Add a scope of practice
If you hold registration in a scope of practice within the medical laboratory profession and wish to add a second scope within the profession, you must complete the “Add a Scope” form through your online portal on our website.
How do I apply?
Step 1: Prepare your documents
To make your application as smooth as possible, you should gather the below documents and have these ready to be uploaded as part of your application. You won’t be able to submit your application until all documents have been provided.
You must provide a certified copy of your qualification certificate for each qualification* you wish to be considered in your application. A photocopy may be certified as a true copy by a solicitor, Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, or an Officer of the Court.
*Your qualification may also be referred to as your Diploma or Degree.
You must provide the academic transcript (in English) of each qualification you wish to be considered in your application. This should be an official copy of your academic transcript from the training institution where your course of study was undertaken. It should include a list of the subjects taken, the grades/marks obtained, and associated information on the grading system used.
If your academic transcript is not in English, you must get it translated by an official translator.
To assess your qualification, we'll need a copy of your academic syllabus/curriculum detailing the contents of each subject and hours required for each year of study. You'll most likely need to request this directly from the training institution where your course of study was undertaken.
You must provide an updated copy of your CV detailing your relevant work experience, including the start and end dates of employment and the countries in which you worked.
Have you been or are you currently registered with another licensing/registration authority in any other country?
If yes, you must provide evidence of your registration status with each licensing/registration authority.
If you've continued practising
The Certificate of good standing should state there are no outstanding complaints against you regarding your conduct as a health professional. The certificate must not be more than six months old at the date of your application.
If you're internationally qualified and hope to change your scope of practice from Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) or Medical Laboratory Pre-Analytical Technician (MLPAT) to Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), you must ensure you meet the Council's English language requirements for the MLS scope.
If you've ever changed your name, you must provide evidence of your name change(s). This could be in the form of a marriage certificate, birth, or deed poll certificate. The certificate must be certified as a true copy by a solicitor, Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, or an Officer of the Court.
You must pay the required fee when you submit your application. Your application will not be assessed until the fee has been paid.
Step 2: Create a profile and apply for registration
Once you have the above documents ready, you’ll need to create a profile with Te Kaunihera Pūtaiao Hauora O Aotearoa | The Medical Sciences Council (the Council) and complete the registration application form and pay the fee. The How to Register document below takes you step by step through the application process.
Once you’ve completed the registration application form, uploaded all your documents, and paid the fee, the Council will review the information provided. For information regarding the prescribed fees, see this document under Resources:
Step 3: Check your inbox
The Council will contact you if additional information is required. You’ll receive an email, and you may also notice a request on the home page of your portal – check these two places for updates.
Tip: you can also see the status of your application on the ‘My submitted applications’ tab of your portal.
Step 4: Review and decision
Once the Council has received all information required, your application will be reviewed, and you’ll be advised of the outcome via email.
Registration timeframe
Providing your application is received with all the required documentation and the full registration fee payment, it may take up to 12 weeks to process.
I’ve added my new scope – now what?
You must always hold a current annual practising certificate (APC) within the scope you're practising in. If you don’t currently hold an APC, you must apply for one before you start practising.
If you already hold a current APC and will begin practice in your new scope soon, you must apply to change the scope of practice on your current APC. You can do so by selecting the “Change Practising Scope” form from within your online portal. See the form How to Change Practising Scope below.
If you intend to complete duties within two scopes of practice, for example, Medical laboratory Technician (MLT) and Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), you must hold an APC within the MLS scope of practice.