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Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board

Certifying

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.

New Zealand qualification 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 qualification pathway

You may be eligible for certifying plumber, gasfitter, or drainlayer registration in New Zealand if you:

  • have a formal overseas plumbing, gasfitting, or drainlaying qualification that is equivalent to or greater than the New Zealand Certificate (level 4) qualification.
  • have a minimum of six years plumbing or gasfitting, or four years drainlaying full-time work experience.

How to get your overseas qualifications assessed

Certifying plumber to certifying drainlayer pathway

To get registered through this pathway you will need to:

  • hold a current certifying plumber licence
  • have four years of full-time drainlayer work experience
  • have four years of drainlayer authorisation history with the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board
  • successfully complete the Certifying Plumber to Certifying Drainlayer Application.

As part of this application, you need to show that you have the required experience and knowledge of a certifying drainlayer. You will need to successfully complete an interview with one of our Board assessors.

The Pathway Information Guide outlines the steps you need to take to get registered under this pathway.


Submitting your application

If you have any questions or are ready to submit your application, please email us at: RFR@pgdb.co.nz

Flowchart of the overseas qualification pathway to registration

Under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (TTMRA), people who are registered or licensed to practise an occupation in Australia can transfer to the equivalent occupation in New Zealand.

Get Australian registration recognised

Forms and guides

You will need to submit a completed Certifying registration application form and a Ministry of Justice criminal record check. Email your completed forms and your supporting evidence as separate PDFs to registration@pgdb.co.nz.

Apply for certifying registration through Trade Login, or email your completed forms and supporting evidence to registration@pgdb.co.nz.

Apply through Trade Login (opens in a new tab)