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Vocational registration in Aotearoa New Zealand
International psychiatrists who want to work as a psychiatrist in Aotearoa New Zealand may apply for vocational registration.
Vocational registration is a form of permanent, specialist registration that allows you to work independently in New Zealand. It is not a pathway to Fellowship.
The Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) manages the vocational registration process.
Eligibility for vocational registration
The Medical Council of New Zealand provides a self-assessment tool to guide your options for registration.
Medical Council of New Zealand - Registration Self-Assessment Tool
Apply for vocational registration
Contact the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) who manage the application process.
Medical Council of New Zealand - Psychiatry
RANZCP membership
If you gain vocational registration from the MCNZ, the RANZCP invites you to apply for Affiliate membership.
Become a Fellow
In New Zealand, Fellowship of the RANZCP is not a requirement for specialist registration.
If you have provisional or vocational registration with the MCNZ, you can pursue Fellowship via the Specialist Assessment Pathway.
If you are a RANZCP Affiliate member and have at least seven full years of vocational specialist practice in good standing, you may be eligible to apply for the Time-limited Affiliates Pathway to Fellowship.
Specialist assessment vs vocational registration
RANZCP specialist assessment assesses your qualifications and training compared to a RANZCP Fellow. It is a pathway to specialist registration in Australia and New Zealand, as well as Fellowship of the RANZCP.
Vocational registration is for NZ registration purposes only and is not a pathway to Fellowship. If you pursue vocational registration, and in future want to attain Fellowship, you will need to complete the specialist assessment process in full, or if eligible, apply for the Time-limited Affiliates Pathway to Fellowship.
