Taking a break or retiring from medical practice
You are entitled to remain on the medical register even if you are not currently practising medicine. However it is important to note that being on the register does not allow you to practise medicine in New Zealand. You must also hold a current practising certificate.
If you are intending to retire from medical practice, you can ask us to remove you from the register.
Maintaining your registration while you're taking a break
You are entitled to remain on the medical register even if you are not currently practising medicine. The only condition is that we need to be able to contact you when required. Therefore you must keep your contact details up-to-date at all times using myMCNZ.
There is no charge for remaining on the register. However it is important to note that being on the register does not allow you to practise medicine in New Zealand. You must also hold a current practising certificate.
If you're stopping practice and you have a current practising certificate, please email us at pc@mcnz.org.nz to let us know about what you're doing and when your last day will be.
Retiring from medical practice
If you are retiring from medical practice and are not intending to practise again in the future, you may find it easier to cancel your registration. If you cancel your registration you do not need to keep Council up-to-date with your contact information.
If you later find you do wish to return, you can apply for restoration to the register. This is a relatively simple process provided you meet our fitness for registration requirements.
To cancel your registration and have your name removed from the register, please send us a written request to pc@mcnz.org.nz. There is no charge to remove you from the register.
Working overseas
If you're working overseas, please see our page on Working away from New Zealand.
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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.