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Licensing update

Update - 13 Jan 2006: A more recent update on industry consultation is also available.

10 Jun 2005: The licensing system for building practitioners is continuing to develop with work now focusing on exploring costs and benefits of proposed licence classes, setting licence standards and developing assessment processes.

The framework of the licensing system was set out in the Building Act 2004, passed in August last year.

The details of the system are being filled in over a five year period, which will lead to the licensing system being fully implemented by 30 November 2009.

The building industry has been engaged in extensive consultation since 2004 to develop the licensing system. This includes consultation on possible licence classes and what work should be restricted to licensed building practitioners.

Proposed licence classes

The Department has proposed a set of licence classes which are still in the process of being tested.

Specialist classes

There will be six specialist licence classes:

  • Carpentry
  • External plaster systems
  • Roofing
  • Brick and blocklaying
  • Concrete and steel construction supervision
  • Specialist facades

Any 'restricted building work' falling within these occupational groups will have to be carried out or supervised by a person with the appropriate licence. Restricted building work is work that requires building consent and is essential to the strength and weathertightness of the building and the safety of the occupants.

Design classes

There will be three design licence classes for people involved in building design work. 

Building site supervision classes

There will be three building site supervision licence classes. People with this licence will be responsible for supervising and signing off the integration of different elements, for example where the exterior cladding meets the roofing.

The building site supervisor will also be responsible for making sure that restricted building work is supervised or carried out by a licensed building practitioner with the appropriate specialist licence.

Building complexity

Each of the design and site supervisor licences will reflect a different level of building complexity:

  • Category one: straightforward design and construction e.g. a single storey “box” house
  • Category two: complex design and construction e.g. a set of multi-unit dwellings or more complex residential house
  • Category three: specifically designed buildings of considerable technical complexity e.g. a commercial office building.

Impact on DIY work

DIY renovators will be able to carry out any work which falls outside the restricted building work category. It is proposed that this will cover the vast majority of work currently carried out by DIY renovators in New Zealand including:

  • any work that does not require a building consent i.e. repairs and maintenance, construction of small detached buildings not for sleeping, low patios or decks
  • work on buildings which are not primarily for human occupation or public use i.e. farm buildings, garages, sheds
  • any work which is not restricted i.e. that is not critical to the strength and weathertightness of the building and the health and safety of occupants. For example, non structural plaster-board work, ceilings, architraves, skirting, coving, internal doors, non structural walls, kitchen cabinetry and bathroom work (except plumbing and electrical work), painting and decorating.

DIY renovators will also be able to carry out restricted work as long as they are supervised by a licensed building practitioner.

For DIY renovators this work may include:

  • removing a structural wall between a dining room and lounge
  • installing a new external window or door
  • designing and constructing an additional room.

Key dates

Government has considered the Department of Building and Housing’s proposed licence classes and has asked the Department to explore practical implications and the likely costs of putting these into place.

The Department will be engaging the industry in further consultation to discuss these issues.

Government will make final decisions about licence classes and restricted work after these issues have been considered. This is likely to be by the end of the year.

Under the Building Act 2004, licensing for restricted work becomes mandatory from 30 November  2009. It is intended that people will be able to apply and become licensed before that date.