Licensing Update
Issue 11 - November 2008
Welcome to the eleventh issue of the Department of Building and Housing’s Licensing Update, keeping you up to date on developments with the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme.
In this issue we cover:
We also answer some of the interesting questions you’ve been asking us over the last couple of months. Please keep them coming.
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Launch of the new licensing classes
On November 1, licensing opened for roofers, bricklayers and blocklayers, and external plasterers.
The three new classes are the latest additions to the licensing scheme and mean that there are now 10 classes for practitioners.
Promotion of the new classes has included new publications that explain licensing for roofers, bricklayers and blocklayers, and external plasterers, and working with trade groups to inform their members.
Application forms for the new classes are available on the Departments’ website, but it is easy to ring the licensing helpline on 0800 60 60 50 to request a pack.
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New publications on licensing
With the launch of the new licensing classes, the Department has begun to update it’s publications about licensing.
The key document is Is Licensing for Me? This aims to help you understand more about licensing and the different classes.
If you do not have a copy of Is Licensing for Me? already, call the helpline on 0800 60 60 50 to request a copy.
Also available are three new fact sheets for roofers, bricklayers and blocklayers, and external plasterers.
These explain licensing in brief and are a great first step for anyone interested in finding out about licensing.
If you want copies of any of these publications, simply ring 0800 60 60 50 or email info@dbh.govt.nz to request them.
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Update on the appeals and complaints processes
Appeals
Earlier this month, the Building Practitioners Board heard their second appeal.
This was from a practitioner who had applied to be licensed in Design 1 class. The Registrar declined the application on the grounds that the applicant did not meet competencies 3 and 4 - (3:Establish design briefs and scope of work and prepare preliminary design, and 4: Develop design and produce construction drawings and documentation).
More information on this appeal will be available once the Board has released its decision.
Complaints
The complaints process has now been finalised and added to the Departments’ website.
As a reminder, once you are licensed a complaint can be laid against you.
The grounds for the complaint are set out in section 317 of the Building Act 2004. Some of the reasons that a complaint can be made are if a Licensed Building Practitioner:
- has carried out or supervised building work or building inspection work in a negligent or incompetent manner
- has carried out or supervised building work or building inspection work that does not comply with a building consent
- has held himself or herself out as being licensed to carry out or supervise building work or building inspection work of a type that, at that time, he or she was not licensed to carry out or supervise.
For more details see the complaints section of the website.
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BRANZ partners with LBP
Skills maintenance (or CPD as some people know it) is a topic that the Department hears a lot about from practitioners, and while we are always working on ways to pre-approve activities, there is now a chance to gain more points and keep your skills up to date.
The industry magazine Build, which is published by BRANZ is now available free to each Licensed Building Practitioner.
To meet some of your Skills Maintenance needs, simply email info@dbh.govt.nz with your name, address and BP number.
We will pass on your details to BRANZ who will then start your free one year subscription to Build magazine.
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Approved activities available for skills maintenance
The list below covers current activities that have been approved by the Registrar and can count towards your skills maintenance requirements.
Points earned in any pre-approved activity can be claimed under the category ‘Activities pre-approved by the Registrar’ on your Record of Skills Maintenance.
There is no limit to the number of points you can claim under this section, so long as they have been pre-approved and are relevant to your licensing class.
Useful 'Skills Maintenance' links:
BRANZ
Recommendation: All licensing classes
Industry magazine packed with up-to-date advice and information. It focuses on providing solutions for everyone who earns their living from the construction sector. Features range from fire prevention, claddings, apartments, maintenance, remediation, urban design, energy efficiency, quality and affordable buildings. Also every edition includes new research findings, product appraisals and practical advice to solve problems. They are published every 2 months.
| Activity: |
Magazine - Build |
Price |
Points |
| |
Special Offer: Build Magazine - 1 year subscription (If not already a subscriber |
free |
12 per issue |
| To subscribe: |
Email info@dbh.govt.nz with your Building Practitioner number, your name and postal address. The Registrar will pass your details to BRANZ so you can receive your free magazines. |
Resene
Site 1, 2, 3, Design 1, 2, 3, Carpentry and External Plastering
Recorded version of Specifying for sustainability; demystifying systems, products and tools seminar.
Lifetime Promotions Ltd
Recommendation: All licensing classes
John Oliver has been in the building industry for over 30 years. He is presenting seminars designed to provide individuals who work in the building industry with an understanding of ALL aspects of working with brick.
| Activity |
Seminar - Brick Veneer Construction |
Price |
Points |
| |
Seminar plus "Brick Book" as course notes |
$185.63 |
4 |
| To find out more: |
Ph: 09 624 4045,
Mobile: 021 84 85 86 or
Fax: 09 624 404
website: http://www.brick-book.com
|
Carters
Recommendation: All licensing classes
Carters 'Trade Leader' newspaper is issued bi-monthly and articles can be read via the internet (during month of issue) or you can get a copy in your local Carters Branch.
| Activity |
Seminar - Brick Veneer Construction |
Price |
Points |
| |
Money Matters' article by Glenn Beuvink |
Free |
1 |
| |
Legal Matters' article by Edmund Lawler |
Free |
1 |
| To find out more: |
http://www.carters.co.nz |
Construction Marketing Services Limited (CMS)
Recommendation: All licensing classes
Networking opportunity for trade professionals where they can ask questions from the companies present, collect information and attend presentations from speakers on industry matters.
