Nursing Council of New Zealand
Nurses who are registered with an overseas regulatory authority can apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand for registration.
Applications are assessed on an individual basis and in accordance with the requirements of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.
The Council does not operate a system of reciprocal registration.
For nursing registration in New Zealand, you are required to provide evidence that:
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you have an equivalent international nursing qualification
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you are competent to practice within your scope of practice
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you are fit for registration, which includes the ability to communicate effectively in English for the purpose of practising nursing
Scopes of Practice
The Nursing Council of New Zealand maintains a register of all nurses registered with the Council in New Zealand. Conditions may be placed on a nurse’s scope of practice to clarify the practice setting and/or specify any conditions determined by the Council.
Nurses are registered in scopes of practice:
General Requirements
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have a recognised overseas nursing qualification
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be competent to practise within their scope/s of practice
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be fit for registration, which includes the ability to communicate effectively in English
Qualification Requirements
Overseas Registered Nurses applying for registration in New Zealand must have:
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registration with an overseas regulatory authority AND
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an equivalent international qualification OR
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a pass in an assessment of the Council competencies for Registered Nurses, by an approved provider, AND/OR
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successful completion of a programme approved by the Council for the purpose of assessing competencies for Registered Nurses
Overseas Nurse Assistants (second-level nurses) applying for registration in New Zealand must have:
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registration or enrolment with an overseas regulatory authority AND
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an equivalent international qualification OR
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a pass in an assessment of the Council competencies for Nurse Assistants, by an approved provider, AND/OR
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successful completion of a programme approved by the Council for the purpose of assessing competencies for Nurse Assistants
Verification
The Nursing Council of New Zealand requires evidence of your overseas nursing registration with verification from the authority where you hold registration.
This verification must be sent directly from the authority to the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
Fitness for Registration
You must satisfy the Nursing Council that you are fit to practise nursing. You are required to complete a Statutory Declaration on the Application Form as to whether or not you:
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are able to communicate effectively in order to practice nursing
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are able to communicate and comprehend English sufficiently to protect the health and safety of the public (Note: Overseas applicants for whom English is not their first language must pass an accepted English language test.)
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are unable to perform the functions of practice nursing because of some mental or physical condition
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have been convicted by any court in New Zealand or another country of any offence punishable by imprisonment for a term of 3 months or longer
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are under investigation, or the subject of professional disciplinary or criminal proceedings in New Zealand or another country
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have been declined registration with any other regulatory authority (nursing or other profession) in New Zealand or another country
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are aware of any reason why your registration may endanger public health or safety
Police Certificate
All overseas applicants are required to provide the original of a Police Certificate, no more than 6 months old when received by the Council, as evidence as to whether or not they have any convictions.
English Language Requirements
Applicants from a country where English is not the first or native language will need to provide evidence of their ability to speak and write in English.
Approved English language assessments are:
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Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of at least 6.5 in Reading and Listening and a score of at least 7.0 in Writing and Speaking
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Occupational English Test (OET) with a B band in each section
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A pass in the Commission on Graduates for Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination
The test results must be sent directly to the Council by the Testing Centre as the Council does not accept applicants’ copies.
Competence to Practise
Many overseas applicants will be required to complete a competence assessment programme that is approved by the Council.
If you are required to complete a competence assessment programme, you will be advised of this after all documents have been received and assessed by the Council.
Application Process
Castle can assist you with your application to the Nursing Council of New Zealand to become registered to practise as a Registered Nurse or Nurse Assistant in New Zealand.
The Council will process and assess your application only when the application fee has been paid and all required documents have been received.
How long your application takes to process depends on how quickly the required documentation is forwarded to the Nursing Council. We can assist you with this.
For more information on the Nursing Council of New Zealand, click on: www.nursingcouncil.org.nz
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