If you are considering registering or re-registering in Aotearoa New Zealand Te Whatu Ora is offering help with relocation costs for some roles. More information is available here.

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 Practitioners who have previously been registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand may apply to return to practice in New Zealand. 

The OTBNZ is required under the HPCAA to ensure that all occupational therapists meet the Competencies for Registration and Continuing Practice. Practitioners who have not practiced in New Zealand in more than 3 years are required to demonstrate their competence for practice prior to recommencing practice.  These practitioners will also be required to complete the recertification programme when they begin employment. 

Practitioners who remain on the register

If your name currently appears on the register then you may log in to your myOTBNZ account and apply for a practising certificate.

If it has been more than 3 years since you last practiced here then you will be required to demonstrate your competence to practice in New Zealand from within your myOTBNZ portal prior to being eligible for a practising certificate. 

This process occurs through your myOTBNZ account and involves: 

• completion of an online course: Compliance with Te Tiriti o Waitangi requirements in Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard. (You will need to create a login to access the course). 
• completion of an online competence assessment
• uploading your current curriculum vitae/resume
• completing a return to practise plan if is has been more than 5 years since you practised 
• payment of the required fee ($86.25) — application fees are non-refundable.

Practitioners who return to practice in New Zealand are required to complete the Induction and Orientation recertification programme when they begin working.

Information about returning to practice after a break is available here.  

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Practitioners who are no longer on the register

Practitioners who no longer appear on the register must apply to be restored. Applicants are required to confirm your identity in order to receive access to their myOTBNZ account where an application for restoration can be made. The fee for this application is NZD $230 (inc GST). Application fees are non-refundable.

Identification

You must supply two forms of identity documentation, and evidence of any name changes. One of these must have a photograph. Acceptable forms of identification are birth certificate, passport, drivers licence, deed poll change and/or marriage licence. 

Criminal history checks

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. 

If you have lived in another country for more than 6 months since last registered in New Zealand will also need to complete a Criminal Convictions Check conducted by Fit2work.

Previous registration

If you have who have been registered with any other regulatory or licensing authorities since last being registered in Aotearoa you will need to supply a certificate of good standing from each authority.  

Competence

If you have not practiced in Aotearoa New Zealand in the last 3 years must demonstrate your ability to meet the competencies for Registration and Continuing Practice. This consists of: 

• completion of an online course: Compliance with Te Tiriti o Waitangi requirements in Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard. You will need to create a login to access the course.
• completion a desktop  competence assessment
• provision of a current curriculum vitae/resume
• completion of a return to practise plan if it has been more than 5 years since you last practised 

You will be required to complete the Induction and Orientation recertification programme when you begin working.

Click here to request Restoration of your myOTBNZ account