Apply for certifying

Certifying registration

The certifying level is the highest class of registration.

It demonstrates you have the advanced competencies required to test and certify your own work and be responsible for the work of the people you supervise.

To be eligible for certifying registration, you must meet one of the below pathways to registration.

NZ experience pathway

To be eligible for the NZ experience pathway you need to have:

Passed the relevant certifying examination (2012- present)
Held an active plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying practising licence for 24 months* (contact registration@pgdb.co.nz to check you have met this requirement)
If you sat the certifying examination prior to 2012, please contact the Board as additional information is required

*The 24 month requirement is one of the minimum standard for registration. A plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer must hold an active plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer licence for a period of 24 months (730 days). The 24 month requirement does not start from the date you sit and pass your plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying examination or obtain registration, it starts from the date you are issued with a plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer practising licence.

Overseas trained pathway (Category A)

This option is for people with an overseas qualification that is deemed equivalent to, or greater than the NZ Certificate (Level 4).

To get full registration you must:

Complete an assessment of your qualification through Skills
Submit an Eligibility Application to the Board for consideration with evidence of 6 years working full time in the trade.
Pass the Board’s Advanced Proficiency Assessment (APA).

What is the assessment conducted by Skills:

You will need an assessment to assess if you have the same knowledge and skill equal to a person with the NZ Certificate (Level 4). This Recommendation for Registration assessment is conducted by the Skills Organisation.

To be eligible for a Category A assessment you must:

Hold a formal overseas qualification that you want to be recognised in NZ
Can show a minimum of 4 years of full-time experience in plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying.

Book your assessment with Skills here.

How do I apply for an Eligibility Application?

When you have successfully completed the Category A assessment you can submit a Certifying Pre-Registration Eligibility Application. Once approved you will then be eligible to apply for a temporary provisional licence for up to 12-month whilst you can work towards completing your APA. The Certifying Pre-registration Eligibility application form can be found here.

What is an APA?

An APA is an assessment and is your final step to becoming a certifier. To sit the APA, you will need to hold a Provisional licence.

To have an APA assessment please fill in the APA application form and send it to registration@pgdb.co.nz.

For details about APA assessment see our APA policy.

What forms do I need to submit to the Board to get registration?

You will need to submit the following forms when applying for registration:

Completed Certifying registration application form
A current New Zealand Ministry of Justice criminal record check (apply for your record here)

Email your completed forms and your supporting evidence as separate PDFs to registration@pgdb.co.nz.

Alternative drainlaying pathways

Certified plumber and with over 4 years full time experience in drainlaying

This option is for people who are registered and licensed as a certifying plumber who has 4 years of full time experience in drainlaying work.

You will require an assessment to assess that your knowledge and skills cover the Boards certifying drainlayer competencies.

To be eligible for a Category C assessment you must:

Be based in New Zealand
Have registration as a certifying plumber and hold a current certifying plumber practising licence
Can show a minimum of 4 years full time experience in drainlaying.

Book your assessment with Skills here.

What forms do I need to submit to the Board to get registration?

You will need to submit the following forms when applying for registration:

Completed Certifying registration application form
A Ministry of Justice criminal record check

Email your completed forms and your supporting evidence as separate PDFs to registration@pgdb.co.nz.