Medical Council begins regulating physician associates
Media Release
1 October 2026
From today, 1 October 2026 physician associates are a regulated health profession in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand has developed a regulatory framework for physician associates, with a primary focus on public safety.
We are now able to accept registration applications from physician associates. As part of that process, we will be checking that each physician associate is qualified, competent, and fit to practise, in the same way we do for doctors.
As part of our core role in protecting the health and safety of the public, we have set the professional standards that physician associates are required to practice within, including standards of clinical competence, cultural safety and cultural competence, and ethical conduct. These standards lay out the legal requirements for physician associates in their practice and will be used if we receive any concerns about a physician associate.
Physician associates are a separate profession to doctors. They work under a doctor’s supervision as part of a healthcare team.
When applying for registration in the Physician Associate Provisional scope of practice Council will approve the position, primary supervisor and supervision plan of each physician associate, and these details will be included on their practising certificate. You will be able to search our public register (LINK) to find out whether a physician associate or a doctor is registered.
Employers must undertake a credentialling process, to define the clinical work each physician associate can do within their approved scope of practice, taking into account their qualifications, training, and experience and the resources and support available in that workplace.
“Patients need to know who is providing their care and understand that person’s role,” Dr Clark says. “Physician associates must introduce themselves as physician associates and explain that they are not doctors. They must give patients the information they need to make decisions about their care and obtain informed consent before treatment.”
Information for patients, physician associates and employers is available on Council’s website. This includes registration and supervision requirements, professional standards and how to raise a concern about a physician associate.
Physician associates currently practising in Aotearoa New Zealand must apply for registration by 30 November 2026.
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