Examination information

The Board's registration examinations are offered through an online platform delivered by Aspeq.

Candidates can get special assessment conditions if they have a disability or difficulty which they believe could impair their performance sitting the Board’s registration examinations.

The Boards plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying registration exams are delivered by Aspeq throughout the year, but advanced bookings are necessary.

Venues and timetables are listed on the ASPEQ website.

How to book your plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying exam with Aspeq

1. Register with Aspeq: https://pgdb.aspeqexams.com/registration
2. Log in to your PGDB trade log in: https://www.pgdb.co.nz/trade-log-in/
3. Download your examination eligibility report – You can find this under the exams tab, accessible from the top menu
4. Upload your eligibility report onto your Aspeq account
5. Once the eligibility has been validated, you will be able to book your examination.

Contact the Aspeq team on (04) 913 9812 or by email at info@aspeq.com if you need help.

Examination Eligibility Criteria Information Sheet

New Zealand Examination Venues

Registration Examination Information Guide

9192 Plumber Registration Examination Guide

9193 Gasfitter Registration Examination Guide

9197 Drainlayer Registration Examination Guide

Competencies Required For Registration And Licensing Examinations

The online certifying examinations are computer based and consist of 65 - 70 questions. 75% of the questions will be electronically answered, and 25% will need to be answered on a paper exam sheet.

The exams consist of a range of question types for the computer-based exams, including:

• Multiple choice/single choice (one correct answer from a range of possible answers)
• Inline (select a word/phrase to complete a statement)
• Numerical
• Multi-select (select the number of correct answer options)

The paper-based questions will require the candidate to draw, design or fill in answers on a diagram, much like the current plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying examinations.

The exam lasts for two and a half hours and costs $410.00 (GST inclusive).

Reference materials will be supplied to candidates as a PDF within the exam, if you require hard copies of the codes and standards when sitting your exam, you will need to apply for special conditions prior to booking your exam with Aspeq.

Where can I sit the exam?

The current Aspeq examination centre locations are:

• Every week in; East Tamaki, North Shore, Hamilton, Lower Hutt, Oamaru, and Christchurch
• Every week with limited seats in: Blenheim, Greymouth, and Timaru
• Twice a month in; Tauranga, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Whanganui, Havelock North, Motueka, Blenheim, Dunedin, Wanaka, and Invercargill
• Every three weeks in; Whangārei, New Plymouth, and Gisborne
• By arrangement in some overseas locations.

Can I sit the examination as many times as I need?

Yes. You can book your second attempt as early as the next available sitting. A three month stand down period will be enforced after a failed second attempt.

How can I book?

To book your examination you will need to:

• Register with Aspeq
• Download your examination eligibility report from your trade login and email it to info@aspeq.com
• After receiving confirmation your eligibility report has been loaded, log on to your Aspeq account, book and pay for your examination.

Certifying Examination Information Guide

New Zealand Examination Venues

9196 Certifying Gasfitter examination guide

9198 Certifying Drainlayer examination guide

9195 Certifying Plumber examination guide

Competencies Required For Registration And Licensing Examinations

Mock Exams

The mock exams available are designed to give you a clear understanding of the exam format and the types of questions you can expect. The mock exams do not contain actual questions from the official exam. They have been created as a practice tool to help familiarise you with the structure and difficulty level of the exam.

NEW: Online mock exam

Certifying mock exam questions - PDF

Certifying mock exam answers - PDF

Please note for the online mock exam you will not be able to answer the design questions, they are included as example questions and they do not receive a result at the end of the exam, refer to Certifying mock exam questions - PDF for the correct answer.

If you have a long-term or short-term health, physical, or learning disability that would significantly impair your ability to sit an exam, you can apply to the Board for assistance with your exam.

Assistance can be in the form of one or more of the following:

• an exam assistant - an exam assistant will read you the exam questions.
• a separate room – you will be able to sit your exam in a separate room to other candidates
• 30 minutes extra time
• hardcopy resources – you can receive hard copy resources instead of referring to resources on your exam computer
• verbal examination - a verbal exam allows you to have an assessor to read you the exam questions; and write down the answers that you verbalise. Your exam will be conducted in a separate room and you will be allocated 30 minutes extra to complete the exam.

How to make an application

Fill in and submit an application for special exam conditions. Your application must give reasons why you need special assistance which is supported by a current report from an independent, registered professional recommending the assistance that is required to address your specified needs.

Who can support your application for special exam conditions?

Literacy Aotearoa provides a support programme for candidates that struggle with literacy and numeracy, dyslexia, the use of English, or severe anxiety. Many learning support services offered by Literacy Aotearoa or other parties are free or funded by government – however fees may be payable if undertaken and no such funding is available.

Literacy can supply a report which confirms your need for special conditions.

Contact Literacy Aotearoa on 0800 678910 or email admin@literacy.co.nz for more information.

Special Assessment Conditions Application Form Fillable

Special Assessment Conditions Information Guide

Verbal Examinations Application Form

Verbal Examinations Information Guide

Overseas examination venues