Recertification audit
In each of the four annual cycles, we audit at least 20% of doctors, to make sure they are complying with their continuing professional development and recertification requirements. We do this continually to ensure New Zealand doctors maintain high standards of medical competence and care.
Purpose
Doctors selected for an audit are advised when they apply to renew their practising certificate that they will be audited. The purpose of the audit is to ensure that they are meeting the requirements of the recertification programme relevant to their scope of practice.
For this reason, we recommend keeping records of your continual professional development (CPD) plan and activities so you can produce these when required.
What happens if I don't meet the requirements?
If you are found not to have met the requirements of your recertification programme, you will be asked to explain the reasons. You may be asked to meet certain requirements within a set timeframe, to remedy any deficiency.
Failure to satisfy Council may result in Council imposing conditions on your scope of practice. Significant and/or ongoing failure to satisfy requirements may result in your registration being suspended until steps are taken to remedy the failure and Council is satisfied of your ongoing compliance.
What to provide - recertification programme
If you are participating in an accredited recertification programme either:
- send a copy of the certificate issued by your Vocational Education and Advisory Body (VEAB).
OR
- we will check directly with the VEAB for confirmation that you are participating (you must authorise us to do this on your practising certificate application).
What to provide - collegial relationships
If you are working in a collegial relationship you will be audited periodically to check your CPD. When this happens, you will have to send details of your CPD to the Council, using the relevant forms (CPD2, CPD3, CPD4, CPD5 and CPD6) from our website.
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Collegial relationships are a component of recertification for general registrants, doctors working outside of their vocational scope of practice, and in select cases doctors limited to non-clinical practice.
What to provide - credentialed medical officers
If you are a credentialed medical officer you must nominate an appropriate person the Council can contact to confirm that:
- you are credentialed
- your employer has a performance management system.
We will confrim with the relevant branch advisory body that you are participating in an approved recertification programme.
What to provide - CPD associate
If you are working with a CPD associate your associate will be asked to confirm you are complying with appropriate training or other activities to ensure you are competent to do the work you are doing.
Please read the handbook Recertification and continuing professional development for more information and refer to the template in appendix 3 for guidance.
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All doctors practising in New Zealand must recertify through a New Zealand-based recertification programme.. This booklet outlines the recertification programme requirements as they apply to doctors who are registered and practising in New Zealand.