Did you know a building license is required when undertaking certain projects? Anyone completing building works without a license puts both themselves and their clients at significant risk while holding appropriate licenses can open up significant commercial opportunities across the building industry.
Becoming a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) in New Zealand will provide your clients with confidence they are working with a qualified company they can trust. New Zealand’s LBP program promotes and supports professional skills and behaviour in the industry.
Holding a license gives you the ability to perform or supervise restricted building work (RBW), opening your business up to new opportunities. Without a license, you are unable to perform this type of work without placing both yourself and your clients at risk.
As a licensed building practitioner you will also be required to regularly update and maintain your knowledge and skills. This includes keeping up to date with any industry changes and abiding by obligations.
Become an Authorised Stratco Outback® Dealer or Installer
Stratco offers a range of great installer opportunities. There are flexible options throughout New Zealand. You can work with an Authorised Outback® Dealer and simply focus on installations, or you could become an Authorised Stratco Outback® Dealer yourself.
Stratco has an outstanding reputation, producing high-quality products your customers will love, backed by our 25-year warranty. We also pride ourselves on friendly and knowledgeable service. Our Stratco Dealers and Installers are no exception. Our authorised dealers provide professional and quality services whilst holding all appropriate licenses.
With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and retail centres there are abundant opportunities. If you’re looking to become an Authorised Stratco Outback® Dealer there are many benefits to the program and being a part of the iconic Stratco brand.
- Access to support tools and training
- Association with the Stratco Outback® brand which is known and trusted
- Representation and support from a major international manufacturer
- Low start-up costs
- Extensive training programs
- No franchise fees or lead costs
- Sales and marketing support and development programs
- The commitment of Stratco to continually improve the Outback® range of products and see our Outback® Dealers succeed.
What it takes to become a Stratco Authorised Outback® Dealer or Installer
We're looking for:
- Relevant building or installation experience preferred
- A great attitude and wortk ethic
- A willingness to learn
- A current NZBN
In order to become an Authorised Stratco Outback® Dealer, you must also possess a builder’s license. In New Zealand, there are different levels of requirements depending on the type of license you would like. Education, experience, and a number of references are factors that can all impact your ability in gaining your license.
It is important to understand what is required before committing to the process to save you time and frustration in the long run.
Types of licenses
There are 7 licensing classes that determine the type of work that a person is competent and licensed to undertake. Licensed practitioners are not eligible to perform any restricted building work that isn’t part of their licensing class. You are allowed to apply to be licensed in multiple classes however you must show you are competent in each. The classes include:
- Brick and block laying
- Carpentry
- Design
- External plastering
- Foundations
- Roofing
- Site
There are three pathways to apply to become an LBP:
- Qualified application
- Standard application
- Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (TTMRA)
Making An Application
You can apply to be a licensed building practitioner online via 6 steps
- Obtain a RealMe Login
- Decide what type of application you need
- Provide Information – personal information, qualifications, and experience
- Pre-assessment
- Certify and pay – submit your application.
- Assessment – an assessor will contact you to discuss your application.
Types Of Applications
Qualified Practitioner Application
You are able to apply through the qualified practitioner application process if you have undertaken a formal study which meets the licensing competencies. However, you will also need to provide evidence of recent building projects that relate to the licensing class competencies you are applying for.
This licensing assessment has three stages:
Administration
The administration team will firstly ensure that the application is ‘complete’. If there is information missing, they will contact you and advise you of what you need to provide and the date you must provide it by.
Once your application is complete it will be passed to an assessor.
Assessors
An assessor will be selected based on their design and/or building backgrounds.
An assessor will then:
- review your application form
- call your referees to confirm your technical competence on projects you have worked on
- call you to discuss your application
- carry out a telephone based test on your regulatory knowledge.
Once the assessor has completed your assessment, they will then provide a written report to the Registrar making a recommendation of your competence.
Registrar
Once the Registrar has reviewed your report the Registrar will make a decision regarding the granting of your licence.
Referees
When considering your references you should take into consideration the following criteria:
- you are required to provide 2 referees
- your referees need to have technical credibility relevant to the work you carried out
- your referees must be able to discuss the specific range of building work they observed you carry out in the last 5 years
- your referees need to be available to talk with your assessor.
For more information https://www.lbp.govt.nz/assets/lbp/documents/lbp-handbook.pdf
Standard Application
The standard application is available if you are applying for Design license or if you do not hold any recognised qualifications.
This application is based on your level of experience and requires you to provide information on your previous work history, jobs you have recently completed, and referees who can discuss what work you did on those jobs.
This licensing assessment has three stages:
Administration
The administration team will firstly ensure that the application is ‘complete’. If there is information missing, they will contact you and advise you of what you need to provide and the date you must provide it by.
Once your application is complete it will be passed to an assessor.
Standard Assessors
An assessor will be selected based on their design and/or building backgrounds.
An assessor will then:
- Review your application form
- Call your referees to confirm your technical competence on projects you have worked on
- Call you to discuss your application
- Discuss with you your work history – this will include questions regarding your career pathway and overall development
- Perform a telephone based test on your industry knowledge.
Once the assessor has completed your assessment, they will then provide a written report to the Registrar making a recommendation of your competence.
Design Assessors
An assessor will then be selected based on their design and/or building backgrounds.
If possible, a design licensing class assessment will be held in a workplace to enable you to provide the assessor with the information they require to assess you against the Design licensing competencies. In some cases, an available assessor may not be available in your area therefore you may need to have a virtual assessment.
Once the assessor has completed your assessment, they will then provide a written report to the Registrar making a recommendation of your competence.
Registrar
Once the Registrar has reviewed your report the Registrar will make a decision regarding the granting of your licence.
Referees
Standard application
When considering your references you should take into consideration the following criteria:
- you are required to provide 2 referees
- your referees need to have technical credibility relevant to the work you carried out
- your referees must be able to discuss the specific range of building work they observed you carry out in the last 5 years
- your referees must be available to talk with your assessor.
Design application
- You are required to provide three referees.
- Your referees must relate to the projects you have nominated in your application.
- You are required to provide – a client; a contractor and a consultant.
- Your contractor and consultant referees need to have technical credibility
- Your referees must be available to talk with your assessor.
For more information https://www.lbp.govt.nz/assets/lbp/documents/lbp-handbook.pdf
Australian Licence Holders
If you’re an Australian building practitioner and want to work in New Zealand you will need to have a current LBP licence to undertake restricted building work. If you have an Australian licence that is equivalent, then TTMRA might be right for you.
Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Application
A person holding an Australian State design or trade related licence can apply for a New Zealand licence under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (TTMRA). This only applies if the Australian State builders licence is equivalent to a New Zealand Licensed Building Practitioner licence.
Not all Australian licences correspond to a New Zealand licence. If you have an Australian design or trade related licence its important to check before you apply under TTMRA.
Click here for more information: Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition agreement application form