How endorsed plumbers and drainlayers self-certify

Owners can choose whether to have their project's plumbing and drainlaying either:

• self-certified by an endorsed plumber or drainlayer
• inspected by a building consent authority (BCA).

Plumbers and drainlayers must apply for an endorsement (formal approval to self-certify eligible plumbing and drainlaying) before they can certify eligible work complies with the building consent.

If work is not identified as self-certifiable in the building consent, you cannot later choose to self-certify it because an inspection is delayed. 

The building consent will list the authorised self-certifiable plumbing and drainlaying work.

Benefits of self-certification

If you are an endorsed plumber or drainlayer, self-certification gives you the option to self-certify (sign off) eligible work yourself, instead of waiting for a BCA inspection. 

This means:

• faster project completion with fewer delays
• more certainty and control over project timeframes
• better control over when work is completed and documented
• less time waiting for inspections
• greater professional recognition and reliance on the skills of endorsed plumbers and drainlayers.

What you need to self-certify plumbing or drainlaying

Self-certification for plumbing and drainlaying is voluntary.

Only endorsed plumbers and drainlayers can self-certify work under the scheme.

To get an endorsement to self-certify, you must first meet the scheme's entry requirements. You must:

• hold the required certifying registration and a current practising licence
• meet the scheme's eligibility and competency requirements
• be formally endorsed by the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board.

For more information on how to become endorsed:

Apply for endorsement – pgdb.co.nz

Your responsibilities as an endorsed plumber or drainlayer

If you self-certify, you are responsible for:

• ensuring the work meets all relevant Building Code requirements and complies with the building consent
• self-certifying only the type of work that can be self-certified
• completing and submitting the required documents to support a certificate of compliance
• keeping proper records of work, decisions, and statements around those decisions
• completing the certificate of compliance and sending it within 10 working days to the:
  • owner
  • BCA
  • Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board.

You are liable for the work that you sign off as self-certifiable plumbing and drainlaying instead of the building consent authority (BCA).

Standard BCA inspections apply if an amendment or minor variation causes work to fall outside the scope of self-certification.

Self-certification relies on your professional judgement and integrity. If you self-certify work, you take on the responsibility for its compliance with the building consent.

Self-certification is not suitable for work you did not supervise on-site. This is a condition of your endorsement from the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board.

Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Notice 2026 – gazette.govt.nz

Types of work that can be self-certified

Only certain types of plumbing and drainlaying are eligible for self-certification.

Plumbing and drainlaying must meet the eligibility requirements for the scheme, including limits on building height and design requirements.

What plumbing and drainlaying work can be self-certified 

Certificates of compliance for plumbing and drainlaying

When the plumbing and drainlaying work authorised for self-certification is complete, you must issue a certificate of compliance within 10 working days. The certificate confirms the work complies with the building consent.  

The certificate needs to be issued to the:

• owner
• BCA
• Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board

The certificate of compliance:

• replaces the need for a BCA inspection of that work
• must be included in the application for a code compliance certificate submitted to the BCA.

Certificates of compliance are in a prescribed form set by the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board.

Find out more about issuing certificates of compliance

Accountability for self-certified work

Self-certification does not reduce accountability. If work does not comply with the building consent and the Building Code:

• disciplinary action may be taken through professional regulation
• enforcement action may occur under building legislation
• consumer protections remain available.

Check the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board's information on self-certification for plumbing and drainlaying: 

How to self-certify work – pgdb.co.nz