How to Get Your LBP Licence in New Zealand (2026 Guide)

How to get an LBP licence in NZ — eligibility, application steps, costs, processing times, skills maintenance, and what happens if your licence lapses.

If you do restricted building work in New Zealand, you need an LBP licence. Working without one is illegal and can result in fines of up to $20,000. This guide walks you through exactly how to get licensed — which pathway suits you, what it costs, and how long to expect.

What Is an LBP Licence?

An LBP (Licensed Building Practitioner) licence is issued by MBIE and authorises you to carry out or supervise restricted building work — work on homes and small buildings that is critical to structure or weathertightness.

What Counts as Restricted Building Work?

Structural work (foundations, framing, load-bearing walls, structural alterations)
Weathertightness work (roof cladding, exterior wall cladding, decks over 1.5m high)
Design work related to the above (structural or weathertight design)
Site work (earthworks critical to foundations)

If you do this type of work without a licence, you are in breach of the Building Act — and the building owner's insurance may be void if a claim arises from that work. Building owners increasingly ask to see your LBP number before engaging contractors.

LBP Licence Classes

Class	What it covers
Carpentry	Structural and weathertight carpentry — the most common class for NZ builders
Site 1	Foundation and groundwork for simple buildings
Site 2	More complex foundation and site work
External Plastering	Plaster cladding systems (e.g. Rockcote, Sto)
Bricklaying and Blocklaying	Structural masonry
Roofing	Roof cladding and waterproofing
Design 1	Structural and weathertight design for simple buildings
Design 2	More complex design work

Most NZ builders need Carpentry class. If you also do your own site work, you may want Site 1 as well. You can hold multiple classes.

Which Pathway Applies to You?

Pathway 1 — NZ Qualification

You have a recognised NZ qualification (or overseas equivalent assessed by NZQA):

National Certificate in Carpentry Level 4 — the standard entry for carpenters and most builders
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6)
Certain overseas qualifications assessed as equivalent by NZQA

This is the fastest pathway. If your qualification is recognised, MBIE verifies it and processes your application within their 40-working-day target.

Pathway 2 — Experience Assessment

You've been doing the work for years but don't have formal qualifications. This is common for older tradespeople who came through apprenticeships before formal licensing existed.

Requirements: - Typically 5+ years of relevant restricted building work - References from other LBPs, architects, engineers, or clients who can verify your work - Documentation of completed projects (photos, job records, consented plans you supervised) - A portfolio showing your range of competence across the relevant class - May include a trade assessment (practical or written test)

This pathway takes longer — 3–5 months is common, occasionally more, because a licensed assessor has to review your portfolio and potentially visit a site. Submit a thorough application first time to avoid RFIs.

Pathway 3 — Overseas Qualification

Migrant tradespeople can have overseas qualifications assessed by NZQA. If recognised as equivalent, you apply directly. If not equivalent, you'll need to complete additional NZ training or take the experience pathway.

Countries with mutual recognition frameworks (Australia, UK) often have a more streamlined assessment process.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1 — Choose your licence class(es) Decide which LBP class you're applying for. Most applicants start with Carpentry.

Step 2 — Gather your evidence

For qualification pathway: - Certificates and transcripts - Identity documents - Two references from industry contacts (LBPs, architects, or clients)

For experience pathway, add: - Employment history (employer names, dates, types of work) - Project portfolio with photos, plans, and job descriptions - Statutory declarations where required - References from other LBPs or professionals who've seen your work

Step 3 — Complete the online application Apply at lbp.govt.nz. You'll create an account, fill in the application form, and upload supporting documents.

Step 4 — Pay the fee Current application fee: $415. Payable by credit card online.

Step 5 — Wait for assessment MBIE targets 40 working days from receipt of a complete application. If they need more information (RFI), the clock pauses — respond promptly. Experience pathway applications routinely take longer due to portfolio assessment.

Step 6 — Receive your licence Once approved, you get your LBP number and card. Your number must appear on: - All building consent documents you lodge or supervise - Statutory declarations (Record of Building Work) - Any correspondence with councils about restricted building work

LBP Licence Costs — Full Breakdown

Item	Cost
Application fee (initial)	$415
Annual licensing fee (year 1 + ongoing)	$178/year
Skills maintenance training (per 2-year cycle)	$100–$500
Trade assessment (experience pathway, if required)	$200–$600

Most builders spend $350–$700 in the first 2-year cycle (licence fee + training). It's a small cost compared to the penalty for working without a licence.

Skills Maintenance — Keeping Your Licence Active

Every 2 years you must complete Skills Maintenance to renew. You need 100 points per 2-year cycle, logged on the MBIE portal.

Activities that earn points: - Industry training courses (20–40 points each) - Online learning modules on MBIE's LBP site - Attending industry events (conferences, trade shows) - Reading and reflecting on published industry guidance - First aid/site safety courses

The 100 points is not hard to reach if you're actively working in the trade — attending two training days in two years will usually get you there. The risk is builders who let it slide and find themselves scrambling at renewal time.

If you miss skills maintenance: Your licence lapses. You cannot do restricted building work. You'll need to reapply, which means meeting current requirements — not the ones that applied when you first licensed.

What an LBP Must Do On Every Job

Once you're licensed, there are ongoing obligations:

Record of Building Work: At the end of every restricted building job, you must complete a statutory declaration (Record of Building Work) for the building owner. This goes to the council at Code Compliance Certificate stage.
Only work within your licensed class: A Carpentry LBP cannot certify their own roofing or plastering — those need separate licences.
Update your contact details: MBIE must have current details. Failure to keep records current can jeopardise your licence.
Don't supervise work you haven't seen: The Record of Building Work is a legal declaration. Only sign for work you actually supervised.

Checking Someone's LBP Licence

The MBIE public register at lbp.govt.nz/public-register lets anyone check whether a builder is licensed, what class they hold, and whether their licence is current. Homeowners and councils increasingly check this before engaging builders or accepting consent applications.

As a builder, your LBP status is visible to any potential client — another reason to keep it current.

Do Subcontractors Need an LBP?

Yes, if they're doing restricted building work independently. A licensed builder cannot sign off on subcontracted restricted building work they didn't actually supervise. In practice:

If a subcontractor frames or roofs a house under your direct supervision, you can certify it
If they're running a separate crew you're not physically overseeing, they need their own LBP

Building owners are also obligated to ensure their contractors hold appropriate licences. Sophisticated clients and body corporates will ask for LBP numbers upfront.