Permits and licensing · New Brunswick
Renovation permits and contractor licences in New Brunswick
In New Brunswick, the Province’s Technical Inspection Services licenses electricians, plumbers and their contractors and handles electrical wiring and plumbing permits. Building permits and inspections are the responsibility of your local building department or regional service commission.
Regulators and licensing bodies in New Brunswick
These official bodies license contractors, oversee safety or issue permits in New Brunswick.
Technical Inspection Services
Regulates technical systems such as electrical, plumbing and propane installations, licenses tradespeople and contractors, and carries out investigations.
Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification program
Runs apprenticeship training and certification. Construction electrician and plumber are compulsory occupations.
Local building departments and regional service commissions
Issue building permits and carry out inspections. Regional service commissions provide building inspection services to all rural districts and some local governments.
Trades that need a licence in New Brunswick
Electrical work
An electrical contractor licence is required to obtain electrical wiring permits and to carry out an electrical installation. Permits must be obtained before construction begins and before a utility power connection is made.
Sources:New Brunswick – Electrical licences(opens in a new tab)New Brunswick – Electrical wiring permits(opens in a new tab)
Plumbing
Plumbers need a New Brunswick certificate of qualification and must work for a licensed plumbing contractor, and a plumbing contractor must buy the plumbing permit before work starts.
Sources:New Brunswick – Plumbing licences(opens in a new tab)New Brunswick – Plumbing permits(opens in a new tab)
Gas and fuel-burning appliances
Class A compressed gas licences authorize holders to install, service or repair specified propane installations, including in private dwellings.
Sources:New Brunswick – Class A compressed gas licences(opens in a new tab)
Certified trades
Construction electrician and plumber are compulsory occupations among those designated under New Brunswick’s Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Act.
Sources:New Brunswick – Fast facts about skilled trades (designated occupations)(opens in a new tab)
Building and renovation permits in New Brunswick
The Province sets the regulatory framework, but issuing building permits and doing inspections is the responsibility of the local building department. Local governments provide building inspection, and regional service commissions provide it to rural districts and some local governments. Moncton, for example, requires a building and development permit for renovations and a plumbing permit for all plumbing work.
Sources:New Brunswick – Building code(opens in a new tab)New Brunswick – Land use planning and regulations for property owners(opens in a new tab)Moncton – Building and development permits(opens in a new tab)
Permit information from large municipalities
Before you hire a contractor in New Brunswick
Practical checks you can do yourself, using official tools where they exist.
Check that the electrical contractor appears on the Province’s list of licensed electrical contractors.
Official lookup: New Brunswick – Licensed electrical contractors(opens in a new tab)
Check that the plumbing contractor appears on the Province’s list of licensed plumbing contractors.
Official lookup: New Brunswick – Licensed plumbing contractors(opens in a new tab)
Make sure the contractor gets the wiring or plumbing permit before work starts.
For propane work, hire someone with the right compressed gas licence.
Ask your local government or regional service commission whether your project needs a building permit.
Sources for renovation permits and licences in New Brunswick
Every fact on this page comes from these official sources.
- New Brunswick – Technical inspections(opens in a new tab)
- New Brunswick – Fast facts about skilled trades (designated occupations)(opens in a new tab)
- New Brunswick – Building code(opens in a new tab)
- New Brunswick – Land use planning and regulations for property owners(opens in a new tab)
- New Brunswick – Electrical licences(opens in a new tab)
- New Brunswick – Electrical wiring permits(opens in a new tab)
- New Brunswick – Plumbing licences(opens in a new tab)
- New Brunswick – Plumbing permits(opens in a new tab)
- New Brunswick – Class A compressed gas licences(opens in a new tab)
- Moncton – Building and development permits(opens in a new tab)
Find licensed pros
Compare local pros for the regulated trades in this guide, then confirm their licence with the regulator before you hire.
Renovation permits in other provinces and territories
Planning a renovation?
Describe your project once and hear from local pros. Ask each one for their licence and permit details before you hire.