Applying to be an LBP

Application packs 

You will need to say whether you are qualified and which licence class you are applying for so that you get the right application pack. You can apply to be assessed for more than one licence class and more than one area of practice (except Site and Design licence classes).

The application packs contain an application form and a copy of Understanding the regulatory environment [PDF 1.83 MB, 55 pages].

Standard application 

You do not need to have a recognised qualification to apply. Applicants without a recognised qualification will need to:

• provide a work history and information about their recent projects
• supply details of referees who can confirm recent work experience and technical skills
• demonstrate current regulatory knowledge.

Qualified applicants 

If you have a recognised qualification, you can apply using the streamlined application process for Site and trade licences.

Applicants with a recognised qualification will need to:

• provide a certified copy of their recognised qualification
• supply details of referees who can confirm recent work experience and technical skills
• demonstrate current regulatory knowledge

The following qualifications are recognised as at April 2010. These are reviewed yearly, so check www.dbh.govt.nz/lbp-rules-2007-recognised-qualifications or call the Department on 0800 60 60 50 for an up-to-date list of qualifications

Licence class	Area of practice	Recognised qualification
Site	Site area of practice 1	National Certificate in Construction (Leading Hand) (Level 4) New Zealand Certificate in Building Advanced Trade Certificate in Capentry
	Site area of practice 2	New Zealand Certificate in Building National Certificate in Construction (Supervisor) (Level 5) National Diploma in Construction Management (Level 6) Advanced Trade Certificate in Carpentry
	Site area of practice 3	New Zealand Certificate in Building National Diploma in Construction Management (Level 6)
Bricklaying and Blocklaying	Veneer	National Certificate in Brick and Block Laying (Level 4) Trade Certificate in Bricklaying  Advanced Trade Certificate in Bricklaying  Certificate of Due Completion of Apprenticeship (Bricklaying) National Certificate in Masonry (Bricklaying) (Level 3) - Brick and Block Laying
	Structural Masonry	National Certificate in Brick and Block Laying (Level 4) National Certificate in Masonry (Bricklaying) (Level 3) - Brick and Block Laying
Carpentry		Certificate of Due Completion of Apprenticeship (Carpentry or Carpentry Joinery) National Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4) National Certificate in Carpentry (Advanced) (Level 4) Trade Certificate in Carpentry Advanced Trade Certificate in Carpentry New Zealand Certificate in Building
External Plastering	Solid Plastering	National Certificate in Solid Plastering (Level 4) Trade Certificate in Solid Plastering Advanced Trade Certificate in Solid Plastering Certificate of Due Completion of Apprenticeship (Solid Plastering)
	Proprietary Plaster Cladding Systems	National Certificate in Proprietary Plastering Cladding Systems (Level 4) - Rebated Fibre Cement National Certificate in Proprietary Plastering Cladding Systems (Level 4) - Lightweight Fibre Cement National Certificate in Proprietary Plastering Cladding Systems (Level 4) - External Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFS)
Roofing	Concrete or Clay Tile Roof	National Certificate in Roofing (Installer) (Level 4) - Concrete Roof Tiles
	Profiled Metal Roof and/or Wall Cladding	National Certificate in Roofing (Installer) (Level 4) - Metal Roof and Wall Cladding  National Certificate in Plumbing
	Metal Tile Roof	National Certificate in Roofing (Installer) (Level 4) - Metal Roof Tiles
	Roof Membrane	National Certificate in Roofing (Installer) (Level 4) - Roof Membrane
	Torch on Roof Membrane	National Certificate in Roofing (Installer) (Level 4) - Torch on Roof Membrane
	Liquid Membrane Roof	National Certificate in Roofing (Installer) (Level 4) - Liquid Roof Membrane
	Shingle or Slate Roof	National Certificate in Roofing (Installer) (Level 4) - Roof Shingle

The streamlined qualification process is not available for:

• Design applicants because they need face-to-face interviews
• Foundations applicants because no Foundations qualifications are currently recognised.  

The application forms

Your application pack will ask for two types of information:

• Essential evidence to demonstrate your work in the industry and your competence in the class you are applying to be licensed in, and
• Supporting evidence.

Essential evidence includes:

• your work history (like a CV) showing the work you have done in the building and construction industry
• a record of selected projects (and a portfolio of work for Design applicants) that demonstrates your competence and the type of work you do
• contact details of referees who can verify your competence in the projects you have selected.

Support evidence may include:

• relevant qualifications
• industry organisation membership
• recent learning (eg, trade supplier events, industry seminars, conferences or trade shows).

If you can show you hold or have recently started a relevant qualification, such as a trade certificate, technical or academic qualification, this will be good supporting evidence for your application. Overseas qualifications must be verified by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Regulatory environment 

All applicants will need to demonstrate relevant knowledge of the regulatory environment of the building and construction industry.

