Beginning 1 March 2012, Restricted Building Work came into effect. This applies to most residential building or renovation work and, with the exception of the "owner-builder" exemption, only a Licensed Building Practitioner can undertake or supervise the work.

If you apply for a building consent, you must make sure that the practitioners you use are correctly licensed to carry out the work. Licensed Building Practitioners include:

• Designers
• Carpenters
• Roofers
• External Plasterers
• Brick and Blocklayers
• Foundation specialists

How do I find a Licensed Building Practitioner?

Search the Licensed Building Practitioner Register.

Professional Engineers, Architects, Plumbers and Gasfitters are treated as Licensed Building Practitioners and can carry out some Restricted Building Work.

• Registered Architects Board Register
• Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board Register
• Electrical Work Register
• Chartered Professional Engineer Register

Not all work that requires a Building Consent is Restricted Building Work.  Check out the Department of Building and Housing's information on Restricted Building Work.

For further information, refer to the Department of Building and Housing, or view information on the "owner-builder exemption".