Organization : Licensed Building Practitioners
Facility : Applying for Licence
Country : New Zealand
Website : http://www.lbp.govt.nz/lbp/the-board/getting-licensed/applying-for-licensing
LBP Applying for Licence
Before applying to become licensed, you should read the licensing competencies within the LBP Rules.
Related : Licensed Building Practitioners Search Public Register New Zealand : www.statusin.org/6861.html
These will identify the type of residential building work you will need to show to become licensed. The easiest way to apply to become an LBP is to apply online.
For most classes of licensing, there are three pathways to apply to become an LBP :
** Qualified application
** Standard application
** Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (TTMRA)
Qualified Application
Use the Qualified application if you hold a recognised qualification in the licensing class that you are applying for. Please refer to the list of recognised qualifications in the LBP rules.
You are unable to apply for Design licensing using this process. The Qualified application process confirms you have undertaken formal study which contributes to your ability to meet the licensing competencies.
Having a qualification does not automatically make you eligible for a license – you will also need to provide and discuss relevant, recent building projects that relate to the licensing class competencies you are applying for.
Important Note :
If you are applying using the Qualified application process you must provide a certified copy of your qualification. This means that you will need to take a photocopy and the original of your qualification to either a Justice of the Peace; solicitor; court registrar, or any person able to take a statutory declaration.
Standard Application
The standard application process is available if you are applying for Design licensing or if you do not hold a recognised qualification. It is an experience based application and requires you to provide information on your previous work history, jobs you have recently completed, and referees who can discuss what work you did on those jobs.
If you hold a recognised qualification, it may be quicker to submit a Qualified application as the process takes less time than a Standard application.
TTMRA
A person holding an Australian State design or trade related licence can apply for New Zealand licensing under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (TTMRA). This works on the basis that an Australian State builder’s licence is equivalent to licensing under the New Zealand Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) scheme.
Why Get Licensed?
The licensed building practitioner scheme was established under the Building Act 2004. The Act advises that the purpose of licensing is :
** To assess and record building practitioners as having certain skills and knowledge relevant to building work; and
** To licence building practitioners so that, in regard to restricted building work, licensed building practitioners can carry it out or supervise it.
Obtaining licensing status shows the public and potential clients that you meet a minimum standard of competency in your licensed area and it enables you to carry out or supervise restricted building work (RBW).
It is an offence with a fine of up to $20,000 for a building practitioner to carry out RBW unless they or someone supervising their work is appropriately licensed.