Your application pack contains the booklet Understanding the regulatory environment, which covers the information you need.  You need to read the booklet. Your assessor will ask you some questions about information in it.

How will I be assessed?

A team of experienced assessors with design and building industry backgrounds assess applications. Your application will be assessed by someone with extensive knowledge of your licence class.

The assessor will consider whether your application demonstrates on the whole that you have the practical experience, skills and knowledge to meet the standard of competence for the licence class and area of practice you are applying to be assessed in.

Qualified trade and site applicants:

The assessor will:

• contact your referees to confirm the work in your selected projects was done competently
• contact you and ask some questions about the regulatory environment.

Trade and site applicants without recognised qualifications:

The assessor will:

• review your work history and selected project records
• contact your referees to confirm the work in your selected projects was done competently
• contact you and ask some questions about the regulatory environment.

The assessor will recommend a face-to-face interview if they do not have enough evidence to make a recommendation about your application.

You will be contacted, and an assessor will come to you on site.  There is a separate charge for this face-to-face interview, so think carefully about the information you provide in your application before you submit it. You can phone the contact centre on 0800 60 60 50 for help.

Design applicants:

The assessor will:

• review your work history and selected project records
• contact your referees to confirm the work in your selected projects was done competently
• contact you to arrange a face-to-face interview to discuss your portfolio of work.
  

What if there is a conflict of interest?

Assessors are asked to declare any conflict of interest for each application they assess. A conflict of interest could arise, for example, if the assessor knows you or is in direct business or professional competition with you.

Similarly, you can ask for another assessor if you identify a conflict of interest. You will not be able to choose who you want but you will be given a list of available assessors so you can identify any conflicts of interest.

Assessor's recommendations 

After considering all the information, the assessor will make a recommendation to the Registrar of Licensed Building Practitioners about whether you meet the minimum standard of competence.

If the Registrar is satisfied that you should be licensed, they will:

• send you a letter stating you are now licensed, plus a welcome pack with information about continued licensing
• issue your ID card, which includes your photograph, your unique LBP number and your licence class and areas of practice
• include your name and details in the register of licensed building practitioners at www.dbh.govt.nz/lbp-register

What if my application is declined?

If the assessor recommends to the Registrar that you do not meet the relevant standard, the Registrar may decide not to licence you.

Your assessor may however recommend to the Registrar that you be licensed in a different or additional area of practice. For example, if you applied to be assessed in Site area of practice 2, but the assessor determined your competencies were more aligned to Site area of practice 1.

You will receive a letter explaining why your application was declined, and how you can appeal to the Building Practitioners Board.

If the Board upholds the Registrar’s decision, you can still re-apply when you feel you can demonstrate that you meet the relevant standard of competence. You may also apply to the District Court if you are dissatisfied with the Board’s decision.

The Registrar can decline your application without an assessment if your registration or licence has been suspended or cancelled for disciplinary reasons under the Building Act or from any other similar occupational registration schemes.

LBP ID card and the LBP register

Once you are licensed, the Registrar will issue you with an LBP identification card. This card will show your licence class and areas of practice. This information will also be displayed on the LBP register at www.dbh.govt.nz/lbp-register

Staying licensed

What are my responsibilities as an LBP?

Once you are licensed, you must:

• work within the scope of your competence
• keep your details on the LBP register up-to-date
• have a current identification card
• reply to the Registrar’s annual contact with you
• pay the annual fee and board levy
• demonstrate your current competence by:
• continuing to practise in a relevant field, and
• undertaking skills maintenance to keep your skills and knowledge current.

Continuing to practise in the industry

The Registrar will contact you every year to confirm that you are still working in a relevant role and that you want to remain licensed.

You may ask the Registrar to suspend your licence for a period if you are not currently working in the industry.  The Registrar may need to assess your current competence when you want to revive your licensing if you have missed the normal two-yearly skills maintenance requirements.

Skills maintenance

To remain licensed, you will need to show you are keeping up with changes in the building construction sector. You can choose the type and style of activities that best suit your needs and the requirements of your licence class. The activities you choose need to inform you about things such as changes in the Building Code, building materials and design technologies, for example:

• reading specific information
• attending short courses
• trade sessions or conferences
• on-the-job training
• formal study
• supervising an apprentice or trainee.

To help with your skills maintenance the Registrar has approved a list of activities that gain points, visit www.dbh.govt.nz/lbp-approved-activities-by-registrar  See www.dbh.govt.nz/lbp-skills-maintenance for more information about the skills maintenance requirements and how to record your activities.

Complaints

Once you become an LBP, complaints about your competence can be made to the Building Practitioners Board. The Board will consider the information about the complaint, including talking with you, and then decide whether to investigate further, for example, by holding a hearing.

If a complaint against you is upheld, the Board can impose penalties including censure, fines, suspension, cancellation, or limiting the scope of your licence. You must abide by any disciplinary measures if you want to remain licensed.