Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing (Level 4)
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
4
Credits
249
NZSCED
040327
Architecture and Building > Building > Plumbing, Gasfitting and
Drainlaying> Plumbing
DAS classification
686
Planning and Construction > Plumbing, Gasfitting and
Drainlaying
Qualification developer
The Skills Organisation
Next review
December 2020
Approval date
June 2015
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the plumbing sector
with people who are suitably skilled as plumbing tradespersons
and ready to apply for registration as a licensed plumber under
the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006.
This qualification provides an entry into the plumbing industry
and is intended for candidates who are training in the workplace
and who can fulfil the requirements of the Plumbers, Gasfitters
and Drainlayers Board Trainee Limited Certificate (TLC).
Generally this is in conjunction with an apprenticeship.
This qualification allows the New Zealand community to
recognise that graduates, once registered and licensed, are able
to legally carry out all sanitary plumbing work, essential for the
safe delivery and removal of water. A licensed plumber can
carry out any work involved in fixing or unfixing pipes, plumbing
fixtures or appliances including; traps, waste or soil pipes,
ventilation pipes, or overflow pipes and pipes that supply water.
Licensed plumbers are qualified and licensed but must be
supervised by a certifying person who is ultimately responsible
for ensuring the work is done competently.
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
Outcome Statement
 Install, maintain and repair plumbing systems in accordance
with the legal requirements for a licensed plumber, including
the following systems:
Qualification Reference 2663
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
Water supply including backflow; Domestic fire sprinkler;
Sanitary plumbing of appliances and fixtures; Foulwater;
Hot water supply; Solar water heating; Rainwater
handling; Ventilation and ducting; Pumps
 Interpret plumbing drawings and specifications
 Understand and apply the legislative responsibilities of a
licensed plumber
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 Make, install and repair flashings and penetrations and
repair external envelope claddings that are associated with
plumbing systems
 Install, maintain and repair solid fuel space heaters
 Install, maintain and repair profiled metal roofing and wall
cladding
 Work with consideration of other construction trades and
related services on site and practice ethically
 Apply material science and selection, trade physics, and
environmentally sustainable considerations for plumbing
systems
 Apply safe working procedures and practices; identify and
control hazards in a working environment; and isolate and
test for safety and explain the limitations on plumbers
carrying out electrical work
Education pathway
This qualification may build on the National Certificate of
Educational Achievement (Level 2) [Ref: 0973]. The Vocational
Pathway Award in Construction and Infrastructure is also
relevant but not required.
This qualification provides an entry into the plumbing industry
and is intended for candidates who have an apprenticeship
agreement in plumbing. It provides trainees with an opportunity
to progress to being a fully credentialed tradesperson.
The second entry pathway is the New Zealand Certificate in
Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying (Level 3) [Ref: 2660] that is
intended for candidates who do not have an apprenticeship
agreement in any of those trades.
This qualification [Ref: 2663] can build on the New Zealand
Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying (Level 3)
[Ref: 2660], which is not a pre-requisite for this qualification.
Some credits gained from the lower level qualification will
contribute to this qualification.
Employment pathway
Graduates will have met the competence requirements for a
career in the plumbing industry and may engage as licensed
plumbers once they have completed registration and other
licensing requirements.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
The candidate shall be awarded the qualification by the
accredited Tertiary Education Organisation (TEO) where the
approved programme has been completed.
The formal document certifying the award of this qualification
includes the full qualification title, the date of award, and the
logos of The Skills Organisation, the accredited TEO, and
the NZQF.
Qualification Reference 2663
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
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As the qualification developer, The Skills Organisation will
maintain a list of graduates of this qualification. The TEO
will report annually to The Skills Organisation the names of
all graduates awarded the qualification.
Arrangements for managing
consistency
All TEOs offering this qualification (either arranging training
or delivering programmes) must engage with all the
arrangements for managing consistency as stated below.
Candidates will be required to complete a common
assessment to be undertaken in a controlled environment.
The common assessment integrates any examination that
forms part of the registration requirements of the Plumbers,
Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board and is matched to the
outcomes of the theory for registration of plumbers unit
standard 28347. The Skills Organisation will notify TEOs
annually of the timing and methodology of the common
assessment after consultation with the Plumbers, Gasfitters
and Drainlayers Board (the Board).
Evidence may come from:

Regular monitoring of trainee progression within either
the TEO or the workplace including liaising with
employers, teaching staff, training supervisors and
industry and managers about the value of the training to
graduates and industry.

Feedback from major employers' associations to ensure
their members involved in the Plumbing, Gasfitting
and/or Drainlaying industries are satisfied with the
qualification graduates.

