What if a tradie says they do not need a licence?

Some work genuinely does not require registration — painting, carpet laying, and general landscaping are not regulated trades. But plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying, electrical work, and restricted building work all require registration by law. If a tradie claims they do not need a licence for regulated work, do not hire them.

Can I check if a tradie has had complaints or disciplinary actions?

Yes. The public registers for LBP, PGDB, and EWRB all show disciplinary history. Building Practitioners Board decisions are published on the Building Performance website. PGDB and EWRB disciplinary decisions are also publicly available. Checking for past disciplinary actions gives you a fuller picture of the tradie's professional conduct.

NZ Regulations

How to Check if a Tradie is Licensed in NZ

A step-by-step guide to verifying tradie licences and registrations in New Zealand. Covers LBP, PGDB, EWRB, and other registration bodies.

Before hiring a tradie in New Zealand, checking their licence or registration is one of the most important steps you can take. It takes just a few minutes and can save you from hiring someone who is not legally qualified to do the work. Here is how to verify every type of trade registration in NZ.

Licensed Building Practitioners (LBP)

Builders, carpenters, roofers, and other building trade professionals who do restricted building work must be Licensed Building Practitioners. Verify on the Building Performance website at building.govt.nz — search by name or licence number. The register shows their licence class, status (active, suspended, cancelled), and any disciplinary actions. Make sure their licence class covers the type of work you need.

Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers (PGDB)

Plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers must be registered with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB). Verify on the PGDB website at pgdb.co.nz — search by name or registration number. The register shows their registration type (certifying, licensed, or registered), the disciplines they are registered in (plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying, or combinations), and their practising licence expiry date.

Electricians (EWRB)

Electricians must be registered with the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB). Verify on the EWRB website at ewrb.govt.nz — search by name or registration number. The register shows their registration class (Electrician, Electrical Inspector, etc.), practising licence status, and any disciplinary history. All electricians must have a current practising licence to work.

Other Trade Registrations

Some other trades have voluntary registration or membership bodies: Master Painters NZ (masterpaintersanz.co.nz) for painters. FloorNZ for carpet layers and flooring professionals. LIANZ for landscapers. NZ Certified Tile Association for tilers. These are industry associations, not regulatory bodies — membership is voluntary but indicates professional standards. You can verify membership on their respective websites.

What to Do if Something Does Not Check Out

If you cannot find a tradie on the relevant register, or their registration has expired or been suspended: do not hire them for regulated work. Ask them to explain — there may be a legitimate reason (e.g., they registered under a different name). If they claim to be registered but are not, report them to the relevant registration body. For LBPs, contact the Building Practitioners Board. For plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers, contact PGDB. For electricians, contact EWRB.

Key Takeaways

Builders doing restricted work: verify LBP on building.govt.nz
Plumbers, gasfitters, drainlayers: verify on pgdb.co.nz
Electricians: verify on ewrb.govt.nz
Painters, carpet layers, tilers, landscapers: check voluntary industry memberships
Always verify before hiring — it takes under a minute and protects you

Frequently Asked Questions

While tradies are legally obliged to hold appropriate registration, it is strongly in your interest to verify. If you hire an unregistered person for regulated work, the work may not comply with the Building Code, insurance may not cover resulting damage, and you may face difficulties when selling your property. A quick online check protects your investment.