Licensing update
Issue 16 - April 2010
Newsletter for the Licensed Building Practitioners (LBP) scheme.
Further streamlining of the LBP scheme started in 1 April, complementing the streamlining for qualified builders and trades people announced in February. The Government's plan for streamlining licensing is now complete.
In this issue we cover:
Simplified building categories
New building categories have been defined following feedback from the building sector indicating that the old building categories were too complex, and insufficiently aligned with business practice.
- Category 1: Single household dwellings with low- or medium-risk envelope design.
- Category 2: Single household dwellings with high-risk envelope design, or other buildings with a building height* less than 10 m.
- Category 3: Buildings 10 m or greater in building height*, except single household dwellings.
More information and examples are available here »
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Single Site, single Design classes
Following industry feedback, a single Site and a single Design licence have been introduced. This means LBPs can gradually lift their skills and take on bigger work, without having to worry about working outside their licence or getting a new one. However, LBPs must only undertake work they are competent to do.
The Site and Design licences each have three areas of practice. Applicants can choose to be assessed where their skills, knowledge and experience best fit. The areas of practice also indicate the type of work an LBP does.
| Site
area of practice
|
Scope of work |
| 1 |
Coordinate and oversee the construction or alteration of Category 1 buildings |
| 2 |
Coordinate and oversee the construction or alteration of Category 1, 2 and 3 buildings |
| 3 |
Manage the construction or alteration of Category 1, 2 and 3 buildings |
| Design
area of practice
|
Scope of work |
| 1 |
Design Category 1 buildings |
| 2 |
Design Category 1 and 2 buildings |
| 3 |
Design Category 1, 2 and 3 buildings |
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New Foundations class
A new Foundations licence has been introduced. Trades people who do foundations work on a day-to-day basis can now apply to be licensed. Previously, if you wanted an LBP to do foundations work, for example, after relocating a house, carpentry was the only relevant class.
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Simplified application forms
The application forms have been simplified. There are fewer forms, with fewer pages, and they are easier to complete.
Costs that outweighed the benefits of some requirements have now been removed. For example, the number of referees is down from three to two in some licence classes, and the referees no longer need to sign the form. And bricklayers, blocklayers, external plasterers and roofing applicants no longer need to send in photos of their projects.
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Update your LBP details online
The LBP Register has been improved to allow LBPs to maintain their personal details, update their skills maintenance records and renew their licences online. Consumers can also see if the person they are dealing with is licensed. Your activation code and instructions will soon be sent to you.
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Apprentice of the Year
Prizes totalling $12,000 are up for grabs as the competition for talented carpentry apprentices opens for Apprentice of the Year.
Backed by the Department, Apprentice of the Year recognises the talent, skill and drive of carpentry apprentices, and raises awareness of career opportunities in the sector.
Katrina Bach, the Department’s Chief Executive says, “We are committed to working with the industry to achieve a well-performing, professional building and housing sector with the capability and capacity to do a good job. The Apprentice of the Year competition supports this key objective."
Entries are open until 30 June 2010. For more information, go to the Registered Master Builders website
, the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation website
or pop into your local Carters store.
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Skills maintenance
To remain licensed, LBPs need to show they are keeping up with the changing industry. Skills maintenance is about staying on top of your game, helping you work more effectively and improve workplace safety. There are many options for activities that suit your needs and the requirements of your licence class. The Registrar also approves certain activities.
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Frequently asked questions
More information about the LBP streamlining is available. Or contact us on 0800 60 60 50 or info@dbh.govt.nz
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*Building height means the vertical distance between the upper surfaces of the floors of the building’s lowest and highest storeys.
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