Introduction

Doctors who wish to register to work in New Zealand within a general scope of practice must first become registered within a provisional general scope of practice.

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

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

Provisional general scope

To qualify for provisional general scope, applicants must:

• have the prescribed qualifications
• be considered fit for registration  
• be competent to practise.

Doctors registered in a provisional general scope are required to work under supervision in approved positions for 1-2 years to qualify for registration in a general scope.

During this time the supervisors will assess whether the doctors are able to work at the standard required in the New Zealand health system.

General scope

Once doctors have satisfied Council that they have fulfilled all conditions while working within a provisional general scope, they can apply for registration within a general scope.

Failure to satisfy the conditions for general scope.

Recertification requirements for general scope

Qualifications for general scope of practice

To qualify for registration within a general scope of practice all doctors must pass (or be exempt from) the IELTS English test in accordance with Council’s English language requirements . In addition, doctors must satisfy one of the following options:

Click on the individual options for further information on conditions.

Option

Doctors must…

Option 1

Hold a primary medical degree from a New Zealand or Australian university medical school.

Option 2

• Hold a primary medical degree from a university medical school accredited by a competent authority, and
• Have one year of general medical experience in New Zealand or overseas.

Option 3

• Hold a primary medical degree from a university medical school listed in the WHO Directory of Medical Schools or the ECFMG FAIMER Directory, and
• Have passed USMLE Steps 1 and 2, (CK) or PLAB Part 1 or AMC MCQ, and NZREX Clinical within the last five years

Option 4

• Hold a primary medical degree from a university medical school listed in the WHO Directory of Medical Schools and
• Hold full registration and have worked for 36 months continuously (for at least 30 hours per week) during the 48 months prior to application, in a health system comparable to New Zealand as prescribed by Council.