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How to replace a principal certifying authority

There are two alternative ways you can change your principal certifying authority (PCA) under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979:

• You can apply to the Building Professionals Board for approval to replace the PCA, or
• You can obtain the agreement of the current PCA, the proposed replacement PCA and the person who appointed the current PCA to change the PCA.

Seeking approval of the Board

To seek the Board's approval to replace the PCA, please complete an Application to replace the principal certifying authority (PDF) (DOC).

If you seek the Board's approval, the Board must be satisfied it is appropriate in the circumstances for the PCA to be replaced.

The proposed replacement PCA cannot be appointed before the Board gives its approval in writing, and the council and the consent authority have been notified.

Notifying the Board, council and consent authority of agreement

Before 3 November 2008, the replacement PCA is required to notify the Board, the council and the consent authority (if this is not the council) of the relevant persons' agreement to the replacement of the PCA. Please complete a Notice of replacement of the principal certifying authority (PDF) (DOC).

The appointment to replace the PCA may only be made after the notice is given to the Board, the council and the consent authority.

From 3 November 2008, the replacement PCA must notify only the council and the consent authority (if this is not the council) of the relevant persons' agreement to the change of PCA. The Board will no longer need to be notified.

A notice only needs to be given to the council and the consent authority (if that is not the council) where the council and/or consent authority have not already agreed to, or been notified of, the proposed appointment of the new PCA(s).

The appointment to replace the PCA may only be made after the notice is given to the council and the consent authority.

Appointing more than one replacement PCA

Recent changes to legislation mean that if you have a development consent that allows you to carry out both building work and subdivision work, you need to appoint a PCA for each of these kinds of work.

In most council areas, only the council can be the PCA for subdivision work, but you can appoint either an individual accredited certifier, an accredited body corporate (from 3 November 2008) or the council as the PCA for the building work. There must be a clear and separate appointment of replacement PCAs for the building and subdivision work and notice to the Board, council and consent authority (where the parties agree to the replacements) must indicate who the PCAs are. Note that you can appoint the same PCA to do both the building work and the subdivision work. For more information Choosing a certifying authority.