To apply for registration, we think PAs must have all of these:

  1. A university qualification recognised by the regulator in the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
  2. A pass in the national PA examination in one of these countries.
  3. At least three years of recent work as a PA in one of these countries.
  4. A pass in a knowledge-based cultural safety programme approved by the Council (approved programme(s) yet to be decided). 

A slightly different entry pathway is proposed to recognise PAs who have been working in Aotearoa New Zealand for a number of years – but they will still need to show they are qualified, trained and competent, and culturally safe. 

At a later time, the Council may recognise qualifications of PAs from other countries.  At the moment, there is no local training programme for PAs.

Go to:

➤    How PAs will be supervised – proposed framework
➤    Cultural safety requirements
➤    Deciding the right title for PA scopes of practice   
➤    What physician associates can do – their scopes of practice

Have your say:

➤   Online survey questionnaire

More detailed content on qualifications and registration pathways – proposed