Barrier Free NZ
Recommendation: All licensing classes
A series of seminars to encourage, promote and facilitate the creation of built environments that are accessible and usable by everyone in the community including people with disabilities.
| Activity |
Seminar - Barrier Free NZ Trust |
Price |
Points |
| |
Seminar - 2 days inclusive of the following modules
- Module 1 - Experiencing the Accessible Journey
- Module 2 - The law, Access and the accessible Journey
- Module 3 - Designing the Accessible Journey
- Module 4 - Assessing the Accessible journey
|
$562.50 |
11 |
| To find out more: |
www.barrierfreenz.org.nz |
CBANZ
Recommendation: Site 1, 2, 3 and Carpentry (members of CBANZ)
Members of CBANZ who read their bi-monthly 'In-House' magazine can gain Skills Maintenance points.
| Activity |
Articles - 'In-House' magazine |
Price |
Points |
| |
Peter Degerholm articles |
Free |
1 |
| |
Geoff Hardy articles |
Free |
1 |
| To find out more: |
www.cbanz.co.nz |
BRANZ
Recommendation: All licensing classes in particular Design 1 and 2
Issues surrounding timber grading, classification and treatment are consistently high on the list of topics that come up through the BRANZ industry helpline. In this nationwide seminar suitable for most sectors of the industry the most pressing issues are identified and the latest information on them presented to attendees.
| Activity |
Seminar |
Price |
Points |
| |
Seminar - Timber |
$85.00 |
3 |
| |
Special offer: Seminar plus following publications; 'Selecting Timber', 'Timber cladding - Good Practice Guide' and 'Weathertightness Solutions' folder or CD |
$235.00 |
9 |
| To find out more: |
ww.branz.co.nz |
BRANZ
Recommendation: All licensing classes in particular Design 1, 2 and 3
Publications that cover issues around sustainability
| Activity |
Publications |
Price |
Points |
| |
Passive Design |
$39.95 |
3 |
| |
Floor Coverings |
$39.95 |
3 |
| |
Windows |
$39.95 |
3 |
| |
Energy |
$39.95 |
3 |
| |
Other series |
39.95 |
3 |
| To find out more: |
www.branz.co.nz |
BRANZ
Recommendation: All licensing classes
BRANZ bulletins contain easy to read 'good practice' guidelines
BRANZ
Recommendation: All licensing classes
'Good Practice Guide' is a reference tool for designers and specifiers, building contractors, building officials, tutors and students of construction-related disciplines.
| Activity |
Bulletins |
Price |
Points |
| |
Concrete Masonry |
$59.95 |
6 |
| |
Masonry Veneer |
49.95 |
6 |
| |
Membrane Roofing |
$49.95 |
6 |
| |
Profiled Metal Roofing |
$49.95 |
6 |
| |
Profiled Metal Roofing and Membrane Roofing |
$74.95 |
12 |
| |
Concrete Floors and Basements |
49.95 |
6 |
| |
Timber Cladding |
$49.95 |
6 |
| |
Stucco |
$49.95 |
6 |
| |
Other series |
- |
6 |
| To find out more: |
www.branz.co.nz |
Questions and answers
The following are a selection of the questions that practitioners have been raising with the Department. If you have questions about the scheme that you would like answered, you can contact us on 0800 60 60 50 or info@dbh.govt.nz
Q: Do I need to be licensed to build an extension on my own house?
A: At present you do not have to be licensed to work on your own house.
After November 2010, it is intended that there will be certain restricted building work that can only be undertaken by a licensed practitioner.
However, the government has recently agreed that owner-builders will not have to be licensed to undertake restricted building work on their own homes once this is introduced. But you would have to meet certain conditions.
You must do the work yourself, as well as own the building and be living (or intending to live) in it. You still have to apply for building consents and also sign a statutory declaration stating you did the work yourself.
This proposal will allow owner builders to work on their own homes, while still protecting future consumers as there will be a clear record of who did restricted building work on a house.
Q: Will my National Cert in Carp get me licensed?
A: Licensing is based on showing your skills and experience, not on qualifications.
Having your National Certificate in Carpentry is good supporting evidence to show that you have the skills needed to become licensed, but it is not all that is required.
To become licensed you will still need to describe some projects you have worked on recently, and get referees to explain what you did. This will allow the assessors to get a good overview of what you know and can do.
Q: Can I use the same project for my Design 1 and Site 2 application?
A: Yes, but it depends on the project. Remember, when you apply for Design and Site the assessor is looking for different information and you need to show different skills.
If you have one project that you designed, and that you also supervised the building of, then you could use that for both applications.
However, you will need to have a referee who can talk about the work you did. So in this case, you could have one project, but two different referees. One who talks about the design work, and one who talks about the supervision work.