Building Act 2004 — LBP licensing
Licensed Building Practitioners — NZ obligations
Restricted building work must be done by or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner. Here's what that means in practice.
📋 Building Act 2004 — LBP licensing regime (MBIE)
What is restricted building work?
Work that, if done incorrectly, would compromise structural integrity, weathertightness, or fire safety — including structural framing, external cladding and roofing, windows and external doors, and fire safety systems.
LBP licence classes
- Design — designing restricted building work
- Site — supervising all restricted work on a site
- Carpentry — structural framing, roofing
- External plastering — plaster-based cladding
- Bricklaying and blocklaying
- Roofing
- Foundation
- Scaffolding — scaffolding over 5 metres
Record of Work
On completion of restricted work, the LBP must provide a Record of Work to both the owner and the BCA within 5 working days. Without it, the council will not issue the CCC.
Consequences of unlicensed work
- Fines up to $20,000
- Council can refuse the CCC
- Work may need to be removed at owner's cost
- 10-year civil liability for defective work
- Insurance may be voided
Checking an LBP's licence
Search the public register at lbp.govt.nz/register before engaging anyone for restricted building work. Licences must be renewed every 2 years.
Source: Building Act 2004.
lbp.govt.nz. General information only.
Frequently asked questions
Can an LBP supervise unlicensed workers?
Yes, but the LBP must be sufficiently involved and signs the Record of Work. They are personally accountable for supervised work.
What if an LBP's licence has lapsed?
Work done is unlicensed work — with all associated consequences. Always check the register.
Do I need an LBP for a deck?
Exempt decks (under 1.5m, under 30m²) don't need consent or an LBP. If consent is required, structural work needs an LBP.
Can a homeowner do restricted work?
Only via the owner-builder exemption — your own primary residence, personal work, 3-year disclosure if you sell.