If you carry out or supervise restricted building work (RBW) in New Zealand, you must be a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) under the Building Act 2004. This guide explains who needs a licence, the seven licence classes, how to verify a licence, owner‑builder exemptions, and the serious consequences of working without one. It is written for NZ staff and contractors who need plain‑English, legally accurate information.
Key rule: From 1 March 2012, all restricted building work on residential dwellings (houses, townhouses, apartments up to 3 storeys) must be carried out or supervised by an LBP. This applies to work that is critical to the building’s structural integrity or weathertightness.
Restricted building work is defined in section 7 of the Building Act 2004. It covers design and construction work that, if done incorrectly, could affect the building’s structural performance or weathertightness. Examples include:
RBW applies only to residential buildings (houses, townhouses, apartments up to 3 storeys). Commercial and multi‑storey residential buildings (4+ storeys) are not covered by the LBP scheme for RBW, but other licensing may apply.
The LBP scheme has seven licence classes, each covering a specific area of work. You must hold the correct class for the work you do or supervise.
| Class | Scope of work |
|---|---|
| 1. Design | Prepare plans and specifications for RBW (e.g., structural design, weathertightness detailing). |
| 2. Site 1 – Foundations | Concrete foundations, slab‑on‑ground, pile foundations, and related ground‑work. |
| 3. Site 2 – Framing | Timber or steel framing, trusses, bracing, and structural connections. |
| 4. Site 3 – Roofing | Roof cladding, flashings, and roof structure (excluding truss design). |
| 5. Site 4 – External Plastering | Solid plaster, stucco, and EIFS (external insulation finishing systems). |
| 6. Site 5 – Brick and Blocklaying | Brick veneer, concrete block walls, and masonry veneer. |
| 7. Carpentry | General carpentry covering all RBW (foundations, framing, roofing, cladding, windows, doors). |
Most residential builders hold the Carpentry licence because it covers the broadest scope. Designers need the Design class. Specialist trades (e.g., roofers, plasterers) can hold a site‑specific class.
Warning: If you carry out RBW without a licence (or without supervision by a licensed person), you can be fined up to $20,000 for an individual and $50,000 for a company. You may also be ordered to rectify the work at your own cost. Repeat offences can lead to prosecution under the Building Act 2004.
Before hiring a builder or designer, always check their licence status. Use the official LBP Register on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) website:
You can also call MBIE’s LBP helpline on 0800 60 60 50. Employers and project managers should verify licences at the start of every project and keep a record.
If you own the property and intend to live in it, you may be exempt from the LBP requirement for restricted building work — but only if you meet strict conditions under section 84 of the Building Act 2004.
Key rule: The owner‑builder exemption does not apply to design work. If you design your own house, you still need a Design LBP unless the design is very simple (e.g., a basic shed). Always check with your council.
Working without a licence (or employing an unlicensed person to do RBW) carries serious penalties:
If you are unsure whether a job requires an LBP, contact your local council building control team or MBIE for guidance.
Warning: Even if you hold a licence, you must only carry out work within the scope of your licence class. For example, a Site 3 (Roofing) licence holder cannot do framing work. Doing work outside your scope is treated as unlicensed work and carries the same penalties.
ShiftScript’s compliance platform lets you store and verify LBP licences, track expiry dates, and generate reports for council audits. You can also create digital records of supervision for restricted building work.
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No. Painting, plasterboard stopping, and other non‑structural finishes are not restricted building work. However, if you are working on a building site, you must still follow health and safety rules.
No. Only individuals can hold an LBP licence. A company cannot be licensed, but it can employ licensed individuals to carry out or supervise RBW.
You must be an LBP in the relevant class and be physically present on site when the apprentice is doing RBW. You cannot supervise remotely. The apprentice must be under your direct control.
Licences are valid for 3 years. You must renew before expiry and complete continuing professional development (CPD) each year.
A building consent is a council approval for building work. An LBP is a person’s licence to do restricted building work. You need both: a consent for the project, and an LBP to do the work.
ShiftScript’s compliance hub lets you upload licences, set renewal reminders, and track supervision records — all in one place. Start your free trial today.