The Medical Council of New Zealand has set requirements for doctors to meet before they may be registered to work in New Zealand within a general scope of practice.

Initially registration within a provisional general scope of practice will be granted to doctors who have the prescribed qualifications, and who are considered fit for registration and competent to practise. The doctor will work on a provisional general scope for up to two years, subject to conditions to satisfy the Council that all requirements for registration in a general scope are met.

The exception to this is for graduates from New Zealand or Australian university medical schools who have completed their internships in New Zealand or Australia, who will be granted registration in a general, and a vocational scope if appropriate.

If a doctor fails to satisfy the conditions on his or her practice as required by Council to ensure competent practise within a general scope of practice within two years, the Registrar will refer the doctor’s application for an APC to the Council under section 27(1)(b) of the Act.

This extract must be read with reference to Council’s Policy on registration in New Zealand.  

The Council has determined that doctors who have a primary medical degree from a competent authority are eligible for registration subject to satisfying Council's English policy requirements and section 13 of the HPCAA.

Council assesses a competent authority by comparing the Council's systems with those of other jurisdictions.  All criteria must be satisfied to be recognised as a competent authority.

Eligibility for registration

A doctor who:

• holds a primary medical degree from a university medical school accredited by a competent authority (General Medical Council or Irish Medical Council), and
• has one year of general medical experience, and
• working under the jurisdiction of that authority

will be eligible for registration in a provisional general scope of practice subject to section 13 of the HPCAA 2003.

Progress to general scope

For the purpose of assessing and confirming his or her competence to practise within a general scope of practice, a doctor will be registered within a provision general scope for up to two years, with the following conditions, to work:

• in a New Zealand hospital, general practice, educational institution or other organisation approved by the Medical Council,

• under supervision of a registered doctor approved by the Council, and

• for at least one year full time or equivalent.

Council may authorise a change of scope from a provisional general scope to a general scope once the doctor has satisfied the conditions in the provisional general scope and has:

• completed one year working within a provisional general scope, and

• received three consecutive satisfactory supervisor’s reports, and

• been recommended for registration within a general scope of practice by his or her supervisor.

Note

Failure to meet conditions on practice while registered within a provisional general scope of practice

If a doctor fails to satisfy the conditions on his or her practice as required by Council to ensure competent practice within a general scope of practice within two years, the Registrar will refer the doctor’s application for an APC to the Council under section 27(1)(b) of the Act.

The Council may:

• extend registration within a provisional general scope for a further period, or

• propose to either place restrictions on, or decline to issue the doctor’s APC under section 28, and give the doctor an opportunity to make written submissions and be heard by Council, and

• then make a decision whether to issue the APC.

Recertification requirements

Once registered to practise within a general scope of practice the doctor is no longer required to work under supervision, but instead must establish a collegial relationship and meet requirements for continuing professional development and recertification in order for an annual practising certificate to be issued.