Streamlined application (Qualified)

The streamlined application process confirms you have undertaken a formal study in New Zealand, 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 discuss relevant, recent building projects that relate to the licensing class you are applying for.

You can only submit a streamlined application if you have a New Zealand qualification that is on the list of recognised qualifications in the LBP Rules.

Rules of the Board

You can’t apply for a Design licence using a qualified practitioner application. You must use a standard (experience-based) application instead.

If you have an overseas qualification, have a qualification that is not recognised, or are applying based on your experience in the trade, you must use a standard (experience-based) application instead.

Standard application

If you hold an Australian State design or trade-related licence, please see the Australian licence holders page.

Australian licence holders

Understanding the process

Licensing assessments happen in three stages:

Administration

Our administration team will firstly ensure that your application is ‘complete’. If there is information missing, they will contact you and advise you of what you need to provide, as well as the date by which you must provide this. If you do not provide the requested information, then your application will lapse and you will have to apply again.

Once your application is complete, it will be passed to an assessor.

Assessors

Our assessor team has been selected for their design and/or building backgrounds. Most of our assessors are LBPs themselves or hold the equivalent registration or experience. Your application will be assessed by someone with an extensive knowledge of your licensing class.

An assessor will:

• Review your application form;
• Call your referees to confirm your technical competence on projects you have worked on;
• Call you and discuss your application;
• Carry out a phone-based test on your regulatory knowledge.

Once the assessor has completed your assessment, they will provide a written report to the Registrar as to whether they believe you have met the licensing competencies. The assessor will also make a recommendation to the Registrar regarding your licence.

Registrar

Once the Registrar has reviewed this report, the Registrar will make a decision regarding your licence. The Registrar may at times request some more information from you to assist in making this decision.

The Registrar will send you a written notification of their decision.

Referees

When considering your referees, you should take into consideration the following criteria:

• You are required to provide two referees.
• Your referees need to have a technical credibility i.e. they must be able to answer technical questions relevant to the work you carried out.
• Your referees must be able to talk about the specific range of the building work they observed you carry out in the last 5 years.
• Your referees need to be available to talk with your assessor.