Streamlined application (Qualified)

The streamlined application process confirms you have undertaken a formal study in New Zealand, which contributes to your ability to meet the licensing competencies. Having a qualification does not automatically make you eligible for a license. You will also need to discuss relevant, recent building projects that relate to the licensing class you are applying for.

You can only submit a streamlined application if you have a New Zealand qualification that is on the list of recognised qualifications in the LBP Rules.

Check if your qualification is recognised

Rules of the Board

You can’t apply for a Design licence using a qualified practitioner application. You must use a standard (experience-based) application instead.

If you have an overseas qualification, have a qualification that is not recognised, or are applying based on your experience in the trade, you must use a standard (experience-based) application instead.

Standard application

If you hold an Australian State design or trade-related licence, please see the Australian licence holders page.

Australian licence holders

Understanding the process

Licensing assessments happen in three stages, involving:

1. Licensing and processing team
2. Assessors
3. Registrar

Licensing and processing team

Our Licensing team will firstly ensure that your application is ‘complete’. If there is information missing, they will contact you and advise you of what you need to provide, as well as the date by which you must provide this. If you do not provide the requested information by the provided due date, then your application will lapse and you will have to apply again.

Once the team have confirmed that you have supplied all the required documents, your application will progress to assessment and will be assigned to an assessor.

Avoid application delays

To avoid delays caused by incomplete applications, please refer to the application checklist before starting your application:

Qualified Pathway Checklist [DOCX, 23 KB]

Assessors

Our assessor team has been selected for their design and/or building backgrounds. Most of our assessors are LBPs themselves or hold the equivalent registration or experience. Your application will be assessed by someone with an extensive knowledge of your licensing class.

An assessor will carry out the following:

1. Evaluate your application form and supporting evidence

This includes qualifications, work history, project examples, referees, design portfolio and other relevant evidence you have provided in your application. 

2. Virtual assessment and competency questioning

Following the application review, your assessor will be in touch to set up a virtual assessment. This will be completed using Microsoft Teams and will be recorded in line with our privacy policy.

During this interview, the assessor will ask you questions to explore your understanding and practical application of the competencies and performance indicators required for the licence class you have applied for.

3. Referee check 

Following the assessment interview, the assessor will call your referees provided and verify the information provided by you in both their interview and your application form.

Once the assessor has completed your assessment, they will provide a written report and recommendation to the Registrar as to whether they believe you have met all the competencies for the licence class you have applied for.

Registrar

Once the Registrar has reviewed this report, the Registrar will make a decision regarding your licence. The Registrar may at times request some more information from you to assist in making this decision.

The Registrar will send you a written notification of their decision.

Referees

When considering your referees, you should take into consideration the following criteria:

• You are required to provide at least two referees for each area of practice you are applying for (additional referees may be required for some licensing classes which contain multiple areas of practice).to assess your competency within each area of practice.
• Your referees should have technical credibility, that is they are able to answer technical questions relevant to the work you carried out – our preference is for at least one referee to be a currently licensed LBP.
• Your referees should have worked on the projects you have nominated in your application, and they should have observed the specific range of building work you carried out.
• Your referees need to be available to talk with your assessor.
• Your referees should not be family members.