Ceasing or returning to practise
Ceasing practise
Please notify Te Kaunihera Pūtaiao Hauora O Aotearoa | The Medical Sciences Council (the Council) if you're:
- Retiring
- Moving overseas
- Changing careers
- Going on parental leave.
Or any other reason you might be ceasing practise and no longer require a current annual practising certificate (APC).
Revision of the register
The Council regularly reaches out to practitioners who have not held an APC within the previous five years, to determine whether they wish to remain on the register. If the Council does not receive a response from one of these practitioners, or if they confirm they do not wish to remain on the register, their name will be removed from the Council register.
If at a later date, these practitioners wish to return to practice in Aotearoa New Zealand, they can apply to have their name restored to the register.
Restoration to the register
If your name has been removed from the register you can apply for it to be restored through the Council’s online portal. You'll be required to provide an updated criminal history check from all countries you’ve lived in for longer than 12 months since you were registered or last held an APC with us (whichever is more recent) - and you must pay the restoration fee. For a guide on how to apply to be restored to the register view the document below.
You must complete this process before you'll be able to apply for a new APC.
Returning to practise
If you wish to return to practice you need to meet the return to practice requirements according to the Council’s policy. The requirements will differ depending on when you ceased practising in Aotearoa New Zealand and whether you’ve lived or practised overseas since you last held an APC.
And, if you haven't practised for more than three years you may be required to practice under supervision for up to 12 months. In some circumstances you may be required to complete an online examination. For more information, please refer to the Return to practice policy under Resources.
Here's what you need to do
Returning to practise following:
Practising overseas (for more than 12 months) OR in another regulated profession overseas -
- You’ll need to complete a fit2work criminal history check (see link below), for each country you’ve practised in for more than 12 months – plus a letter of good standing, CV, professional references, CPD record, return to practice plan.
Practising in another regulated profession in Aotearoa New Zealand (or not practising in your profession while living here) for more than 12 months -
- You’ll need to apply for a criminal record check with the Ministry of Justice – plus letter of good standing, CV, professional references, CPD record, return to practice plan
- OR returning to practise following an illness or injury (more than four weeks/less than three years) you’ll need to provide a medical certificate and a return-to-practice plan.
Updated criminal history check from every country you've lived in for 12 months or longer since you last held an APC with the Council.
The Council’s provider of criminal conviction checks is Fit2Work. You’ll need to apply and pay for a criminal history check for every country you have lived in for more than 12 months. You can do this using the links below.
International:
Background Checks
Australia:
Background Checks
Click HERE to go to their website portal and request your police report(s). Fit2 Work will send the report(s) directly to the Council.
If Fit2Work is unable to provide a police report for a country you have resided for a period of 12 months or more from the age of 16 years, you will need to go to the New Zealand Immigration website to obtain a relevant police certificate that is of the standard acceptable to the Council.
Applicants are advised that these police checks must be sent to the Council directly from the issuing authority. If you do not follow this process the Council may not accept your evidence of police vetting.
If you have lived in Aotearoa New Zealand for more than 12 months since the age of 16:
The Board’s provider of Aotearoa New Zealand criminal conviction checks is the Ministry of Justice. You’ll be sent a link via email to apply for this check when your application has been received. The Board will cover the cost of this check.
Updated Letter of good standing if you were working within another regulated profession within Aotearoa New Zealand. This document should be less than six months old.
An updated CV.
Evidence of any Continuing Professional Development (CPD) learning you've completed since ceasing practice.
This may include any relevant short courses or training you have completed since gaining registration with the New Zealand Medical Sciences Council.
Evidence of any Continuing Professional Development (CPD) learning you've completed since ceasing practice.
This may include any relevant short courses or training you have completed since gaining registration with the New Zealand Medical Sciences Council.
Your return-to-work plan should address any relevant changes to legislation or policies relating to your profession and scope of practice since you ceased practising in New Zealand.
You should also include a statement of intent regarding your Continuing Professional Development, including how you intend to update your scope-specific knowledge, as well as ethical and culturally appropriate practice.
Returning to practise following any period practising overseas or in another regulated profession in Aotearoa New Zealand
If you're returning to practise in Aotearoa New Zealand after practising overseas for any period, you'll be required to provide the following documents:
Updated criminal history check from every country you've lived in for 12 months or longer since you last held an APC with the Council.
The Council’s provider of criminal conviction checks is Fit2Work. You’ll need to apply and pay for a criminal conviction check for every country you have lived in for more than 12 months. You can do this using the links below.
International:
Background Checks
Australia:
Background Checks
Click HERE to go to their website portal and request your police report(s). Fit2 Work will send the report(s) directly to the Council.
If Fit2Work is unable to provide a police report for a country you have resided for a period of 12 months or more from the age of 18 years, you will need to go to the New Zealand Immigration website to obtain a relevant police certificate that is of the standard acceptable to the Council. Applicants are advised that these police checks must be sent to the Council directly from the issuing authority. If you do not follow this process the Council may not accept your evidence of police vetting.
Updated Letter of good standing if you were practising within another regulated profession within Aotearoa New Zealand. This document should be less than six months old.
Returning to practise following an illness or injury
If you're resuming practice after taking more than four weeks but less than three years' leave from practice, due to an illness or injury, you'll need to provide the following if possible:
If you have medical clearance confirming you are now fit to return to work from ACC or a health care professional, please provide this. If you are unsure whether this requirement applies to you, please contact pro-standards@medsci.co.nz
If you have a return-to-work plan signed off by your manager, please provide this. If you are unsure whether this requirement apples to you, please contact pro-standards@medsci.co.nz
