Licensed building practitioners (LBP)
A licensed building practitioner has been assessed as competent to carry out building work essential to the structure or weathertightness of residential buildings (restricted building work), and is recorded in the register of LBPs (the LBP scheme) because they have satisfied the Registrar that they meet the standards for their class. See section 286 of the Building Act 2004.
Professional engineers, architects, plumbers and gasfitters are also treated as LBPs and can carry out some restricted building work.
Licensed building practitioners' scheme
There are seven licence classes in the LBP scheme:
- design
- site
- bricklaying and blocklaying
- carpentry
- external plastering
- foundations
- roofing
You can apply to be licensed in more than one licence class but you must be able to demonstrate that you are competent in each class you apply for.
The LBP scheme is administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment. The scheme promotes, recognises and supports professional skills and behaviour in the building construction industry.
To check if your builder/contractor is currently licensed under the LBP scheme, search the Licensed Building Practitioners Public Register by their name.
For more information on licensing and restricted building work, see the Licensed building practitioners website.