Current standards for physician associates
All physician associates registered in Aotearoa New Zealand are required to meet these standards.
The standards put patient interests first and support the health and safety of the public by setting out the minimum requirements for safe practice, and outlining the expectations for communication, consent, collaboration, and professional behaviour.
The standards should be read in conjunction with other components of the regulatory framework for PAs, including scopes of practice and the supervision framework.
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Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand set these Professional Standards for Physician Associates 2026 (the standards) under section 118(1)(i) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. The standards will come into force on 1 October 2026.
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Professional standards for physician associates 2026