Policy
Statement

Sections 16(a) and (b) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 require the Medical Council to be satisfied that any person given registration to practise medicine in New Zealand is able to communicate effectively, and comprehend English sufficiently to protect the health and safety of the public and for the purposes of practising within a scope of practice in which they are registered.

Rationale

An objective test of English is the best way of ensuring that medical practitioners can comprehend and communicate effectively.

Requirements

The English test requirements apply to all applicants for registration or assessment for registration.

However, the Council’s experience is that graduates from New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the United States, Canada and some South African medical schools where English is the sole language of instruction, and where English is the graduate’s first language, are able to comprehend and communicate effectively in English and therefore are not required to pass an approved English test.
 
If graduates from these medical schools are reported as being below the standard expected in effective communication and comprehension of English, they may be required to undertake remedial English training and then pass an approved English test.

Candidates for NZREX Clinical would normally be required to pass the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) within two years (for new candidates) or five years (for repeat candidates) prior to applying to sit the exam.

Exemption criteria

A doctor may be exempt from passing IELTS if he or she provides:

• Evidence that he or she has worked continuously as a registered doctor in an organisation where English was the first and prime language for at least two years within the five years immediately prior to application; and
  
  
• The names and contact details of at least two senior doctors who speak English as a first language, and who can attest to the applicant’s ability to comprehend and communicate effectively in English in a clinical setting with both patients and professional colleagues. Referees will be contacted directly by Council.

Notes

• If concerns about English comprehension and communication are raised during NZREX Clinical about a candidate who has been exempt from passing IELTS, the candidate will be found ‘not yet competent’ and will be required to pass IELTS before sitting NZREX Clinical again.
  
  
• If comprehension and communication deficiencies are notified by an employer, Council may direct the candidate to pass IELTS or undertake remedial training in communication.
  
  
• Candidates for NZREX should use form NZREX5 to apply for an exemption from the IELTS. An application fee is payable.