Self-certification

To apply for self-certification endorsement from 7 September 2026 you must:

• Hold a current certifying plumber or certifying drainlayer licence
• Complete the Board's online self-certification training
• Have appropriate insurance
• Have appropriate business systems and recordkeeping processes
• Pay the application fee and audit levy of $2,260.

Self Certification Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs) Granny Flats Vs Self Certification Overview For Plumbers And Drainlayers Self-certification Endorsement Policy Self Certification What You Need To Know Before Applying

If your plumbing or drainlaying work needs a building consent, you can choose how eligible work is signed off. You can use an endorsed plumber or drainlayer who can self-certify their work, or you can have the work inspected by a building consent authority (BCA).

Only plumbers and drainlayers who have an endorsement can choose to self-certify that eligible work complies with the building consent. Search for an endorsed plumber or drainlayer near you on our public register.

Before you engage a plumber or drainlayer

• Search for an endorsed plumber or drainlayer, or check whether a plumber or drainlayer can self-certify work, on our public register.
• Ask the plumber or drainlayer to confirm that they hold civil liability insurance.
• On the building consent application:
  • list the work proposed to be self-certified
  • provide the name and registration number of the self-certifying plumber or drainlayer, if known.

After you engage a plumber or drainlayer

• Before the work begins, let your BCA know the name and registration number of the self-certified plumber or drainlayer (if you haven’t already provided this in the building consent application).
• Keep the certificate of compliance and supporting documents issued by the plumber or drainlayer.
• Make sure the certificate of compliance is included in the application for a code compliance certificate.
• Keep the code compliance certificate provided by the BCA.

For more information, visit MBIE's website.

Webinar: How to get started in self-certification - 8 September 2026

Questions and answers coming soon.

Webinar: Self-certification for plumbing and drainlaying - 18 May 2026

Questions and answers from webinar 2

Webinar: Self-certification for plumbing and drainlaying - 17 November 2025

Questions and answers from webinar

Self Certification Webinar 17.11.2025 Q And As Self Certification Webinar 18.05.2026 Q And As

The Board would like to thank all those who took the time to provide their feedback and respond to the Self-certification: proposal on endorsement requirements, conditions, fees, and audit levy from 24 June to 13 July 2026.

The Board received 170 submissions, which were carefully considered when finalising the details of the endorsement settings, application fee and audit levy.

An outcome of the consultation, including a summary of the feedback received, has been published.

The Notice is now also published.

Self Certification Notice Consultation Document June 2026 Self Certification Consultation Summary