WHAT IS A LICENSED BUILDING OFFICIAL?

Background information
The Building Officials Institute of New Zealand is undertaking their own licensing programme for the benefit of individuals who are officials in the building sector in New Zealand. It benefits the individual licensed by this programme and therefore is the commencement point for a critical career pathway that establishes and demonstrates that the individuals licensed have the knowledge, ethics and experience that sets them apart within our sector. The individual will carry a license that equally demonstrates their commitment to their profession and their dedication to professional improvement, hence helping the building industry.

This licensing programme has the distinction, that building officials can demonstrate their commitment to the profession and have been selected to various categories based on their knowledge and experience, hence demonstrating the advancement of the profession in the field of their chosen profession whether it be as a building inspector or a plumbing and drain-laying inspector or one of the many specialised fields of vocation. As building control authorities are accredited, this licensing programme will be a vital tool in demonstrating staff competency and staff training, a vital component in the BCA Accreditation process and is approved by the Department of Building and Housing.

WHY BECOME A LICENSED BUILDING OFFICIAL?
A license from the Building Officials Institute of NZ is a formal recognition of the professional ability, education and standards of competence achieved by an individual whereby they apply to be placed in a category as shown as part of this introduction. Also this process does not contravene the Privacy Act.

HOW DO I BECOME LICENSED?
An application must be on the approved forms obtained from the Institute or can be downloaded here:

Application
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All applications must be accompanied by the following information:

• Application Fee (see bottom page 3)
• Evidence of qualifications obtained
• Evidence of experience obtained, verified by current and past employer, including a statutory declaration for self employed persons
• 2 Photo quality passport photo's (no larger than 35mm x 45mm)

Licensing Process
Licenses will be issued by the Building Officials Institute of NZ, under the National Scheme for a period of 3 years. A license is issued after all details have been checked by the national office and a group of industry and Department of Building and Housing experts. Once this group and the applicant agree to the license designation they will be notified by the Institute’s Chief Executive.

An acknowledgement letter is sent once your application is received; if a complete application is lodged and no further information is required an applicant will be notified of Institute’s decision within 21 days.

If the applicant either does not agree with the audit process as mentioned above, there is a process of recourse and that is explained in documents available on the Institute’s website or from the Institutes’ National Office. Any applicant wishing to move to an alternative license category will need to reapply with the necessary documentation and fees applicable.

Further Information to support your application
If the Institute deems it necessary for further information to be submitted, the applicant will be notified in writing within 10 working days of the Institutes receipt of the application. The applicant will be notified of the Institute’s decision within 21 days or may be offered the opportunity of an interview.

Interview
If Institute 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 interview panel will conduct the interview in accordance to Institute’s policies and procedures.

Application denied or refused
If your application is refused on the basis of insufficient or not recognised and approved qualifications, the institute has introduced a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, which may be available to those applicants who wish to pursue licensing. This service is not available within the Institute; the Institute can recommend appropriately qualified individuals.

Re-licensing
Licensees are required to apply for re-licensing every 3 years prior to their expiry of licensing. A reminder notice will be sent to applicants however it is the responsibility for licensees to apply for re-licensing.The Building Officials Institute of NZ requires applications for re-licensing to be received at least 30 days prior to expiry of their licensing to ensure timely assessment of the application.

What is required to apply for re-licensing?
An application for re-licensing must be in the approved form provided from the Institute’s National Office or the Institute’s website and must be accompanied by the following information;

• Application Fee
• 2 Photo quality passport photo’s (no larger than 35mm x 45mm)
  Alternatively digital copies can be emailed to office@boinz.org.nz
• Evidence of Skills Maintenance in the form of Providing a certificate of successful participation in an approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme.

What is continuing Professional Development (CPD)?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for our industry is “the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill, and the development of personal qualities necessary for the undertaking of professional and technical duties related to working as a Building Control Official. 30 points per annum with 90 over 3 years being a minimum to retain their license and will be only for those courses that have been approved by the Institute’s Training Academy.

Removal from Register of Licensed Building Control Officials
The Building Officials Institute of NZ has the authority to remove licensed persons from its register and notify the relevant government bodies of breaches of the Code of Conduct, non-payment of due fees. The licensed person will be required to surrender their Certificate of Licensing, should this action to be taken.

Levels of Licensing
The Institute provides for three levels of licensing. These are described below including details of the qualifications and experience requirements at each level.

Licensing is based on the following categories.

Fees

$125.00 + GST for Institute Members
$175.00 + GST for non- members
$575.00 + GST minimum for interview Application process plus whatever actual costs for this process to be actioned i.e. travel, venue etc.
$100.00 + GST for Interview or Assessment Postponement

Information is available in more detail under the following sections:

Section 1 - Forward & Information
Section 2 - General Information
Section 3 - General Provisions
Section 4 - Conflict of Interest
Section 5 - Licensing Designations
Section 6 - Assessments
Section 7 - Assessment Panels
Section 8 - Evidence
Section 9 - Interviews
Section 10 - Appeals
Section 11 - Complaints and Non-Compliance Management
Section 12 - Decisions of the Institute
Section 13 - Reviews of Standards, Policies and Procedures
Section 14 - Continuing Professional Development
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