Introduction

A vocational scope of practice is recognition from the Council that the doctor can:

• practise as a specialist
• work without supervision
• provide a collegial relationship, and
• supervise doctors who hold registration within a provisional general, provisional vocational or special purpose scope of practice.
• It may also affect the type of specialist medication that you can issue (special authority), and in some cases your insurance cover.

How you qualify

To qualify for registration within a vocational scope of practice a doctor must:

• satisfy the Medical Council’s English language requirements, and
  
  
• satisfy all of the following criteria:
  1. have the prescribed qualifications
  2. be considered fit for registration
  3. be capable of independent, unsupervised practice
  4. intend to practise in New Zealand, and
  5. have qualifications, training and experience equivalent to or as satisfactory as that of a New Zealand trained doctor registered in the same vocational scope.

Note 1: This information must be read with reference to Council’s Policy on registration in New Zealand.

Note 2: To make a vocational scope application please refer to the Options below.

Note 3: Overseas trained doctors who satisfy these criteria must complete a minimum of 12-18 months supervised practice, and where necessary an assessment, such as a vocational practice assessment. To enable completion of these requirements the applicant will need to be registered within a provisional vocational scope before being considered for vocational scope

Provisional vocational scope

If you do not hold a prescribed Fellowship qualification ie overseas trained doctor, and you are successful in your application (see Option four), then you will need to work within a provisional vocational scope of practice. To commence employment you would need to: 

• arrange for suitable employment and supervisor, on a REG7 form and
• attend a registration interview for verification of identity, passport and qualifications.

Exemption from provisional vocational scope

You would not need to work in a provisional vocational scope if you:

• are already registered in New Zealand within a general scope and hold the prescribed Fellowship qualification, or
• have an Australian primary medical degree and hold the prescribed Fellowship qualification.
• are not registered or eligible for a general scope of practice but hold the prescribed Fellowship qualification.

Application process

Click on the individual options for further information on the vocational application process (Options 1 to 4). Option 5 is specialist registration for a temporary period of up to 6 months (Special purpose (locum tenens application)