Maintain or renew registration
This section contains information that will be useful if you're already registered in New Zealand, or if you've been registered in the past and are intending to return to practice here.
-
In addition to being registered, you must also hold a current practising certificate to practise medicine in New Zealand. You cannot lawfully practise in New Zealand without this certificate.
This section outlines the importance of holding a current practising certificate, the consequences of practising without one, and how to apply for one. -
To ensure that you are continuing to maintain your competence to practise medicine, you must meet recertification programme requirements set by Council, including any minimum continual professional development (CPD) requirements.
-
If you are planning on leaving New Zealand to practise in another country, you may wish to apply for a certificate of professional status (COPS) from us. Your registration is not affected by your decision to practise overseas as long as we are still able to contact you. However, if you plan to be away from New Zealand for a long period, or indefinitely, you have the option to cancel your registration and be removed from the medical register.
-
If you're not working away from New Zealand but are just taking a break from medical practice, this page outlines what you need to do.
-
In some circumstances you can be restored to the medical register if your registration has been cancelled. This page outlines how to apply to be restored to the register.
-
All graduates of New Zealand and Australian accredited medical schools undertake prevocational medical training, also known as the intern training programme. It is also undertaken by doctors who have obtained registration based on a pass in the New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREX Clinical). Training for interns spans two years across postgraduate year 1 and postgraduate year 2.
-
Supervision is a registration requirement for all new doctors registered in a provisional general, provisional vocational and special purpose scope of practice.