Design licence in area of practice 3
If you design Category 3 buildings, then the Design licence in area of practice 3 is for you.
An LBP with a Design licence in area of practice 3 may also design Category 1 and 2 buildings – you do not have to apply to be assessed in all areas of practice. However, LBPs must only undertake work they are competent to do, and recognise when other skills are required.
Registered Architects are treated as if they have a Design licence in area of practice 3 because of their existing registration. They cannot be licensed in Design. Similarly, Chartered Professional Engineers are treated as if they are licensed in Design area of practice 3 and Site area of practice 3. Registered Architects and Chartered Professional Engineers cannot be licensed in Design or Site.
More information, including where to find the Registered Architects and CPEng registers, is at www.dbh.govt.nz/lbp-register
What do I need to know to get my Design licence in area of practice 3?
The Design licence in area of practice 3 has four competencies – areas that reflect the skills and knowledge required by a competent person to be licensed in this class.
Your assessor will look for broad evidence of your competence. It is not a tick the box exercise - they want to see whether, overall, you can demonstrate the practical experience, skills and knowledge needed.
The following table shows the types of skills and knowledge for a Design licence in area of practice 3. You will not need to show your skills and knowledge in all these areas – remember your assessor is looking for broad evidence of your competence.
| Competency |
Examples of skills and knowledge |
| Understand and apply knowledge of the regulatory environment of the building construction industry |
Show your understanding of:
- and apply the Building Act and Regulations, the Building Code and Compliance Documents
- the relevance of building-related legislation
- contracts for engagement between the designer and the client, and construction contracts
- the key features of the LBP scheme
- the roles and responsibilities of key parties
- the building and resource consent processes
- the importance of operating within the scope of your competence and recognising when other expertise is needed.
Your application pack will include guidance about the regulatory environment.
|
| Manage the building design process |
- plan, schedule and organise design projects
- use quality assurance techniques
- observe construction and administer contracts
- advise building owners on occupation requirements.
|
| Establish design briefs and scope of work and prepare the preliminary design |
Work with your client to establish the brief and scope of your work
- carry out site investigations
- understand design practice and methods, building elements and construction processes
- document environmental and social impacts
- present preliminary design drawings, outline specifications, timelines and costs.
|
| Develop, design and produce construction drawings and documentation • Apply design standards, identify and produce design solutions |
- apply building science, building technology and performance knowledge
- work with specialist design inputs
- prepare developed design drawings and specifications
- update clients on timelines and costs
- understand conditions of contract and alternative methods of procurement
- manage and produce detailed drawings, specifications and documentation for building consent and construction.
|
View up-to-date details of the competencies for Design area of practice 3, with examples, are at www.dbh.govt.nz/lbp-rules-2007