How do I check if a builder is licensed in NZ?

Search the Licensed Building Practitioners (LBP) public register at lbp.govt.nz. Enter the builder's name or LBP number to see their licence status, class (e.g. Carpentry, Design, Site), and any conditions or disciplinary history. All restricted building work in NZ (structural work, weathertight work, etc.) must be carried out or supervised by a licensed LBP.

How do I check if an electrician is registered in NZ?

Search the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) public register at ewrb.govt.nz/public-register. Enter the electrician's name or registration number to verify their registration status, class, and any conditions. All mains electrical work in NZ must be carried out by a registered electrical worker. Certain work must also be inspected and signed off by a Licensed Electrical Inspector (LEI).

How do I check if a plumber is licensed in NZ?

Plumbers and drainlayers in NZ are registered through the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB). Search the PGDB public register at pgdb.co.nz/public-register to verify a plumber's registration status. All sanitary plumbing, drainlaying, and gasfitting work must be done by a registered practitioner. Unregistered work is illegal and may not pass council inspection.

What is restricted building work in NZ?

Restricted building work (RBW) in NZ includes: primary structure (foundations, framing), weathertight envelope (roofing, external cladding, windows), fire-safety systems, and certain design work. RBW must be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) with the relevant licence class. Homeowners doing their own work may be exempt (owner-builder exemption) but cannot sell the work to others.

What happens if I use an unlicensed tradesperson for restricted work in NZ?

Using an unlicensed tradesperson for restricted building work in NZ can result in: the council refusing to issue a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC), fines for both the homeowner and the contractor, insurance and warranty issues, and problems when selling the property. Building work without consent when consent is required can result in an enforcement order to demolish or remove the work.

Check LBP Licence NZ — Verify Builder, Electrician & Plumber Licences

Updated June 2026 6 min read

Before hiring any tradesperson for significant building, electrical, plumbing, or gas work in New Zealand, you should verify their licence. It takes 30 seconds and could save you from fines, failed council inspections, and insurance voids. Below are the direct links to every official NZ trade register.

⚠️ Unlicensed work is illegal for restricted building work in NZ. Using an unlicensed contractor for restricted building work (structural, weathertight, fire safety) can result in no Code Compliance Certificate, fines of up to $200,000, and problems when selling your home.

Check a Licence — Quick Links to Official NZ Registers

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LBP — Licensed Building Practitioner

For builders, carpenters, designers, roofers, and other building trades. Required for all restricted building work.

Search the LBP Register → lbp.govt.nz ⚡

EWRB — Electrical Workers

For registered electricians and licensed electrical inspectors (LEI). Required for all mains electrical work.

Search the EWRB Register → ewrb.govt.nz 🔧

PGDB — Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers

For registered plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers. Required for all sanitary plumbing, gas, and drainage work.

Search the PGDB Register → pgdb.co.nz ✅

Master Plumbers — Find a Member

Master Plumbers are independently audited members of the Master Plumbers industry body. Voluntary membership but a quality signal.

Find a Master Plumber → masterplumbers.org.nz 🏠

Master Builders — Find a Member

Master Builders members must be LBP licensed and meet additional standards. Members offer the Master Build Guarantee.

Find a Master Builder → masterbuilders.org.nz 💡

Master Electricians — Find a Member

Master Electricians members are verified EWRB-registered contractors with additional industry body standards.

Find a Master Electrician → masterelectricians.org.nz

How to Check an LBP Licence in NZ — Step by Step

Ask your contractor for their LBP number — any licensed building practitioner should provide this immediately. If they hesitate, that's a warning sign.
Go to lbp.govt.nz and click "Check Your Builder is Licensed" or search directly by name or LBP number.
Confirm the licence class matches the work — an LBP with a "Carpentry" licence cannot legally carry out structural design work, which requires a "Design" or "Structural Engineering" licence class.
Check for conditions or disciplinary action — the register shows any licence conditions, suspensions, or disciplinary history.
Get it in writing — ask the contractor to include their LBP number on the contract and any quotes. Licensed contractors are required to provide a Record of Work on completion.

