Is licensing for me? Design 1, 2 and 3
You can apply to be licensed in one of these three classes (Design 1, 2 and 3) if you work as a competent designer in the building and construction industry.
Each of the Design classes relates to one of three categories of buildings. The building categories are explained below, and in the booklet, Understanding the building categories, at the back of this guide. You can also read a copy of this booklet online.
The standards for the Design classes cover the skills, knowledge and experience expected of a competent designer. You should have sound knowledge and practical experience in the building categories that relate to the class you are applying to be licensed in.
You should apply to be licensed in the Design class that best represents the work you typically do. Your assessor will be looking for broad evidence of your competence - they will consider whether your application demonstrates, on the whole, the practical experience, skills and knowledge to meet the standard of competence required for the relevant class.
What do I need to know?
The standard for each of the Design classes is made up of a number of 'competencies' - areas that reflect the depth and breadth of experience and knowledge required by a competent person to be licensed in the class they apply for.
The standards for the Design 1, 2 and 3 classes are explained below.
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Design 1 class
If you design Category 1 buildings, this is the class you should apply to be licensed in.
Category 1 buildings are detached or semi-detached residential dwellings of limited complexity, of conventional timber-frame or masonry construction, with low - or medium-risk envelope design. (See the accompanying booklet Understanding the building categories for details.)
You must work within the scope of your own competence, and recognise when other design skills are required.
Design 1 standard
The skills and knowledge required to be licensed in this class include but are not limited to the following:
- Comprehend and apply knowledge of the regulatory environment of the building construction industry. This includes understanding of the purposes of: the Building Act, Building Code and Regulations; Code compliance documents; building-related legislation; building and resource consent processes; contracts; the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme; key roles in the design and building process; and the importance of operating within your own competence.
Note: Your application pack will include a booklet that includes guidance about the regulatory environment.
- Manage the building design process. This includes areas such as: planning and organising design projects; and using quality assurance techniques, relevant to Category 1 buildings.
- Establish design briefs and scope of work and prepare the preliminary design. This includes areas such as: brief and scope of work; site investigations, existing conditions; design practice and methods, building elements and construction processes; environmental and social impacts; design drawings and outline specification; and information on timelines and costs, relevant to Category 1 buildings.
- Develop, design and produce construction drawings and documentation. This includes areas such as: design standards, specific design solutions; principles of building technology and performance; specialist design input coordination; developed design drawings and specifications; conditions of contract; detailed drawings, specifications and documentation, relevant to Category 1 buildings.
View the full details of the standard for the Design 1 class.
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Design 2 class
If you design Category 1 or 2 buildings, this is the class you should apply to be licensed in.
Category 2 buildings are of moderate complexity for residential or commercial use. (See the accompanying booklet Understanding the building categories for details.)
Note: A person licensed in Design 2 may also design Category 1 buildings you do not have to apply to be licensed in both classes. However, you must work within the scope of your own competence, and recognise when other design skills are required.
Design 2 standard
The skills and knowledge required to be licensed in this class include but are not limited to the following:
- Comprehend and apply knowledge of the regulatory environment of the building construction industry. This includes understanding of the purposes of: the Building Act, Building Code and Regulations; Code compliance documents; New Zealand Standards; building-related legislation; building and resource consent processes; contracts; the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme; key roles in the design and building process; and the importance of operating within your own competence.
- Manage the building design process. This includes areas such as: planning and organising design projects; and using quality assurance techniques, relevant to Category 1 and 2 buildings.
Note: Your application pack will include a booklet that includes guidance about the regulatory environment.
- Establish design briefs and scope of work and prepare the preliminary design. This includes such areas as: brief and scope; site investigations, existing conditions; design practice and methods, building elements and construction processes; environmental and social impacts; design drawings and outline specification; and information on timelines and costs, relevant to Category 1 and 2 buildings.
- Develop, design and produce construction drawings and documentation. This includes such areas as: design standards; specific design solutions; building technology and performance; specialist design input coordination; developed design drawings and specifications; conditions of contract; procurement methods; and detailed drawings, specifications and documentation, relevant to Category 1 and 2 buildings.
- Explain the processes of construction observation and contract administration. This includes such areas as: construction observation; contract administration; and occupation requirements, relevant to Category 1 and 2 buildings.
View the full details of the standard for the Design 2 class.
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Design 3 class
If you design Category 1, 2 or 3 buildings, this is the class you should apply to be licensed in.
Category 3 buildings pose a high risk to occupants, or are of high community importance, or have been assigned Category 1 status under the Historic Places Act 1993. (See the accompanying booklet Understanding the building categories for details.)
Note: A person licensed in Design 3 may also design Category 1 and 2 buildings – you do not have to apply to be licensed in the other classes. However, you must work within the scope of your own competence, and recognise when other design skills are required.
Important note: If you are a Registered Architect or a Chartered Professional Engineer you are already treated as if you are licensed in the Design 3 class because of your existing registration.
The Department of Building and Housing will ensure consumers are aware of this provision and know where to find the Registered Architects and CPEng registers. Their websites are http://www.nzrab.org.nz and http://www.ipenz.org.nz.
Further, Registered Architects and Chartered Professional Engineers are not allowed to apply to be licensed in the Design 3 class because they are not allowed to duplicate their registration.
Design 3 standard
The skills and knowledge required to be licensed in this class include but are not limited to the following:
- Comprehend and apply knowledge of the regulatory environment of the building construction industry. This includes understanding of the purposes of: the Building Act, Building Code and Regulations; Code compliance documents; New Zealand Standards; building-related legislation; building and resource consent processes; contracts; the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme; key roles in the design and building process; and the importance of operating within the scope of your own competence.
Note: Your application pack will include a booklet that includes guidance about the regulatory environment.
- Manage the building design process. This includes areas such as: planning and organising design projects; and using quality assurance techniques, relevant to Category 1, 2 and 3 buildings.
- Establish design briefs and scope of work and prepare the preliminary design. This includes areas such as: brief and scope; site investigations, existing conditions; design practice and methods, building elements and construction processes; environmental and social impacts; design drawings and outline specification; and information on timelines and costs, relevant to Category 1, 2 and 3 buildings.
- Develop, design and produce construction drawings and documentation. This includes areas such as: design standards, specific design solutions; building science, technology and building performance; specialist design input coordination; developed design drawings and specifications; conditions of contract; procurement methods; and detailed drawings, specifications and documentation, relevant to Category 1, 2 and 3 buildings.
- Provide construction observation and contract administration. This includes areas such as: construction observation; contract administration; and occupation requirements, relevant to Category 1, 2 and 3 buildings.
View the full details of the standard for the Design 3 class.