Fitness for registration

Under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCAA), the OTBNZ’s principal purpose is to protect the health and safety of the public. In order to fulfil that purpose, the OTBNZ may only register an applicant as an occupational therapist if the applicant is fit for registration. There are eight fitness criteria set out under section 16 of the HPCAA.  These include: 

• Communication and English language proficiency
• Criminal convictions
• Health
• Disciplinary proceedings.

These are discussed below.

English language requirements

If English is not the applicant’s first or home language, he or she must demonstrate proficiency in English.  The OTBNZ requires International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic test results, with an overall score of at least 7.5 and a minimum score of 7 in each band. 

The full English language policy is available at Policies and Publications.

Assessment of criminal convictions

Applicants with convictions for any offence punishable by imprisonment for a term of 3 months or longer must satisfy the OTBNZ that the offence does not reflect adversely on their fitness to practise as an occupational therapist.

Students with convictions prior to enrolment, or convictions occurring during the training programme, are subject to the policies of their educational institution. However, the OTBNZ cannot be bound by decisions made by educational institutions in respect of students with convictions.

The OTBNZ ensures that applicants with a conviction have an opportunity to make a submission in respect of the conviction.  These applicants must provide:

• A full explanation regarding the conviction
• A certified or original copy of the ‘Summary of Facts’ submitted to the court by the police
• A certified or original copy of the judge’s decision (if this is available).

The OTBNZ considers convictions on a case-by-case basis, following principles of fairness and natural justice.  It takes into account:

• the nature and seriousness of the conviction
• the circumstances of the conviction
• the age at the time of offending
• the time that has lapsed since the offending
• the number of convictions
• any patterns of offending
• recent testimonials and character references
• evidence of remedial action or interventions.

Physical and mental health

Applicants for registration must declare any health conditions that may impact on their ability to practise safely. Applicants who disclose a significant health condition may be required to provide additional information. The OTBNZ respects the confidential nature of personal health information, and will not disclose this to anyone outside the OTBNZ, unless required by law.

Good standing

The OTBNZ requires applicants for registration to provide an original or certified copy of a certificate or letter of good standing from every registering authority (overseas and in New Zealand), with which they have been registered.  The certificate or letter must be no older than six months when received by the OTBNZ.

The OTBNZ must take into consideration:

• professional disciplinary proceedings
• investigations in respect of any matter that may be the subject of professional disciplinary proceedings
• orders of professional disciplinary tribunals
• any issue which may give the OTBNZ reason to believe that an applicant may endanger the health or safety of members of the public.