What is the LBP register and how do I use it?
Short answer
The Licensed Building Practitioner register at lbp.govt.nz lists every individual who's licensed to design or carry out Restricted Building Work in NZ. Search by name — no login, free, instant. The result shows licence number, classes held (Design / Carpentry / Site / Foundations / etc), valid dates, and any disciplinary history that's been published.
Key facts
- Free, public, searchable at lbp.govt.nz
- Managed by MBIE — official government source
- Search by name, licence number, or location
- Shows licence classes, current status, validity dates
- Disciplinary suspensions are public; ongoing investigations are not
How to read a result
Active licence: the person is currently allowed to do or supervise Restricted Building Work in the classes shown.
Suspended: the licence is on hold pending a process. Suspended LBPs cannot carry out RBW.
Cancelled / not licensed: the person doesn't hold an LBP licence. They may still be a builder for non-restricted work, but they can't sign off RBW.
Look at the renewal date. LBPs renew annually (or every two years depending on class). An expired licence is a no-go.
Disciplinary history
When an LBP is disciplined, MBIE publishes the decision on the register and in the LBP newsletter. The published page shows the LBP name, the breach, and the penalty (fine, training requirement, suspension, cancellation).
Most LBPs have a clean record. A history of multiple breaches isn't fatal — but it's information. Read the actual decision; some are technical paperwork breaches, others are serious quality failures.
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Related questions
Sources: Licensed Building Practitioners register — lbp.govt.nz; Building Act 2004 Part 4 Subpart 1. 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.