Introduction guide for
overseas-qualified tradespeople
February 2014
Table of Contents
Abbreviations .................................................................................................................. iv
Part 1 - Working in New Zealand ..................................................................................... 1
1.1 Eligibility to work in New Zealand ................................................................................. 1
1.2 Australian licence holders ............................................................................................ 1
1.3 Qualified in any other country ...................................................................................... 1
Part 2 - Background ......................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Restricted work .......................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Role of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board ................................................... 2
2.3 Registration and licensing ........................................................................................... 3
Part 3 – Minimum standards for registration ................................................................... 4
3.1 The minimum standards to become registered in the licensed class .................................. 4
3.2 The minimum standards to become registered in the certifying class ................................ 5
3.3 Gazette notices .......................................................................................................... 5
Part 4 – Minimum standards for registration explained ................................................... 6
4.1 The New Zealand Qualification Authority IQA ................................................................. 6
4.2 Evidence of being a fit and proper person...................................................................... 6
4.3 Evidence of work history ............................................................................................. 7
4.4 The Board’s written examination for licensed class applicants .......................................... 8
4.5 The advanced proficiency assessment for certifying class applicants ................................. 8
Part 5 – How to apply for registration if you have overseas qualifications ..................... 10
5.1 Applying for registration .............................................................................................10
Part 6 – Authorisation/licensing .................................................................................... 11
6.1 Requirement to hold authorisation or a licence ..............................................................11
6.2 Provisional licence .....................................................................................................11
6.3 Practising licence ......................................................................................................12
6.4 Limited certificate .....................................................................................................12
6.5 Exemption under supervision ......................................................................................12
6.6 Terms and conditions of authorisation/licence ...............................................................12
Part 7 – Fees .................................................................................................................. 13
7.1 Authorisation and licensing fees ..................................................................................13
7.2 Registration fee ........................................................................................................13
7.3 Disciplinary levy and offences fee ................................................................................13
Part 8 – Alternative pathway to registration .................................................................. 15
8.1 Further training in country of origin .............................................................................15
8.2 Completion of the National Certificate qualification in New Zealand .................................15
8.3 How to progress towards registration in the certifying class ............................................16
8.4 Section 52 exemption ................................................................................................16
Part 9 - PGDB contact details ......................................................................................... 17
ii
Appendices
Appendix 1 – Relevant guidance documents ..........................................................................18
Appendix 2 – Fit and proper person frequently asked questions ...............................................20
Reference list ....................................................................................................................22
iii
Abbreviations
APA
Advanced Proficiency Assessment
INZ
Immigration New Zealand
IQA
International Qualification Assessment
NZQA
New Zealand Qualification Authority
SMC
Skilled Migrant Category
TTMRA
Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997
iv
Part 1 – Working in New Zealand
This section contains information on:

checking your eligibility to work in New Zealand;

how an Australian licence holder may apply for registration; and

how all other overseas qualified tradespeople outside of Australia may apply for
registration.
1.1 Eligibility to work in New Zealand
If you are considering coming to work in New Zealand, it is your responsibility to ensure
you have the legal right to do so. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is the government
organisation responsible for making decisions about the right to work and live in New
Zealand. All registration applicants are encouraged to contact Immigration New Zealand
regarding their eligibility to live and work in New Zealand before starting the application
process. For further information, please visit the Immigration New Zealand website1.
1.2 Australian licence holders
If you are the holder of an Australian plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying licence you
may apply for registration and a practising licence in New Zealand in the equivalent class
under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (TTMRA). Please refer to the
guidance notes and application form for Australian licence holders on the Plumbers,
Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board’s (“the Board”) website2.
1.3 Qualified in any country other than Australia
If you have obtained a plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying qualification in any other
country besides Australia, please continue reading to find out more about how to become
registered in New Zealand.
1
2
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/
http://www.pgdb.co.nz/~downloads/TTMRA%202013-2014.pdf
1
Part 2 – Background
This section contains information on:

how plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are only to be carried out by authorised
tradespeople;

the role of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board; and

the difference between registration and licensing.
2.1 Restricted work
In New Zealand, plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are restricted trades that may only
be carried out by authorised people, as set out in the Plumbers, Gasfitters and
Drainlayers Act 2006 (the Act). The Act is part of a building industry legislative
framework that also includes, but not is limited to the Gas Act 1992, Gas (Safety and
Measurement) Regulations 2010, the Building Act 2004 and the Building Regulations
1992 including Building Codes. Please see Appendix 1 for a guidance list of the relevant
legislation you will need to be familiar with when carrying out work in New Zealand.
2.2 Role of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board
The Board is a statutory body continued under the Act that is responsible for protecting
the health and safety of all New Zealanders through an efficient and effective regulatory
system. The Board’s functions are set out in the Act and focus on registration, licensing,
competence, complaints and discipline, and court prosecutions.
While the Board is established by statute and required to carry out work to protect public
health and safety, it receives no central public funding or any general levies. All the
Board’s revenue is derived from fees and levies on the tradespeople who are registered
and licensed.
2
2.3 Registration and licensing
Being registered and being licensed are different.
A person may be registered once they satisfy the Board that they have achieved the
minimum standards of competence required to carry out plumbing, gasfitting or
drainlaying.
There are two classes of registration: licensed and certifying.

The “licensed” class is the first class of registration. Tradespeople registered in the
licensed class have demonstrated they possess the fundamental competencies
required to work in their trade.

The “certifying” class is the second and more senior class of registration.
Tradespeople registered in the certifying class have demonstrated they possess the
advanced competencies required to test and certify their own work and be
responsible for the work of those they supervise.
Registration on its own is not authorisation for a person to work in the trade. Once a
person is registered, they may then apply for a licence. A licence, which authorises a
person to carry out the restricted trade, helps the Board regulate the continued
competence of a tradesperson.
When a member of public engages a registered tradesperson who holds a current
practising licence, they can have confidence that the tradesperson is appropriately
qualified and able to carry out work safely and effectively.
The different types of authorisation and licences the Board can issue are discussed
further in Part 6.
For more information on the competencies required for each class of registration please
see the Competencies required for registration and licensing guide available on the
Board’s website3.
http://www.pgdb.co.nz/~downloads/Competencies%20effective%20from%2011%20Oct
ober%202012.pdf
3
3
Part 3 – Minimum standards for registration
This section contains information on:

the minimum standards to become registered in the licensed or certifying class;
and

the Gazette notices.
3.1 The minimum standards to become registered in the licensed class
If you wish to apply for registration in the licensed class you will need to show that you
meet the required minimum standards by providing the Board with:
A)

an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) result from the New Zealand
Qualification Authority (NZQA) concluding your qualification is equivalent to or
greater than level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework for the relevant
trade(s); and either

evidence that you have been granted New Zealand residence; or police
certificates that are no older than 6 months from your country of citizenship
(unless you can provide satisfactory evidence that you have never lived there),
and from any country you have lived in for 12 months of more (whether in one
visit or intermittently) in the last 10 years; and

evidence that you have a minimum of four years working full time in the
plumbing and/or gasfitting trade; and/or evidence that you have a minimum of
two years working full time in the drainlaying trade; and then
B)

pass the Board’s written examination for the relevant trade (reference 9192
licensed plumbing, 9193 licensed gasfitting, 9197 licensed drainlaying).
4
3.2 The minimum standards to become registered in the certifying class
If you wish to apply for registration in the certifying class you will need to provide the
Board evidence that you meet the following minimum standards:
A)

an IQA result from NZQA concluding your qualification is equivalent to or greater
than level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework for the relevant trade(s);
and either

