Understanding Trade Licensing & Registration in NZ
New Zealand's trade licensing system has several different bodies covering different trades, which makes it confusing to know what to actually check. Here's a plain-English breakdown of each one.
LBP — Licensed Building Practitioners
The LBP scheme, run by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), licenses builders, and other building professionals who carry out or supervise 'restricted building work' — broadly, structural work that affects a building's weathertightness or structural integrity.
You can search the public LBP register by name or licence number to confirm someone is currently licensed, in which class (e.g. Carpentry, Site), and check for any disciplinary history.
EWRB — Electrical Workers Registration Board
The EWRB registers and licenses electricians and other electrical workers in New Zealand. A Practising Licence is required to legally carry out most electrical work, and the EWRB's public register lets you check a licence is current before hiring.
For most electrical work, you should also receive a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) once the job is done — keep this, as it's often required for insurance claims or when selling a property.
PGDB — Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board
The PGDB registers and licenses plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers under one board, since the three trades often overlap on a single job (a bathroom renovation, for instance, might involve all three). Each trade has its own registration, so a registered plumber isn't automatically registered to do gasfitting.
As with the other boards, the PGDB maintains a public register you can search to confirm someone's current registration status.
What's not centrally licensed
Trades like painting, tiling, and general handyman work don't have an equivalent national licensing board in New Zealand. For these, verification relies more on reputation, insurance, an NZBN check, and reviewing past work as the closest equivalent trust check.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if unlicensed work is done on my house?
Unlicensed restricted building work, electrical work, or gasfitting can fail council inspections, void your home insurance for related damage, and create serious problems when you try to sell — buyers' solicitors routinely check for compliance documentation.
Can I do minor trade work myself without a licence?
Some minor electrical and plumbing work (not classified as restricted) can legally be done by a homeowner. If you're unsure whether a job qualifies, ask a registered tradesperson or check the relevant board's guidance before starting.
How current does a licence check need to be?
Registrations can lapse or be suspended, so check the public register close to when you hire someone rather than relying on an old business card or a licence number seen on a previous job.