Renew, restore or replace a licence or registration

Key information

• If you do not renew your licence, certificate or registration by the due date it will expire, and you will no longer be authorised to work in NSW.
• We will send you a renewal form several weeks before the expiry date with details of how to renew. We may also send you an SMS reminder.
• If your licence is going to expire soon and you have not received your renewal form, contact us. It is your responsibility to renew your licence on time. 
• You can restore a licence or registration if it has expired less than 3 months ago. If it has expired more than 3 months ago, you may need to apply for a new licence or registration.
• If your licence is lost, damaged or stolen, you can replace it.
• Make sure any relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is up to date. 

You can apply to renew your licence or certificate online using the details found on your renewal notice.

You cannot apply to renew online, if:

• you have matters to declare since your last application, including criminal charges, insolvency matters, complaints or compliance issues, or
• you want to seek an exemption from continuing professional development (CPD) obligations, or
• you need to make changes to your licence other than your contact details and address.

If you're not able to renew your licence or certificate online, you can renew in person at a Service NSW centre.

You can renew your registration online using the details found on your renewal notice.

You are not eligible to renew online, if:

• you want to seek an exemption from continuing professional development (CPD) obligations, or
• you need to make changes to your licence other than your contact details and address.

Renewing in person

If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for renewing online, you can renew in person at your nearest Service NSW centre.

If we approve your application, we will post your new licence card to you. 

Find out why an application may be refused.

If your licence or certificate expired less than 3 months ago, you can apply to restore it for a fee online or at your nearest Service NSW Centre.

You can use the details on your renewal notice to apply to restore your licence, certificate or registration.

You will keep your existing licence or registration number.  Once restored, your licence or registration is considered as renewed from the date the licence expired.

If your licence or registration has been expired for more than 3 months, restoration may not be an option and you may need to reapply.

How to make a restoration application after 3 months

An application for the restoration of an authority (licence, certificate or registration) outside 3 months of the expiry date must:

• be made:
  • For building, trade and specialist licences - in person at Service NSW, accompanied by the renewal form and the prescribed fee.
  • For design and building practitioner registrations - by email to:
    dbpregistration@customerservice.nsw.gov.au  
• be accompanied by additional documentation outlining the circumstances that would justify the issue of the restoration
• nominate a term for duration of the authority (options are 1, 3 or 5 years). 

You will be contacted once the application has been considered by Building Commission NSW.

Check the status of your licence, certificate or registration on the  public register.

What happens next?

1. Once we have your completed renewal or restoration application, supporting documents, and fee payment, we will assess your application. Learn more about the assessment process.
2. Processing times for completed applications can change. If we request more information, the processing time will increase. Find out more about current processing times.
3. Check your inbox for any emails from Building Commission NSW.
4. If your application for a licence is approved, we will send you a new licence card. In the meantime, you can check the public register to see if your application has been granted.

If your application has been refused, find out why

Sometimes we do not approve applications. Find out more about reasons for refusal.

Replacement

If your licence or certificate has been damaged, lost or stolen, you can apply for a replacement at a Service NSW Centre or request by email for design and building practitioner registrations.

To replace your licence or certificate, you will need:

1. an Application for duplicate licence, certificate or permit form
2. payment for the fee.

To replace your design or building practitioner registration, you will need to:

1. Download the Notification of change of details - PDF form
2. Complete the form and attach to an email to:  dbpregistration@customerservice.nsw.gov.au