VOC4 Provisional Vocational (specialist) registration
We maintain a list of approved postgraduate medical qualifications as part of the VOC4 fast-track pathway. If you hold a postgraduate medical qualification on the list and intend to work as a specialist in Aotearoa New Zealand in an approved area of medicine, you may be eligible to apply for provisional vocational (specialist) registration via the VOC4 pathway.
The requirements to apply for provisional vocational registration via the VOC4 pathway are outlined here.
Prerequisites
You can apply for registration in the provisional vocational scope of practice (leading to vocational registration) if you:
- Hold an acceptable primary medical qualification;
- Have an approved overseas postgraduate medical qualification;
- Intend to practise in Aotearoa New Zealand in an approved area of medicine;
- Have a minimum of 24 months’ (working at 0.5 FTE or more) clinical experience in the past 5 years practising in that area of medicine, including 12 months within the last 18 months immediately prior to application, in a country recognised by Council as having a health system comparable to Aotearoa New Zealand; and
- Have a job offer in Aotearoa New Zealand at consultant/specialist level.
Applying for registration
To apply, complete a VOC4 application form so we can assess your fitness for registration, competence and qualifications.
We also recommend you review the relevant policies for this pathway to registration - these are listed at the bottom of this page.
You will need to provide three references. Please use the RP6 form for this. We will verify all of your references as part of assessing your application.
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Application form for provisional vocational registration if you hold an approved postgraduate medical qualification.
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Referee report for use when applying for registration.
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CV template when applying for VOC4
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Provisional vocational (VOC4) scope - application for approval of position and supervisor
Additional information for certain specialities
We require additional information if you are applying in the following areas:
- Psychiatry
- Pathology (anatomical)
Please see the link below for the additional information form for psychiatry. We will contact you directly if you are applying for provisional vocational registration in pathology (anatomical) to advise you of the additional information we will require.
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This form outlines the additional information that we will require as part of an application for provisional vocational registration in psychiatry.
Primary source verification of qualifications
You must send the required documents for primary source verification through the EPIC system before you submit your application. The verification process can take time and we cannot start processing your application until we have received evidence that this process is underway.
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Doctors who hold overseas qualifications and who want to apply for registration in Aotearoa New Zealand must have key documents verified from their primary source.
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Special instructions and FAQs for applicants to the Medical Council of New Zealand
Eligibility for registration
We will consider your application once it is complete and then let you know the outcome. Our processing time is 20 working days from the time we receive a complete application. Applications in psychiatry may take longer to assess.
If your application is successful, we will send you an 'eligibility for registration' letter. This confirms for other agencies like Immigration New Zealand that you can be registered and gives you instructions for your registration meeting.
The registration meeting
The purpose of the registration meeting is to confirm your identity, complete registration formalities, apply for a practising certificate and to discuss your supervision and/or assessment requirements while working in Aotearoa New Zealand. The meeting will take place within two weeks of the intended start date of employment and only once you have arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Following the meeting and once payment for your practising certificate has been received, we will grant you registration in the provisional vocational scope of practice and you will be issued with a practising certificate. Please allow three days after your meeting for your practising certificate to be issued. You cannot practise in New Zealand until your registration has been confirmed and you have a practising certificate. You can only work within the endorsement and any conditions specific to you noted on your practising certificate.
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All international medical graduates coming to New Zealand to practise medicine for the first time must attend a registration meeting and be able to produce the information we have asked for.
Working under supervision and variations
Supervision
You must work under supervision while registered in the provisional vocational scope of practice.
Variations
You will need to apply for a variation to your scope of practice if any of the details listed on your practising certificate need to change as a result of a change to your employment, position, or supervision.
You need to apply at least 20 days in advance of your planned change. You must then wait for Council to confirm that the change has been approved before commencing work under the new arrangement.
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All international medical graduates (IMGs) registered in a provisional general, provisional vocational and special purpose scope of practice must be supervised. This is to support their practice while they become familiar with the New Zealand health system and the expected standard of medical practice.
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You cannot work outside the requirements of your scope of practice and any requirements set by Council specific to you. These are shown on your practising certificate. If you are registered within a provisional general, provisional vocational or a special purpose scope of practice, you need our approval of any change to your employment, supervision, position or location.
Once we've received and approved your variation application we will issue you a new practising certificate.
Progression to vocational scope
You can apply for registration in a vocational scope once you have completed all the requirements set by Council. To apply, complete a COS5 form and submit it online via Council’s portal, myMCNZ .
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Application for change of scope from provisional vocational to vocational (ex-provisional)