Latitudes Group International - Destinations - Important Information for New Zealand

New Zealand
Registration Requirements

English Language Proficiency
Obtaining Professional Registration as a non specialist medical practitioner
Obtaining Professional Registration as a consultant specialist medical practitioner
Are you currently completing your F1 or F2 year and seeking training opportunities?

English Language Proficiency

New Zealand has strict policy regarding English Language Proficiency. Exemptions from this policy are not available.

If you an international medical graduate from a country where English is NOT a native or first language (not the official language), then you will be required to demonstrate your English language proficiency.

IELTS - International English Language Testing System

Applicants must have completed and passed a designated test of English proficiency – namely, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination in the Academic module, within the two years preceding their intended registration date in their chosen destination.

For all test undertaken on or after 1 February 2009, the new component requirements in the academic version of the test are:

Reading         7.0
Writing           7.0
Listening        7.5
Speaking        7.5

There is no minimum overall band requirement.

There are no exemptions to these policies. Everybody is required to provide evidence of their proficiency in English in accordance with the current policy.

Read New Zealand Policy

Obtaining Professional Registration as a non specialist medical practitioner

The Medical Council of New Zealand has an excellent website that provides for self assessment regarding eligibility for registration, however it general you are most likely to be eligible to obtain registration if:

1. You hold registration from one of the following approved universities:

Institution		Qualification
In the United Kingdom
University of Birmingham		MB ChB Birm
University of Bristol		MB ChB Brist
University of Cambridge		MB BChir Camb
University of Durham		MB BS Durh
University of Leeds		MB ChB Leeds
University of Leicester		MB ChB Leic
University of Liverpool		MB ChB Lpool
University of London		MB BS Lond
University of Manchester		MB ChB Manc
University of Newcastle Upon Tyne		MB BS Ncle
University of Nottingham		BM BS Nottm
University of Oxford		BM BCh Oxfd
University of Sheffield		MB ChB Sheff
University of Southhampton		BM Soton
University of Wales		MB BCh Wales
University of Aberdeen		MB ChB Aberd
University of Dundee		MB ChB Dund
University of Edinburgh		MB ChB Edin
University of Glasgow		MB ChB Glasg
University of St Andrews		MB ChB St And
Queen’s University of Belfast		MB BCh BAO Belf

Republic of Ireland
Institution		Qualification
University of Dublin		MB BCh Dubl
National University of Ireland		MB BCh NU Irel

2. You have worked in a country with a health system comparable to New Zealand for at least 36 of the last 48 months regardless of where you obtained your primary medical degree. These are currently:

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Iceland
Israel
Italy
Norway
Republic of Ireland
Singapore
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The Netherlands
United Kingdom
United States of America

Obtaining Professional Registration as a specialist medical practitioner

There are two registration categories:

Vocational scope of practice - click here for a list of approved qualifications.
Special purpose scope of practice - click here for a list of approved qualifications.

Details are well explained on the Medical Council of New Zealand's website, however please feel free to contact one of our consultants should you need further assistance.