Overseas qualified practitioners

Individuals with an occupational therapy qualification from overseas may apply to register and work as an occupational therapist in New Zealand.

OTBNZ's role is to make sure applicants for registration have the required qualifications, are competent, and of good character. Applicants for registration with qualifications from outside New Zealand are individually assessed to ensure they meet the requirements.

If you obtained your qualification in the UK, Ireland, or Canada and are currently registered in one of these countries you may be eligible to apply for registration in New Zealand using an abridged pathway.  

Before applying, you will need to have all the required documentation available for uploading with 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: digital 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. Overseas qualifications are assessed individually by OTBNZ assessors. You are required to submit certified copies of: 

• occupational therapy qualification certificate
• academic transcript
• academic syllabus/detailed course description.

Qualifications are assessed by Board appointed occupational therapists.

Verification

The OTBNZ may require you to apply for primary source verification in order to ensure that your identity and qualifications are valid. This would be at your own cost. You will be advised if this is necessary following the submission and assessment of your application.

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 any 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. This person will be asked to view your competence self-assessment and confirm that it accurately represents your practice.

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.

Assessment of competence

Occupational Therapists in New Zealand are required to demonstrate their ability to meet Competencies for Registration and Continuing Practice.

This consists of:
- Completing the Compliance with Te Tiriti o Waitangi requirements in Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard NZS8134: 2021- online course. You will need to create a login to access the course. 
- Supplying a copy of your current curriculum vitae/resume detailing your work history. 
- A written assessment to demonstrate your understanding of the competencies. Information about the desktop assessment is available here. This is completed from within your applicant portal following your initial application.   

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.

You will have access to your applicant portal during this time from which you can submit your desktop competence self-assessment.

Documentation checklist

All documentation must be in a digital form for uploading during the application process. All documents marked* must be also supplied in hard copy to the OTBNZ via post or courier. Documents should be the original or certified copies, unless they can be independently verified online.

You will need:

• 2 forms of certified identification and certified evidence of any name change*
• OET or IELTS results (if required)
• original or certified certificate/s of good standing for any current or previous regulatory body*
• original or certified occupational therapy qualification certificate*
• original or certified academic transcript*
• original or certified academic syllabus/detailed course description*