Gas Fitter Licensing and Certification NZ: What You Need to Operate Legally
Gas fitting is one of the most tightly regulated trades in NZ. Every installation requires a Certificate of Compliance issued by a Certifying Gasfitter, PGDB practising licences must be renewed annually, and working without the right endorsements for your scope of work is an offence. Here's what you need and how to keep it current.
The key point
Gas fitting in NZ is regulated by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) under the Gas Act 1992 and the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006. There are two critical distinctions: whether you are a Gasfitter (can perform gas work) and whether you are a Certifying Gasfitter (can also issue Certificates of Compliance). Running a gas fitting business independently requires Certifying Gasfitter status — or a formal arrangement with one.
PGDB Registration Classes and Endorsements
Gasfitter
RequiredThe base registration class for anyone doing gas fitting work in NZ. Registered under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006 and Gas Act 1992. A Gasfitter can perform gas fitting work but cannot issue a Certificate of Compliance — they must work under or alongside a Certifying Gasfitter for CoC issuance.
How to obtain
Apply through the PGDB — requires completion of a recognised trade qualification in gas fitting and registration examinations. Endorsements (domestic, commercial, industrial) added separately.
Renewal
Annual practising licence renewal via the PGDB.
Certifying Gasfitter
RequiredThe Certifying Gasfitter classification allows you to issue Certificates of Compliance (Form 12) — legally required before a gas supply can be connected to any new or altered installation. This is the classification essential for operating a gas fitting business independently. Without it (or without a Certifying Gasfitter employed or subcontracted), you cannot complete gas jobs from start to finish.
How to obtain
Apply through the PGDB — requires Gasfitter registration plus additional experience and assessment to demonstrate competence to certify. Check pgdb.govt.nz for current requirements.
Renewal
Annual practising licence renewal. Certifying status requires ongoing demonstrated competence.
Domestic Endorsement
RecommendedAuthorises gas fitting work in domestic premises — residential homes, flats, and similar. Most gas fitting businesses operating in the residential market hold a domestic endorsement as standard. Without it, your scope is limited to non-domestic work only. This is the most common endorsement for sole operators focused on residential gas hobs, water heaters, and heating systems.
How to obtain
Applied for through the PGDB as part of registration or added to an existing registration.
Renewal
Maintained as part of annual practising licence renewal.
Commercial and Industrial Endorsements
RecommendedAuthorise gas fitting work in commercial premises (restaurants, commercial kitchens, retail) and industrial sites (manufacturing, processing plant). These endorsements expand your scope significantly and open higher-value work categories. Commercial gas fit-outs and industrial installations are larger, more complex jobs — and they command higher rates. If your business targets commercial clients, these endorsements are commercially essential even if not legally required for all commercial work.
How to obtain
Applied for through the PGDB — additional assessment may be required for industrial endorsement.
Renewal
Maintained as part of annual practising licence renewal.
Connecting gas without a CoC is an offence
Under the Gas Act 1992, connecting a gas supply to any new or altered gas installation without a Certificate of Compliance (Form 12) issued by a Certifying Gasfitter is a criminal offence. The CoC must be issued before the gas supply is connected — not after. Gas work carries a higher safety risk than most trades: a fault can cause fire, explosion, or carbon monoxide poisoning. The regulatory requirements exist for good reason and are not optional.
Certificate of Compliance (Form 12) Requirements
What must be recorded and retained for every gas installation
CoC records must be retained — the PGDB recommends 7 years as a minimum. If the record is lost (paper form in the van, folder that can't be found), you have no way to demonstrate compliance for that job. Recording CoC details digitally in your job management system means the record is retained, backed up, and searchable by address or customer name immediately.
Annual Licence Renewal Steps
Compliance Checklist for Gas Fitting Businesses
Keep Compliance Records Organised with TPT Gas Fitter
Log CoC details and pressure test records per job, track your PGDB licence renewal date, and store compliance documents against each installation — all from one system. Free for 14 days.