Clinical genetics

Clinical genetics is the investigation, diagnosis of and provision of medical advice, assessment and management of patients in relation to inherited genetic and chromosomal disorders and predispositions.

Vocational training in New Zealand

Vocational training in New Zealand is undertaken through the Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC) in Clinical Genetics of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). Once RACP training is completed, the doctor is awarded the Fellowship of the RACP (FRACP) in clinical genetics.

  • Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)

    The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) is the professional medical College of over 17,000 physicians and 8,000 trainee physicians, often referred to as specialists, in Australia and New Zealand.

Am I able to apply to work as a recognised specialist in New Zealand?

To apply for vocational registration in clinical genetics, you need either:

  • the FRACP qualification in clinical genetics; or
  • an international postgraduate medical qualification in clinical genetics, where your combination of qualifications, training and experience will be assessed against the standard of the FRACP in clinical genetics.

What standard will my training, qualifications and experience be compared against?

For details on the training programme, please refer to the RACP website.

I want to make a vocational registration application

To make a vocational registration application, please refer to the Vocational Registration Homepage and select the option appropriate for you.

Am I able to apply for other types of registration?

You may be able to apply for more than one type of registration. To find out which is the best fit for you, please use our self assessment tool.

  • Registration self assessment tool

    3 May 2023

    Use our registration self assessment tool to determine which pathway to registration (as a medical practitioner in Aotearoa New Zealand) you might be eligible for. Note: we do not cover student electives.