Overseas qualified practitioners- UK, Ireland and Canada

Effective 18 August 2023

Individuals with an occupational therapy qualification from overseas may apply to register and work as an occupational therapist in New Zealand. Applicants for registration who obtained their qualification from the UK, Ireland, and Canada and who are currently registered in these countries can apply for registration in New Zealand using an abridged pathway which recognises the similarities in regulation and practice. 

The role of Te Poari Whakaora Ngangahau o Aotearoa Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand is to ensure applicants for registration have the required qualifications, are competent, and are of good character. 

Before applying, you will need to have all the required documentation available for uploading in your application.

Where a document is in a language other than English, a translation must be supplied, along with a certified copy in the original language. 

Identification

Two forms of identity documentation are required, and evidence of any changes to your name. One of these must have a photograph. Acceptable forms of identification are: Certified copy of birth certificate, passport, driver's license, deed poll change and/or marriage license. These documents must be certified before you upload them. 

Qualification

You must hold a relevant occupational therapy qualification for registration. This must be obtained from an occupational therapy education facility in the UK, Ireland or Canada accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy. 

You must have ready to upload a certified copy of your: 

• occupational therapy qualification certificate AND
• academic transcript

Criminal history check

You are required to declare any criminal convictions you may have. A link to apply for a New Zealand criminal history check will be emailed to you when your application is being processed unless you have never been to New Zealand. 

You will need to apply and pay for a criminal conviction check for your country of current registration and any other country you have lived in for more than 6 months in the last 10 years. International checks may be requested here and Australian checks are available here. 

If you have any conviction/s, we will ask for more information to enable us to understand how this may impact your registration.

References

You must supply the name and contact details of 3 people who are willing to provide a reference for you. Referees should be:

• older than 18 years old
• have known you for more than 12 months
• not be a relative
• not live at the same address as you
• be a person of good standing in the community.

At least one of these must be an occupational therapist with whom you have worked for more than 6 months in the last 2 years.

English language

If English is not your first language you will be required to provide proof of your ability to communicate effectively in English. The OTBNZ accepts OET or IELTS results as detailed here.

Previous registration

You will need to supply a certificate of good standing from any regulatory authorities you are currently or previously registered with. You will also need to supply information about any disciplinary action that has been taken or is pending.

Cultural competence

You are required to complete an approved online cultural competence course. The approved course is Compliance with Te Tiriti o Waitangi requirements in Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard NZS8134: 2021-  You will need to create a login to access the course and download a certificate of completion. 

Curriculum vitae/ Resume

You will need to upload a copy of your current curriculum vitae/resume detailing your work history. Please explain any significant time gaps (eg, travel, family leave etc). 
  

Practising certificate

You must be registered and hold a practising certificate before you can work as an occupational therapist in New Zealand. You may apply for a practising certificate following your application through the applicant portal.

Application and practising certificate fees

The application fee for registration as an overseas qualified applicant is NZD$1188 (incl. GST).

Practising certificates are NZD$500 for up to 12 months, and NZD$190 for up to 3 months (incl. GST).

Processing time

Applications may take up to 6 weeks for processing once all information and payment are received, including printed documents. You will be advised on the outcome of your application via the registration portal and email.

Documentation checklist

All documentation must be in a digital form for uploading during the application process. Documents for upload must be in colour (where relevant); less than 50kb in size; and in pdf, doc, jpeg, jpg, or docx format. 

You will need:

• Certified copies of identification documents *
• Certified copy of occupational therapy qualification certificate *
• Certified copy of your academic transcript *
• The name and email address of 3 referees, at least one of whom is an occupational therapist. 
• OET or IELTS results (if required)
• Curriculum vitae/resume
• Cultural competence course completion certificate
• original or certified certificate/s of good standing from any previous regulatory body 

Begin your overseas qualified (Abridged Pathway)  application.