• For Practitioners
• Registration Information
• How To Apply For Registration
• Recertification
• Returning To Practise
• Raising Concerns About A Practitioner
• Standards Guidelines & Policies
• Working Overseas
• Changing Your Name or Address

Returning To Practise

The principal purpose of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 is to protect the health and safety of members of the public by providing for mechanisms to ensure that medical radiation technologists are competent and fit to practise the profession of medical radiation technology.

If you are a registered medical radiation technologist but have not worked in the profession in New Zealand for at least three years, you will be required to demonstrate to the Board that you are competent and fit to practise before being issued with an annual practising certificate (APC). 

The Board uses a number of mechanisms to ensure you are competent and fit to practise depending on the number of years you have been absent from the New Zealand medical radiation technology profession.  Please note the following mechanisms are guidelines only and each application is considered on an individaul basis.

Absence Between 3 - 5 Years:

If you have not practised medical radiation technology in New Zealand for the last 3-5 years you may be required to work under the supervision of another registered medical radiation technologist.  This requires maintaining a logbook and getting sign-off from your supervisor at which time you can then apply for a full APC.  During the time you are working under supervision you will be issued with an interim practising certificate (IPC).  An IPC cannot exceed a 12-month period.

Absence Between 5 - 10 Years:

If you have not practised in New Zealand for the last 5-10 years, the Board may offer you the opportunity to sit a registration examination assessment (REA) to evaluate your competence to practise as a medical radiation technologist in the relevant scope of practice, and for the purpose of issuing you with an APC.

Absence Over 10 Years:

If you have not practised as a medical radiation technologist in New Zealand for more than 10 years, the Board may recommend you undertake re-training.  You may be eligible to cross-credit some of your qualifications to a current education provider.

Currently Practising in One Scope But Not Practised in Another Scope for Over 10 Years:

If you are currently registered and practising in one scope of practice and wish to apply for an APC in another scope of practice for which you hold registration but have not practised for more than 10 years, the Board will consider your application on a case-by-case basis.