Your rights and responsibilities
Holding a current practising certificate permits you to practise medicine within the scope of practice and conditions listed on your certificate.
It is your responsibility to ensure you hold a current practising certificate when you are practising medicine in New Zealand.
Practising certificates are issued for up to 12 months and cannot be backdated.
It is therefore important to apply for the renewal of your practising certificate before your current certificate expires.
If your practising certificate expires before you submit your application and the required fee, you will not be deemed to hold a current practising certificate. Practising without a current certificate is an offence under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 and you can be fined up to $10,000. You also run the risk of facing disciplinary action.
Please see the section of our website around renewing your practising certificate for more information.