Regular cross-industry meetings (Industry Advisory
Groups) where the changing training needs of the
industry can be discussed in light of technology
changes, workplace practices and graduate capabilities.

Independent surveys of graduates and employers to
determine if the graduates are appropriate for the
workplace.

Providing an alignment matrix of programme outcomes
against the qualification outcomes, including how the
programme meets the requirements of the specified
PGD Board competency.

Monitoring of results of common assessment task.

Other relevant evidence that would support the report on
the evaluative question.
The evidence should be collated in to a high level report
using the consistency template that answers the key
evaluation question and is presented at the consistency
event to show how the graduates meet the graduate profile.
Guidelines for managing consistency are available and
should be referred to on the NZQA website.
Qualification Reference 2663
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
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Credit transfer and recognition of
prior learning arrangements
TEOs delivering programmes that lead to award of this
qualification may transfer credit and recognise prior learning
in accordance with their own credit recognition policies and
procedures.
These policies and procedures, and information about
associated fees, must be available to the applicant prior to
enrolment.
To facilitate credit transfer, education organisations must
clearly demonstrate the equivalency or comparability
between each of the outcomes in the graduate profile, and
the assessment components of their programmes.
Credit transfer will be automatic where standards on the
Directory of Assessment Standards are used for assessment
within programmes of study or training leading to this
qualification.
Minimum standard of achievement
and standards for grade
endorsements
The minimum standard of achievement required for the
award of the qualification will be:
Entry requirements (including
regulatory body or legislative
requirements)

achievement of all graduate outcomes in the
graduate profile through successful completion of an
approved programme.

successful completion of the common assessment
for the qualification.
None
Qualification conditions
Overarching conditions relating to the qualification
Conditions for programme
Programmes must include the common assessment approved by the
structure
Board for its registration purposes, matched to the outcomes of the
theory for registration of plumbers unit standard 28347. It is
recommended that this assessment occurs in the second half of the
programme.
It is recommended that training and assessment for health and safety
occur early in the programme.
Conditions for programme
context
Regulatory Requirements
Candidates will be required to complete a common assessment to be
undertaken in a controlled environment. The common assessment
will include any examination that forms part of the registration
requirements of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.
Therefore, graduates may use this New Zealand Certificate as
evidence of having met the minimum applicable competence
requirements when applying to the Plumbers, Gasfitters and
Drainlayers Board for registration as a plumber.
Programmes leading to this qualification must reflect supervision
requirements that are contained within the Plumbers, Gasfitters and
Qualification Reference 2663
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
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Drainlayers Board registration and licensing Gazette notices.
All trainees in New Zealand undertaking sanitary plumbing as defined
in the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006 must hold a
Trainee Limited Certificate from the Board.
The Board competencies referred to in the conditions throughout this
document are contained in paragraph 7 of the schedule to the
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (Plumbing Registration
and Licensing) Notice 2010
Other conditions
Programmes must reflect industry best practice including commercial
competence, and currency with regard to legislation and regulations.
Programmes must be of sufficient duration to allow the graduate to
attain commercial competence.
Commercial competence is defined as the application of practical
activities that must be satisfactorily demonstrated within a timeframe
within which a competent person at this level could reasonably be
expected to perform the task, and reliably achieve the accepted
industry practice outcomes with regard to quality, safety and
commercial viability.
Programmes must provide in-depth theoretical knowledge in health
and safety across all activities – and all practical activities must
demonstrate these skills – addressing the Board Competency 2(h)(i)
Personal and public safety, 2(h)(ii) Site safety, 2(h)(iii) Electrical
safety, 2(h)(iv) Environmental considerations.
Health and safety requirements include those of confined spaces,
working at heights and basic first aid training.
The roofing content of programmes must align with Licensed Building
Practitioners Licensing Class: Roofing Competency 4.2.6 Complete
and finish metal roof and/or wall cladding.
Credit gained for an outcome or a standard may be used only once to
meet the requirements of this qualification.
Specific conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
Mandatory
or Optional
1
Pipe Sizing
Mandatory
Install, maintain and repair
plumbing in accordance with the
legal requirements for a licensed
plumber including:
 Water supply systems
including backflow
 Domestic fire sprinklers
 Sanitary plumbing of
appliances and fixtures
 Foulwater
Qualification Reference 2663
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
For each of the systems, pipe sizing
programmes must provide in-depth
theoretical knowledge and practical skills –
addressing the Board Competency:
2(d)(i) Pipe sizing principles
Water Supply Systems
Water supply includes backflow, protection,
mains supply, non-potable water.
Programmes must provide in-depth
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 Hot water supply
 Solar water heating
 Rainwater handling
 Ventilation and ducting
 Pumps
Credits 110
theoretical knowledge and practical skills –
addressing the Board Competency:
2(d)(ii) Hot and cold water reticulation
systems
Programmes must provide good working
knowledge and practical skills – addressing
the Board Competency:
2(d)(viii) Backflow prevention.
Programmes must provide in-depth
knowledge – addressing the Board
Competency:
2(d)(x) for alternative water supplies.
Programmes must provide good working
knowledge – addressing the Board
Competency:
2(d)(iii) for water storage systems.
Domestic Fire Sprinklers
Programmes must provide general
knowledge in relation to fire sprinklers –
addressing the Board Competency:
2(d)(iv) Domestic fire sprinkler systems.
Key information is the differences in pipe
sizing, route, and material used in relation to
other plumbing.
Sanitary Plumbing
Using the definition of sanitary plumbing as
in the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers
Act 2006, programmes must provide indepth theoretical knowledge and practical
skills – addressing the Board Competency:
2(e)(iii) Sanitary appliances and fixtures.
Foulwater
Application and installation must meet
AS/NZS 3500. Part 2: 2003 Sanitary
plumbing and drainage and New Zealand
Building Code Clause G13 Foul Water up to
3 floor levels.
Programmes must provide in-depth
theoretical knowledge and practical skills –
addressing the Board Competency:
2(e)(i) Principles of sizing and venting for
foul water plumbing systems
2(e)(iii) Sanitary appliances and fixtures
Qualification Reference 2663
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
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Programmes must provide in-depth
knowledge in relation to backflow prevention
– addressing the Board Competency:
2(e)(iv) Backflow prevention
Programmes must provide general
knowledge of irrigation systems addressing
the Board Competency:
2(e)(v) Irrigation systems
Hot Water Supply
Programmes must cover mains and low
pressure; but do not need to specify further
(eg, thermal, heating system, circulated
system, instantaneous, open vented).
Programmes must provide in-depth
theoretical knowledge and practical skills –
addressing the Board Competency:
2(d)(ii) Hot and cold water reticulation
systems
2(d)(ix) Heating systems that relate to
sanitary plumbing Hot water systems
Solar water heating
Programmes must provide in-depth
knowledge and practical skills – addressing
the Board Competency:
2(d)(ix) Heating systems that relate to
sanitary plumbing Solar water heating.
Programmes must provide general
knowledge of other heating systems. (under
floor heating and heat pumps)
Rainwater handling
Includes spouting, rain heads, downpipes,
overflow.
Programmes must provide in-depth
knowledge – addressing the Board
Competency:
2(d)(v) Rainwater harvesting.
Ventilation and Ducting
Programmes must provide general
knowledge in ventilation and ducting.
Pumps
Programmes must provide good working
knowledge in pumps for foul water systems
– addressing the Board Competency:
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© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
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2(e)(ii) Pumps
Programmes must provide good working
knowledge in pumps for water services –
addressing the Board Competency:
2(d)(vi) Pumps
2
Interpret plumbing drawings and
specifications and produce
drawings and records of as-built
work
Credits 15
The outcome includes symbols, plans, and
manufacturer’s specifications, as-builts; and
excludes job costing but consideration of
factors is within core work of licensed
persons.
Mandatory
Programmes must provide in-depth
knowledge and practical skills in relation to
plans and specifications, and drawing asbuilts – addressing the Board Competency:
2(c)(i).Interpreting plans and specifications
2(c)(ii) Drawing as-builts
Programmes must provide good working
knowledge in relation to development of
patterns – addressing the Board
Competency:
2(c)(iii) Development of patterns
3
Understand and apply the
legislative responsibilities of a
licensed plumber
Programmes must provide good working
knowledge – addressing the Board
Competency:
Credits 15
2(f)(i) Acts and regulations
Mandatory
Programmes must provide in-depth
theoretical knowledge – addressing the
Board Competency:
2(f)(ii) Standards
2(f)(iii) Codes
2(f)(iv) Manufacturers’ instructions.
Programmes must provide in-depth
theoretical knowledge in limitations –
addressing the Board Competency:
2(i) Limitations on persons who do, or assist
in doing, sanitary plumbing work.
4
Make, install and repair flashings
and penetrations and repair
external envelope claddings that
are associated with plumbing
systems
Credits 15
Qualification Reference 2663
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
Programmes must provide in-depth
theoretical knowledge and practical skills –
addressing the Board Competency:
Mandatory
2(g)(i) Preservation of structural integrity
2(g)(ii) Prevention of damage to property
including weather tightness.
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5
Install, maintain and repair solid
fuel space heaters
Credits 5
Programmes must include in-depth
theoretical knowledge and practical skills in
relation to solid fuel space heaters and flues
– this supports addressing the Board
Competency:
Mandatory
2(g)(i) Preservation of structural integrity
2(g)(ii) Prevention of damage to property
including weather tightness
6
7
Install, maintain and repair
profiled metal roofing and wall
cladding
Includes installation of vapour barrier
substrates, metal and translucent systems
and cladding, and their maintenance.
Credits 30
Programmes must ensure work is to the
standard of the New Zealand Building Code.
Work with consideration of other
construction trades and related
services on site and practice
ethically
Includes skills appropriate for onsite and
customer communication.
Mandatory
Mandatory
Includes sequence of operation, building
services integration.
Credits 10
8
Apply material science and
selection, trade physics, and
environmentally sustainable
considerations for plumbing
systems
Credits 25
Programmes must provide good working
knowledge – addressing the Board
Competency:
Mandatory
2(a)(i) Estimation, measurement and
calculation using measurement systems
2(a)(ii) Application of formulae
2(a)(iii) Physics laws as they relate to
sanitary plumbing
2(a)(iv) Hydraulic principles
Programmes must provide general
knowledge – addressing the Board
Competency:
2(a)(v) Expansion and contraction
2(a)(vi) Corrosion protection
2(a)(vii) Water quality
2(a)(viii) Density
2(a)(ix) Energy transfer.
Programmes must provide in-depth
theoretical knowledge and practical skills –
addressing the Board Competency:
2(b)(i) Copper
2(b)(ii) PVC
2(b)(iii) Polybutylene (PB)
Qualification Reference 2663
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
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2(b)(iv) Polyethylene (PE)
2(b)(v) Mild steel
2(b)(viii) Polypropylene
2(b)(ix) Cross linked polyethylene
2(b)(x) Brass/bronze
2(b)(xi) Sheet metal
2(b)(xv) Use of tools and equipment.
Programmes must provide good working
knowledge – addressing the Board
Competency:
2(b)(xiii) Lead
Programmes must provide general
knowledge – addressing the Board
Competency:
2(b)(vi) Stainless steel
2(b)(vii) Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
(ABS)
2(b)(xi) Cast iron
2(b)(xiv) Glass.
Programmes must provide general
knowledge of environmental safety in
relation to practice as a plumber as well as
health and safety – this supports addressing
the Board Competency:
2(h)(iii) Environmental considerations.
Environmental sustainability includes
prudent use and longevity of materials.
9
Apply safe working procedures
and practices; identify and control
hazards in a working
environment; and isolate and test
for safety and explain the
limitations on plumbers carrying
out electrical work
Credits 24
Programmes must include practical working
at heights safety training and assessment,
evidenced by unit standards 23229 and
15757.
Mandatory
Programmes must include training and
assessment in confined spaces awareness,
evidenced by unit standards 18426 and
17599, and may also include unit standard
3058 or equivalent.
Programmes must ensure that graduates
have current first aid certificates, which may
involve basic first aid training.
Programmes must include in-depth
theoretical knowledge and practical skills in
relation to electrical safety for plumbers,
Qualification Reference 2663
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
Page 10 of 11
addressing the Board Competency
8. C. Responsibilities relating to health and
safety - electrical safety
Transition information
Replacement information
The qualification replaced the National Certificate in Plumbing (Level 4)
[Ref: 0202]
This qualification also replaces the following provider developed
qualifications:

MIT Certificate in Plumbing and Gasfitting (Level 4) [Ref: MN4497]
 Certificate in Plumbing and Gas fitting Registration (Level 4) [Ref:
OP4251]
The last date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced national qualification [Ref: 0202] is 31
December 2017, when it will be designated expiring.
The last date to meet the requirements of the replaced national qualification will be 31 December 2022
when it will be discontinued. From that date no results can be reported against the qualification.
People currently working towards the replaced national qualification may either complete the
requirements by 31 December 2022 or transfer their results to the replacement qualification.
It is anticipated that no existing candidates will be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements.
However, anyone who feels that they have been disadvantaged may appeal to The Skills Organisation.
For last dates of entry and last dates of award of the replaced provider developed qualifications; please
contact the relevant qualification owner.
The Skills Organisation
FREEPOST 5164
PO Box 24469
Royal Oak
Auckland 1345
Telephone 09 525 2590
Email
reviewcomments@skills.org.nz
Qualification Reference 2663
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
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