How much CPD does an LBP need per year in NZ?
Short answer
An LBP must complete a minimum number of skills-maintenance activities each year — typically 4 to 6 'CPD activities' depending on the class held. Activities can include attending workshops, online learning modules, reading technical material with a reflection note, or attending product manufacturer training. The requirement is in the LBP Rules; MBIE audits a percentage of LBPs each year to check compliance.
Source: Licensed Building Practitioners Rules 2007. Updated May 2026.
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Check a builderKey facts
- Skills Maintenance activities, not specifically 'hours'
- Carpentry: typically 4 elective activities + 2 LBP-knowledge activities per cycle
- Site, Design, Foundations classes have similar requirements
- Each activity must be documented (date, topic, learning)
- Audit risk — random spot-checks each year
How activities count
Activities fall into two buckets: 'elective' (anything skill-relevant) and 'LBP knowledge' (rule changes, Code amendments, disciplinary decisions). Both buckets must be covered.
Online courses from BRANZ, ITAB, Master Builders, NZCB all count. Manufacturer toolbox talks (GIB, James Hardie, Carter Holt Harvey) count if documented. Conferences and trade shows count.
Documenting CPD
MBIE provides an online portal for logging activities. Each entry: date, topic, provider, duration, what you learned. Keep certificates as proof.
On audit, MBIE asks for the log. Auditees who can't produce it face a remediation period or suspension.
Knowing the rules is half the job. The other half is knowing who you're hiring. Check any NZ builder against the public record: company status, licensing and insolvency notices, from the official NZ sources.
Related questions
Sources: Licensed Building Practitioners Rules 2007; MBIE LBP Skills Maintenance. General information for NZ homeowners, not legal advice. Building rules change and vary by council, so confirm critical details on the official source before acting. Last updated 2026-05.