Registration policy
Our policies set out the rules and criteria we use to make decisions on applications for registration. These policies will also be referenced on the pages that provide detail on how to apply for registration.
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Policy on registration in New Zealand
RegistrationLast updated 1 March 2018
This policy gives an overview of the rules we apply in deciding whether to register a doctor in New Zealand. There will also be a specific policy that applies to the pathway you are registering under and the two policies should be read together. -
English language requirements
RegistrationLast updated 1 March 2018
Applicants for registration as well as candidates applying for the New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREX Clinical) must satisfy Council that they are able to comprehend and communicate effectively in English in the medical workplace, as one of the prerequisites for registration. This policy sets out the specific requirements that must be met. -
Policy on the General scope
RegistrationLast updated 1 November 2016
This policy outlines the requirements you must meet before you can be registered in the General scope of practice.This policy should be read alongside Council's Policy on registration in New Zealand. -
Policy on registration in a vocational scope
RegistrationLast updated 13 April 2021
If you're applying for registration in the vocational scope and did your postgraduate training outside of New Zealand and Australia, this policy outlines the rules that will apply when we considering your application. -
Policy on vocational practice assessments
RegistrationLast updated 1 June 2011
The vocational practice assessment (VPA) is Council’s preferred tool for assessing competence and applies specifically to IMGs that Council deem eligible for registration within a provisional vocational scope of practice (assessment pathway). -
Policy on registration in a special purpose scope
RegistrationLast updated 1 April 2015
The special purpose scope of practice is a temporary form of registration in New Zealand, specific to a particular purpose which has been identified by Council. -
Policy on practising certificates
RegistrationLast updated 1 July 2016
In order to practise medicine in New Zealand you must be both registered and hold a current practising certificate. This policy outlines Council's rules around practising certificates. -
Approved Australasian qualifications
RegistrationLast updated 1 April 2019
Here you'll find the approved New Zealand/Australian postgraduate qualifications for registration in a vocational scope of practice. If a postgraduate qualification isn't listed here, we consider it to be an "overseas postgraduate qualification". -
Reference requirements
RegistrationLast updated 1 January 2015
Authentic, authoritative and comprehensive references are necessary to ensure that we can make decisions related to doctors' fitness and competence to practise medicine in New Zealand. -
Policy on recognition of internships
RegistrationLast updated 1 May 2012
Some pathways to registration require doctors to have completed their internship in a particular country. If you are applying for registration and did your internship somewhere else, this policy outlines how we will assess your suitability for registration. -
Competent authority criteria
RegistrationLast updated 1 January 2014
Council recognises some registration authorities as having equivalent systems to our own. We call these "competent authorities". Currently we recognise the General Medical Council in the UK and the Irish Medical Council as competent within the criteria we apply. -
Comparable health system criteria
RegistrationLast updated 6 April 2019
For a country to be recognised as having a comparable health system to ours it must fit within our criteria. We consider a mix of public health, practice environment and registration indicators. -
Policy on registration in the General scope without limitations
RegistrationLast updated 1 October 2011
We set requirements for doctors to meet before they may be registered to work in New Zealand within a general scope of practice. We may propose to put limitations (conditions) on a doctor's general scope of practice where this is considered necessary in the interests of public health and safety. -
Approved qualifications for locum tenens specialist appointments
RegistrationLast updated 1 February 2015
To apply for registration within a special purpose (locum tenens) scope of practice, you must first hold an approved postgraduate qualification in the branch of medicine in which you want to work, and then meet remaining requirements outlined in the registration policy. -
Policy on authorisations to provide secondary maternity services
RegistrationLast updated 9 September 2024
This policy explains the requirements to be met to allow doctors with vocational registration in Rural Hospital Medicine or General Practice to obtain an authorisation to provide secondary maternity services, in addition to the practice permitted within their vocational scope of practice. -
NZREX policies
8 March 2024
See all the policies relating to the NZREX Clinical here.