Self-certification
Certifying plumbers and certifying drainlayers can apply for the self-certification endorsement through the Trade Login .
Self-certification is not automatically applied to your licence. Certifying plumbers and certifying drainlayers must first obtain a self-certification endorsement from the Board before self-certifying work.
Self-certification for plumbing and drainlaying
Webinar: How to get started in self-certification - 8 September 2026
Information for practitioners
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
Information for homeowners and consumers
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.
Check a property
Search the self-certification public property register to find a property and view all certificates of compliance that have been issued by an endorsed plumber or drainlayer under the Self-Certification scheme (Building Act 2004).
If you have any questions about the self-certification scheme please contact the Board at self-cert@pgdb.co.nz
Self-certification documents
Learn more about the self-certification process and download key documents.
Guideline
Questions and answers
MANAGE YOUR LICENCEGuideline
Questions and answers from webinar 2
MANAGE YOUR LICENCEGuideline
Published Questions and Answers
Latest self-certification podcast episodes
In this episode of Safe and Skilled, Steve explains how the Board's complaints process works and what practitioners can expect if a complaint is made about their work. He covers the steps from initial assessment through to investigation and possible disciplinary action, and explains why a complaint is not the same as a finding.
In this episode of Safe and Skilled, Steve explains the role of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board: what it does, what it is responsible for, and where those responsibilities end.
In this episode of Safe and Skilled, Steve gives a final reminder about the upcoming lead-free plumbing changes for potable water work and what you need to have in place before they take effect.
Latest self-certification news
Updates practitioners on the self-certification scheme for plumbing and drainlaying, including the November 2025 webinar and the law changes still needed.
Sets out the Board's response to the Government's self-certification scheme announcement for low-risk residential plumbing and drainlaying work.
Subscribe to Info Brief
the Board's monthly newsletter, to stay up to date or listen to the Board's podcast for practitioners, Safe and Skilled .