes.
Licensing promotes, recognises and supports professional skills and behaviour in the building industry.
What are the licensing classes?
Licence clases in the Licensed Bulding Pracititioner Scheme are based on specific roles or occupations that are crucial to a building's performance.
You can apply to be licensed in more than one class if you can demonstrate that you can meet the standard of competence for each class you apply for.
Do I have to be licensed?
The Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme is voluntary — being licensed is a personal and business choice for people with the skills and experience to meet the relevant licence class standards.
However, from March 2012, work that is critical to the integrity of a house or small-medium sized apartment building will have to be supervised or carried out by a licensed building practitioner.
'Restricted building work', as it will be known, will apply to the design and construction of:
- the primary structure – foundations and framing – to ensure the building can withstand vertical and horizontal loads
- external moisture management systems (eg, the roof and cladding), to ensure the building is weathertight
- it will also apply to the design of active fire safety systems in small-medium sized apartments.
If you are not licensed by March 2012, any restricted building work you carry out will have to be supervised by someone who is licensed.
If you are thinking about applying to be licensed read Is licensing for me? to help you decide whether your skills, knowledge and experience fit the requirements.
The licence class standards have been developed by industry working groups, and represent the skills and knowledge that a competent person with sound experience in the building and construction industry should be able to demonstrate.
Note: Licensing is for individuals, not for companies or organisations.
How will I benefit from being licensed?
There will be a number of personal and business benefits if you are licensed.
- You will be formally recognised as competent and experienced in your chosen field. This is similar to the recognition that plumbers, electrical workers, registered architects and chartered engineers already have through their registration systems.
- You will be able to use your licensed practitioner status as a personal ‘mark of quality’ in your work.
- You will be listed on a public register so future clients or employers can see your licensing status.
- You will be supported by an advertising and promotional programme to the New Zealand public.
- This will focus on promoting the public register.
Which licensing class(es) should I apply to be licensed in?
Trade classes
There are four trade classes. They cover specific trades in the building and construction industry. They are: