Policy on registration in the General scope without limitations

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.

Policy statement

The Medical Council of New Zealand has set requirements for doctors to meet before they may be registered to work in New Zealand within a general scope of practice.

Doctors will work on a provisional general scope for up to two years, subject to conditions to satisfy the Council that all requirements for registration in a general scope are met. Council may propose to put limitations on a doctor’s general scope of practice if this is considered necessary in the interests of public health and safety.

However, Council may consider the approval of a doctor’s general scope of practice without conditions limiting their general scope to a particular branch of medicine, if the doctor can demonstrate to Council that they have adequate skill and knowledge to practise medicine within a general scope of practice without conditions.

The full policy can be downloaded below in PDF format. This policy must be read with reference to Council’s Policy on registration in New Zealand and Policy on registration within a general scope of practice.