evidence that you have been granted New Zealand residence; or police
certificates that are no older than 6 months from you country of citizenship
(unless you can provide satisfactory evidence that you have never lived there),
and from any country you have lived in for 12 months of more (whether in one
visit or intermittently) in the last 10 years; and

evidence that you have a minimum of six years working full time in the plumbing
and/or gasfitting trade; and/or evidence that you have a minimum of four years
working full time in the drainlaying trade; and then
B)

pass the Board’s Advanced Proficiency Assessment (APA).
3.3 Gazette notices
A registration and licensing Gazette notice contains regulations created by the Board that
have been approved by the Minister for Building and Construction.
The minimum standards for registration, detailed in section 3.1 and 3.2, are set out in
the following Gazette notices:

Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (Plumbing Registration and Licensing)
Notice 2010;

Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (Gasfitting Registration and Licensing)
Notice 2010; and

Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (Drainlaying Registration and Licensing)
Notice 2010.
To view the Gazette notices please see the Board’s website4.
http://www.pgdb.co.nz/legislation-policies/legislation.html
4
5
Part 4 – Minimum standards for registration
explained
This section contains information on:

the NZQA IQA;

the Board’s fit and proper person requirement;

minimum work experience requirement;

the licensed class examinations; and

the advanced proficiency assessment.
4.1 The New Zealand Qualification Authority International Qualification
Assessment
If you are applying for registration in the licensed or certifying class, you must have an
IQA of your plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying qualifications carried out by the NZQA.
The NZQA must assess your qualification at level 4 or greater on New Zealand’s
National Qualification Framework. Level 4 is the equivalent to the New Zealand National
Certificate qualification for plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying.
For more information about how to apply for an IQA, please visit NZQA’s website5.
Please refer to Part 8.2 of this guide for more information on the National Certificate
qualification and the alternative pathway to registration if NZQA concludes your
qualification is less than level 4 on the National Qualification Framework.
4.2 Evidence of being a fit and proper person
To be entitled to apply for registration under section 36, or a practising licence or
renewal under sections 44 or 51 of the Act, you must satisfy the Board that you are
a fit and proper person to be registered or licensed. The Board asks for this
information from every first time overseas-qualified and New Zealand qualified
registration applicant. If the information received raises concerns, the Board may
seek further information before reaching a decision about whether a person meets
5
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/international-qualifications/
6
the Board’s fit and proper person expectations. To view the Board’s fit and proper
person policy, please visit the Board’s website6.
To enable the Board to assess whether you meet the fit and proper registration
requirements, you must provide the following documentation, as well as answering the
fit and proper person questions in your application:

evidence of your residency in New Zealand, or

police certificates that are no older than 6 months from you country of citizenship
(unless you can provide satisfactory evidence you have never lived there), and from
any country you have lived in for 12 months or more (whether in one visit or
intermittently) in the last 10 years.
For more information on the fit and proper person requirement please see Appendix 2.
4.3 Evidence of work history
The Board requires you to provide evidence of having worked full time in the relevant
trade for a minimum period. Please see the time periods detailed in the table below:
Registration class
Minimum period
Licensed plumber
4 years
and/or licensed
gasfitter
Licensed drainlayer
2 years
Certifying plumber
6 years
and/or certifying
gasfitter
Certifying drainlayer
4 years
The duration of years specified are comparable to the minimum period a New Zealand
qualified applicant would work in the trade before qualifying to become registered in the
relevant class.
Examples of evidence you may provide could include, but is not limited to, pay slips, tax
summaries, accountant records, company ownership records, confirmation from
employer(s), and employment contract(s).
6
www.pgdb.co.nz/legislation-policies/policies
7
4.4 The Board’s written examination for licensed class applicants
Overseas-qualified tradespeople who meet the criteria to apply for registration in the
licensed class are required to sit and pass the Board’s examination(s) before they can
qualify to become registered. The Board’s 9192 licensed plumbing, 9193 licensed
gasfitting, and 9197 licensed drainlaying examinations are three-hour theoretical
examinations held in assessment centres throughout New Zealand in June and
November each year.
Please see the examination information guide and guidance documents 7 on the Board’s
website for further information. Please see the Board’s website for information on the
examination fees8.
It is now possible for overseas-qualified registration applicants to sit the Board’s
examinations from outside New Zealand. Please see the Board’s policy on examinations
for further information regarding the conditions for this9.
4.5 The advanced proficiency assessment (APA) for certifying class
applicants
Overseas-qualified tradespeople who meet the criteria to apply for registration in the
certifying class are required to sit and pass the Board’s advanced proficiency assessment
(APA). The APA is designed to test the practical and theoretical competencies required of
someone working in the certifying class through a written and oral test and a series of
project based tasks.
Successful applicants demonstrate their ability to use acceptable design, verification, and
installation processes, as well as test and commission their work in line with New
Zealand law. Applicants wishing to apply for registration in the certifying class may begin
the registration process from their country of origin, but must be in New Zealand to
participate in the APA.
Where possible the APA is conducted at a facility selected by the Board close to the
applicant’s residence and is carried out over three consecutive 5 hour days. Day one
consists of written and oral examination questions while on day two and three the
candidate will be required to complete several practical tasks. These tasks will also
include oral questions relating to the task being undertaken.
http://www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/exams.html
http://www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/fees.html
9
http://www.pgdb.co.nz/legislation-policies/policies.html
7
8
8
Please see the Board’s website for the fee associated with the APA 10.
If an applicant is unsuccessful at completing the APA they will be directed to pursue
registration in the licensed class.
10
http://www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/fees.html
9
Part 5 – How to apply for registration if you
have overseas qualifications
This section contains information on:

how to apply for registration in the class and trade you are interested in.
5.1 Applying for registration
Applying for registration is a two-step process:
1. Submit an overseas pre-registration application11 with the supporting
documentation for the relevant trade(s) you are applying for. Upon
receiving your overseas pre-registration application the Board will contact
you to provide information about the examination(s) or the APA you will
need to complete.
2. Sit and pass the Board’s examination(s) or APA then submit a completed
first time registration application12 for approval by the Registrar.
11
12
http://www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/working-internationally.html
http://www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/registration.html
10
Part 6 – Authorisation/Licensing
This section contains information on:

the requirement to hold authorisation to carry out work;

provisional licences;

practising licences;

limited certificates;

exemptions under supervision; and

terms and conditions.
6.1 Requirement to hold authorisation or a licence
All tradespeople carrying out sanitary plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying work are
required to be appropriately authorised or licensed. All authorisations and practising
licences are valid for a maximum of one year and expire on 31 March. If you wish
to continue working in the trade after the expiry of your licence on 31 March, you
need to ensure you have applied to renew your practising licence by 31 March. If
you do not renew by that date, you are not permitted to continue working until your
licence has been renewed. Types of authorisation and licences the Board issues are
explained in 6.2 - 6.5.
6.2 Provisional licence
Under section 38 of the Act the Board may issue a provisional licence to an overseas
qualified tradesperson who has submitted an overseas registration application. A
provisional licence allows a tradesperson to legally carry out work that is specified in the
licence while their registration application is being considered. This may be before they
complete the minimum standards to become registered in the licensed or certifying class
(pass the licensed registration examination or pass the APA). The Registrar may impose
any other terms and conditions that he or she thinks fit on a provisional licence.
For more information please see the Provisional Licence Policy on the Board’s website 13.
13
http://www.pgdb.co.nz/legislation-policies/policies.html
11
6.3 Practising licence
A registered person is entitled to be issued with a practising licence if they satisfy the
Board they meet the requirements under section 44 of the Act.
A registered person may then apply to renew their licence each year by satisfying the
Board they have met the requirements under section 51 of the Act. A practising licence
needs to be renewed annually on or before 1 April if the registered person intends to
continue working in the year ahead.
6.4 Limited certificate
Under section 14 of the Act the Board may issue a limited certificate to a tradesperson
who is enrolled with a training provider to complete the National Certificate qualification
in plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying. A limited certificate holder must work under the
supervision of a certifying tradesperson for the relevant trade and may be subject to
other terms and conditions the Board thinks necessary.
6.5 Exemption under supervision
The Act makes provision for people to work on an exemption under supervision under
sections 19, 21 and 25 to carry out plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying work. The
exemption under supervision is applied for by the certifying supervisor.
6.6 Terms and conditions of authorisation/licence
All authorisations and licences are subject to terms and conditions as set out in the
Gazette notices in section 3.3.
Please view the relevant Gazette notice to see what terms and conditions the
authorisation/licence you will be applying for is subject to. To view the Gazette notices
please see the Board’s website14.
http://www.pgdb.co.nz/legislation-policies/legislation.html
14
12
Part 7 – Fees
This section contains information on:

the authorisation and licence fees;

the registration fees; and

the disciplinary levy and offences fee.
7.1 Authorisation and licence fees
All of the Board’s fees are set out in the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board
(Fee and Disciplinary Levy) Notice 2013, which can be viewed on the Board’s
website15. All fees include GST.
Authorisation/licence type
Annual fee ($NZD)
Provisional licence
$101 per trade
Practising licence
$101 per trade
Limited Certificate
$45 per trainee, not per limited
certificate
Exemption under supervision
$101 per trade
7.2 Registration fee
To become registered in the licensed or certifying class there is a one-off fee of
$409 per trade. The registration fee includes receiving a certificate of registration
but does not include the annual practising licence.
7.3 The disciplinary levy and offences fee
Each year the Board collects one payment of each of the disciplinary levy and offences
fee from each registered tradesperson when they uplift their first practising licence each
year. The disciplinary levy and offences fee are for the legal costs the Board must cover
when investigating complaints and taking action against both registered and
unregistered tradespeople.
15
http://www.pgdb.co.nz/legislation-policies/legislation.html
13
If you are a registered person uplifting your first practising licence for the year, you
must pay the disciplinary levy ($170) and the offences fee ($86). One payment for
the disciplinary levy and offences fee is made to the Board per year irrespective of
the number of licences held by an individual. Therefore, if you are already
registered for another trade and have uplifted a practising licence for that trade you
will not pay the disciplinary levy and offences fee again if you uplift another licence
type within the same licensing year.
14
Part 8 – Alternative pathway to registration
This section contains information on:

how to increase your NZQA IQA result;

completion of the National Certificate in New Zealand; and

how to progress from the licensed to certifying class of registration.
8.1 Further training required in country of origin
If your IQA by NZQA has concluded that your qualification is less than the required Level
4 you will need to undertake further training to increase the level your overseas
plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying qualification will achieve when assessed by NZQA.
Alternatively, please contact NZQA about how you can appeal their decision if you
believe they may have misunderstood the structure and contents of your qualification.
8.2 Completion of the National Certificate qualification in New Zealand
If you are already in New Zealand you may enter into training to complete the National
Certificate qualification in plumbing16, gasfitting17, or drainlaying18 and pass the Board’s
licensed class examination to qualify for registration in the licensed class for the relevant
trade.
The National Certificate for plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying is the nationally
recognised qualification a New Zealand qualified person must complete (along with the
Board’s examination) if they wish to become registered in the licensed class. The
National Certificate qualification involves a series of theory and practical assessments
based on the skills and knowledge required to work competently in the trade. The
National Certificate takes approximately four years for a plumbing and gasfitting
apprentice to complete, or two years for a drainlaying apprentice. The National
Certificate is provided by various training providers throughout New Zealand as listed on
the Board’s website19.
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/nzqf/search/viewQualification.do?selectedItemKey=0202
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/nzqf/search/viewQualification.do?selectedItemKey=0201
18
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/nzqf/search/viewQualification.do?selectedItemKey=0077
19
http://www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/links.html
16
17
15
8.3 How to progress towards registration in the certifying class
Once registered as a licensed tradesperson, whether based on your overseas
qualifications or by completing the National Certificate, you may progress towards
becoming registered in the certifying class.
To become registered in the certifying class you will need to meet the following minimum
standards:

you must have held a licence in the licensed class for a continuous period of two
years or more under the supervision of a certifying tradesperson for the relevant
trade; and

you must have passed the Board’s three hour certifying examination for the
relevant trade(s).
8.4 Section 52 exemption
The Board’s expectation is that a person who wants to obtain an authorisation to do sanitary
plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying applies in accordance with standard registration and licensing
requirement (part 4 of this document). However, there is provision under section 52 of the Act for
the board to grant an exemption from the need to meet those requirements. Where there is good
reason the Board will exercise its power to grant an exemption under section 52, taking into account
the law, the guidance in the Exemption 52 policy, and the facts of the application before it.
For more information on section 52 exemptions and the application process please see the Board’s
website. http://www.pgdb.co.nz/legislation-policies/policies.html
16
Part 9 – PGDB contact details
If you have any queries regarding the information in this guide please call 0800 743 262
from within New Zealand or 0064 (4) 494 2970 from overseas. Alternatively you can
email registration@pgdb.co.nz, visit the Board’s website www.pgdb.co.nz or write to:
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board
PO Box 10655
The Terrace
Wellington 6143
New Zealand
17
Appendix 1
Relevant guidance documents
If you intend to work in New Zealand there is a legal framework that you will need to
understand. Some useful links are (please be aware that some resources are free to
download and others will have a fee):
www.legislation.govt.nz
Plumbing:
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Regulations 2010
Building Act 2004
Gasfitting:
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Regulations 2010
Gas Act 1992
Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010 and:
At the moment, until these are incorporated in the Gas (Safety and
Measurements) Regulations 2010, the Gas (Safety and Measurement)
Amendment Regulations 2012.
Building Act 2004
Drainlaying:
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Regulations 2010
Building Act 2004
www.dbh.govt.nz
This web site has all the technical documents that are referred to under the Building Act:

Type “building code compliance documents” into the search engine.
18

Review the titles and download those you believe are relevant. The document
that will assist you in understanding how compliance and building controls work in
New Zealand is the Building Code Handbook.
www.branz.co.nz
This site provides a document for plumbers and is an illustrative analysis of the
compliance documents and standards.

The Plumbing & Drainage Handbook
www.standards.co.nz
This site is the essential site for standards that are used for compliance.
Plumbing

AS/NZS 3500 Parts 0, 1, 2 and 4. Topics covered include water
services, sanitary plumbing heated water services and a glossary of
terms.
Gasfitting


NZS 5601.1 & .2 2010 Gas installations Part 1 & 2 Set
NZS 5255: 2013 Safety verification of existing gas installations
Other resources
The following sites are designed to assist you to develop your knowledge of the New
Zealand building industry and the requirements that those working in this industry will
need to be aware of. You may find these beneficial to prepare for sitting the examination
or APA.
1) http://ito.co.nz/resources/preparing-for-exams.aspx
This site contains information for the Skills Organisation (formally the Plumbers,
Gasfitters, Drainlayers and Roofing Industry Training Organisation) which supplies
the Plumbing and Gasfitting Essential Skills Book 1 & 2.
2) http://plumbingonline.unitec.ac.nz/index.php5
This site is for the training provider Unitec which has created a valuable online
learning tool called ‘Plumbing Online’ (also includes gasfitting and drainlaying).
Another helpful publication is the Plumbing Services Series that you will be able to
access through an online bookshop.
19
Appendix 2
Fit and proper person frequently asked questions
Why does the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board need to check
whether I’m a fit and proper person?
Section 36 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act sets out who can be
registered as a plumber, gasfitter, or drainlayer, and says that people applying to
be registered have to satisfy the Board they are a fit and proper person. Everyone
applying to be registered has to undergo a fit and proper person check.
What does being a fit and proper person mean?
A “fit and proper person” is someone who is suitable to do a job. There are lots of
jobs that have a fit and proper person test, for example, electricians, teachers, bus
drivers, and pilots. For the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board, it means
someone who is suitable to be registered as a plumber, gasfitter, or drainlayer.
When deciding whether a person is fit and proper to be a plumber, gasfitter, or
drainlayer, the Board looks at questions about character and health. The fit and
proper person test isn’t about whether the person has the technical skills to do the
job as that is considered separately.
What things about me are looked at as part of the fit and proper person
check?
The Board asks about the following matters when considering whether someone is a
fit and proper person to be registered:

criminal history

history of disciplinary offences for plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying in any
country

history of unauthorised work in plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying in any
country

physical or mental health conditions that might mean someone can’t do
plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying work to the minimum standard

anything else that is relevant.
Will I fail the check if I disclose a criminal conviction?
Not necessarily. It depends on the conviction and the circumstances. Each case is
assessed fairly and reasonably on its own merits.
20
What would happen if I lied in my registration application?
If you lied in your registration application, you might be committing an offence
under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006, and could be prosecuted
in a District Court and liable to a fine of up to $10,000. The Board might also decide
not to register you, or cancel your registration if you got it as a result of the lies
you told.
What is the actual process for assessing whether I am a fit and proper
person?
When you apply to the Board to be registered, you need to complete an application
form that includes questions about being a fit and proper person. Depending on
your answers, you may have to send the Board copies of things like your criminal
record. Once you have completed your application form and have all required
information, you send it to the Registrar. It’s your job to make sure that all
documentation is provided to the Board on time. If the Board has any concerns
about whether you are a fit and proper person to be registered, someone contacts
you to ask for further information and to give you an opportunity to make any
comments.
Once all information and comments are received, or if you do not provide any
information or comments, the Board makes a decision on whether you are a fit and
proper person. If it decides you are a fit and proper person, it advises you and
proceeds with the registration process. If it decides you are not a fit and proper
person, it declines your application and advises you of your right of appeal.
Isn’t there some law that says I don’t have to tell anyone if I have a
conviction?
Yes there is. The Board doesn’t ask you to disclose any information you don’t have
to. The Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004 should be consulted for full
information. Please see the Ministry of Justice website
(http://www.justice.govt.nz/) for further information.
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Reference list
Please find below a directory to online information referenced in this guide
Competency guide
http://www.pgdb.co.nz/~downloads/Competencies%20effective%20from%2011%20Oct
ober%202012.pdf
Continued professional development (CPD) http://www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/cpd.html
Examination information guide http://www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/exams.html
Examination guidance documents http://www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/exams/guidancedocuments.html
Examination policy http://www.pgdb.co.nz/legislation-policies/policies.html
Fees http://www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/fees.html
Gazette notices http://www.pgdb.co.nz/legislation-policies/legislation.html
Immigration New Zealand http://www.immigration.govt.nz/
Immigration New Zealand qualifications
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/formsandfees/formsandguides/lorq/def
ault.htm
National Certificate in plumbing
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/nzqf/search/viewQualification.do?selectedItemKey=0202
National Certificate in gasfitting
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/nzqf/search/viewQualification.do?selectedItemKey=0201
National Certificate in drainlaying
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/nzqf/search/viewQualification.do?selectedItemKey=0077
New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualificationsstandards/international-qualifications/
Provisional licence policy http://www.pgdb.co.nz/legislation-policies/policies.html
Registration information http://www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/registration.html
Supervision policy http://www.pgdb.co.nz/legislation-policies/policies.html
Training providers http://www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/links.html
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