Find a principal certifier (PC)

About principal certifiers

Before you can start any approved building or construction work, you must find and appoint a principal certifier.

The principal certifier can be:

• a registered building surveyor
• your local council or
• a registered body corporate (certification company).

The principal certifier:

• carries out mandatory building inspections during the construction period
• issues the development certificate when all requirements are met.

For more information visit Building Commission NSW – Appointing a certifier.

Choosing a certifier

• You choose who you’ll appoint as a certifier.
• Your builder is not allowed to appoint the certifier or influence your choice of certifier.
• Certifiers are categorised according to their expertise, qualifications and experience. You may need more than one type of certifier. Learn more about what certifiers do.
• Find out if any actions have been taken against the certifier by looking them up in the disciplinary register. This list is separate from the Building Certifiers Public Register.

How to find a certifier

Online

1. Select the 'Search the register of certifiers' button.
2. Select 'Advanced search'.
3. Select 'Registered' from 'Registration Status'.
4. Enter a location.
5. Select from the Class of Registration:
   • Building Surveyor – Restricted (all classes of building)
   • Building Surveyor – Restricted (class 1 and 10 buildings)
     Note: Class 1 includes all houses and class 10 buildings are non-habitable building or structures. Find out more about building classifications.
   • Building Surveyor – Unrestricted
   • other expertise that you may require for your project.
6. Select 'Search'.
7. You can refine the search and select 'Update Search' to see more results.

Contact your local council

You can also find accredited certifiers, authorised to operate as a principal certifier by contacting your local council.

Contact