LBP Licence Classes — What Each One Covers

LBP Class	What they can do
Carpentry	Framing, structural timber work, decks, weathertight envelope carpentry
Roofing	Roofing, flashings, weathertight roof work
Foundations	Concrete foundations, pile driving, ground preparation
External Plastering	Exterior plaster systems (stucco, EIFS, roughcast)
Brick and Blocklaying	Masonry veneer, concrete block, brick walls
Site	Supervision of all restricted building work on a site
Design	Design of restricted building work

A contractor must hold the correct class for the work they're doing. A carpenter cannot legally supervise structural design without a Design licence.

What is Restricted Building Work (RBW)?

Restricted building work is building work that must be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner. It includes:

Primary structure — any work that affects the structural integrity: foundations, framing, load-bearing walls, beams
Weathertight envelope — external cladding, roofing, windows, doors, flashings — anything that keeps the weather out
Fire-safety systems — sprinklers, fire walls, fire doors in buildings where they are required
Design — designing any of the above for consent purposes

Owner-builder exemption: A homeowner can do their own restricted building work on their own home without being an LBP, as long as they live in (or intend to live in) the home. However, they cannot be paid for the work and must declare the exemption to the council.

Electrician Licence Requirements — EWRB

All electrical work connected to the mains (household wiring, switchboards, power points, lighting circuits) must be done by an EWRB-registered electrical worker. The main registration classes are:

Class	What they can do
Registered Electrician	Can carry out all electrical installation work unsupervised
Electrical Inspector (LEI)	Can inspect and certify (sign off) electrical work — required for certain work types
Registered Electrical Trainee	Can do electrical work but must be supervised by a Registered Electrician

Always confirm the electrician who does the work is a Registered Electrician, not just a trainee. The certifier who signs off the Certificate of Compliance must be a Registered Electrician or LEI.

Plumber and Gasfitter Requirements — PGDB

Plumbing, drainlaying, and gasfitting in NZ is regulated by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB). Key classes:

Registered Plumber — can do all sanitary plumbing work (pipes, drains, hot water, bathrooms)
Licensed Plumber — can certify (sign off) their own work
Gasfitter — can install and certify gas appliances and pipework
Drainlayer — can lay and certify stormwater and wastewater drainage

Gas work is particularly important — unlicensed gasfitting creates serious safety hazards and voids insurance. Always check the PGDB register before any gas work.

Red Flags — Signs a Tradie May Not Be Licensed

They can't provide an LBP, EWRB, or PGDB number on request
Their quote is significantly lower than others (often means cutting corners on compliance)
They offer to do work without consent "to save you money"
They don't provide a written contract or quote
They ask for a large cash deposit before work starts
They can't show a recent completed project with a Code Compliance Certificate

FAQ — Checking Tradie Licences in NZ

How do I check if a builder has an LBP licence?

Go to lbp.govt.nz and search by name or LBP number. The register shows licence class, status, and any conditions or disciplinary history. Every licensed builder must provide their LBP number on request.

What is the EWRB register?

The Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) maintains the public register of all registered electrical workers in NZ. Search at ewrb.govt.nz/public-register. Using an unregistered electrician for mains work is illegal in NZ.

Do I need an LBP for all building work?

No — only for restricted building work (structural, weathertight, fire safety). Minor work, maintenance, and internal alterations that don't affect primary structure or weathertightness can be done without an LBP. When in doubt, check with your local council.

What happens if consent work is done without an LBP?

The council won't issue a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) without the required Records of Work from a licensed LBP. Without a CCC, you may face problems when selling or refinancing the property. The homeowner is ultimately responsible, even if the contractor was at fault.

Find Licensed Tradespeople in Your Area

All tradespeople listed on NZ Tradie Tools are verified LBP, EWRB, or PGDB registered.

Find a Licensed Tradie →