WHAT IS AN ACCREDITED BUILDING SURVEYOR?

Background information
The Accredited Building Surveyors programme is being undertaken to build consumer confidence and awareness of the importance of quality Building Surveyor work being undertaken within New Zealand; and to strengthen and enhance the profession.

Whether a homebuyer, seller, real estate agent, broker or anyone connected with the sector, they will recognise the value in working with an Accredited Building Surveyor around the country.

The programme will also benefit the individual accredited by this scheme as accreditation is the commencement point of a Quality Assurance programme. This establishes and demonstrates that the accredited individual accredited the knowledge, ethics and experience to set them apart within the Building Surveyor sector. The individual will carry an accreditation card that will demonstrate their commitment to the highest standard of work ethic and a dedication to professional improvement that will lift the profile and image of Building Surveyors in New Zealand.

WHO IS A BUILDING SURVEYOR?
For the purposes of clarification for this programme, a Building Surveyor is someone who carries out the following.

• Pre purchase inspections
• Safe and sanitary reports / Unauthorised works reports
• Problem solving and advice
• Investigation inspections
• Quality assurance Inspections
• Council building record inspections
• Maintenance inspections
• Asbestos sampling
• Lead sampling

WHY BECOME AN ACCREDITED BUILDING SURVEYOR?
The accreditation programme will be managed by the Building Officials Institute of New Zealand and is formal industry recognition of the professional ability, education and standard of competence required to undertake building survey inspections. Once accredited the individual will have undergone a stringent assessment procedure and will have successfully obtained accreditation as set out in the programme. The accreditation process will be managed by the Building Surveyors Accreditation Division (also referred to as the National Accreditation Division) of the Building Officials Institute of New Zealand. This process does not contravene the Privacy Act.

HOW DO I BECOME AN ACCREDITED BUILDING SURVEYOR?
An application must be received on the approved forms available from the National Accreditation Division, Building Officials Institute of New Zealand or can be downloaded below

Application
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All applications must be accompanied by the following:

• Application fee
• Evidence of relevant technical qualifications
• Demonstrated inspection knowledge and compliance with residential property inspection standard NZS4306:2005.
• Evidence of previous experience verified by current and past employers including a statutory declaration for self employed persons
• Evidence of a current police check no older than 12 months.
• Two photo quality passport photos (no larger than 35mm x 45mm) or digital photos in JPG, TIF or BMP format have been emailed to office@boinz.org.nz

Try the “Skills Match Test” at the end of the application form to understand your level of expertise in relation to becoming a building surveyor and the amount of training that you are likely to have to undertake.

This self-assessment profiling tool is based on a series of questions that match the different elements of the National Occupational Standards for a building surveyor.

Use the ‘Explanation of skills match elements’ which will provide you with detailed information about what is contained in each unit.

Accreditation process
Accreditations will be issued by the National Accreditation Division of the Building Officials Institute of New Zealand under the accreditation programme and will be renewable annually. An accreditation identity card and certificate will be issued after all details have been checked by the National Accreditation Division and a group of industry experts. Once this group and the applicant has undertaken their interview process and agreement has been reached to the accreditation designation they will receive formal notification from the Chief Executive of the Building Officials Institute of New Zealand.

On receipt of an application, an acknowledgement letter will be sent. If a complete application is lodged and no further information is required an applicant will be notified of any decision and a date for an Interview within 30 days.

If the applicant does not agree with the outcome of the process they will have further recourse through a procedure that is outlined in documents following this introduction section. All documentation relating to the accreditation programme will be available on the Institute’s website or from the National Accreditation Division.

Police Check Evidence
As part of the accreditation process there will be a requirement for a police check to be carried and accompanied with the Application form.

Further information to support your application
If the National Accreditation Division deems it necessary for further information to be submitted, the applicant will be notified in writing within 5 working days of receipt of the application. While the applicant will be notified of the decision within 30 days, they may also be offered the opportunity of an interview if this is deemed necessary by the National Accreditation Division.

Interview
If the National Accreditation Division requests an interview the applicant will be notified in writing and an agreed mutual time will be scheduled for the interview to take place. The expert group will conduct the interview in accordance with the National Accreditation Division’s policies and procedures.

Application denied or refused
If an application is refused on the basis of insufficient evidence or the expert group feel that there is insufficient proof to award accreditation, the applicant will be notified of this decision which will be final and binding.

Re-accreditation
Members are required to apply for annual re-accreditation during a period prior to the expiry of their accreditation. A reminder notice will be sent to applicants however it is the member’s responsibility to apply for re-accreditation.

The National Accreditation Division requires applications for re-accreditation to be received at least 30 days prior to expiry of their accreditation to ensure timely assessment of the application.

What is required to apply for re-accreditation?
An application for re-accreditation must be on the approved form obtained from the National Accreditation Division or the Institute’s website and must be accompanied by the following:
Application fee
Evidence of skills maintenance in the form of
- Provision of a certificate of successful participation in an approved Continued Professional Development (CPD) programme
- Continued performance as a Building Surveyor throughout the previous period handling issues such as complaints etc.

What is Continued Professional Development (CPD)?
Continued Professional Development (CPD) for the Accredited Building Surveyors’ industry is “the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill, and the development of personal qualities necessary for Accredited Building Surveyors in New Zealand.

Accredited Building Surveyors will be required to complete an annual CPD plan and a minimum of 40 points will be required per annum to retain accreditation. CPD points will only be recognised and awarded to courses that have been approved by the National Accreditation Division.

Removal from the register of Accredited Building Surveyors
The National Accreditation Division has the authority to remove accredited persons from its register at any time. As a result, it may notify the relevant government bodies of any breaches of the Code of Conduct and/or non-payment of fees due. If an individual is notified of their removal from the Register, the accredited person will be required to surrender their Certificate of Accreditation.

Accreditation classes

Building Surveying

Level 4
Subject matter expert i.e. destructive weathertightness survey, fire

Level 3
Unlimited scope

Level 2
No more than 3 storeys, up to 2000m² including visual non invasive weathertightness survey

Level 1
No more than 2 storeys, up to 500m²

Cadet
Under supervision for category 1 only

Fees

Accreditation of Building Surveyors Quality Assurance Manual
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