Registration Information

NOTE: This information is available to download in PDF format (click here)

Contents

• Introduction

• Qualifications for Registration:
      (1)   Scope of Practice - "Psychologist"
      (1a) Trainee or Intern Psychologist Definition and Registration
      (2)   Vocational Scope of Practice - "Educational Psychologist"
      (3)   Vocational Scope of Practice - "Clinical Psychologist"

• Scopes of Practice Definitions
      (1) "Psychologist", "Intern Psychologist", "Trainee Psychologist"
      (2) "Educational Psychologist"
      (3) "Clinical Psychologist" 

• Competencies for the Scopes of Practice

• Processing Applications

• Overseas Applicants

• Character and Reputation of Applicant

• Supervision Leading to Registration (Supervision 2000 Scheme)

• Annual Practising Certificates

• Communication Skills

• Fees

• Board Address Details

Introduction
The Psychologists Board administers the registration of psychologists under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act). This legislation provides for:

• the registration of, and practising certificates for, health practitioners; and
• standards of competence, fitness to practise and quality assurance measures for health practitioners;
• complaints and discipline procedures and the establishment of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal;
• appeals processes, including rights of appeal for health practitioners; and
• the structures and administration of authorities.

It is recommended by the Board that those seeking registration as a psychologist in New Zealand purchase a copy of the HPCA Act 2003 to familiarise themselves with this legislation and for future reference.  The HPCA Act can be purchased from Bennetts Government Bookshops or from Brookers (phone 0800 10 60 60).

For more information about registering as a psychologist in New Zealand download the Registration Information document (click here) and/or contact:

Bill King
Deputy Registrar - Registration
email: Bill King
Tel: +64 4 471-4588

Qualifications for Registration

(1) Scope of Practice "Psychologist"
The following qualifications are prescribed for registration as a psychologist in the "Psychologist" scope of practice:

A minimum of a Masters degree in psychology from an accredited¹ educational organisation, or an equivalent qualification.  Eligibility for a general scope of practice requires a Board approved practicum or internship involving 1500 hours of supervised practice.

¹ "Accredited" and in subsequent references means accreditation of the educational organisation, or an educational course, by the New Zealand Psychologists Board for the purpose of registering psychologists.

NOTE: That Masters degrees in Education and Post Graduate Diplomas in Educational Psychology (Board accredited) will, for the purposes of registration, be considered to be equivalent to Masters degrees in Psychology where their content is sufficiently Educational Psychology in nature.

Scopes of Practice: "Intern Psychologist" and "Trainee Psychologist"

The definition of "Intern" applies to students in any Masters or Post Graduate Diploma tertiary educational institution programme or equivalent programme that includes within it by the present definition a 1500-hour internship AND THAT the definition of "Trainee" applies to all other applicants.

Trainee Psychologist
This registration is for candidates who have completed formal academic qualifications that have provided the trainee psychologist with the foundation competencies required for safe practice in the approved supervised setting, and who are entering Board approved supervised practice for the purpose of achieving full registration. 

This option (Supervision 2000 Scheme) is only available to employees of the New Zealand Defence Force and Child Youth & Family Services, which may provide supervision leading to registration.  For more information about supervision leading to registration, contact the Deputy Registrar (Registrations) for more information. (Go to contacts)

Intern Psychologist
The Intern Psychologist is enrolled in a Post Graduate Diploma or Doctorate course in psychology at a Board accredited university and is undertaking internships where they will be working with the public.

The Intern Psychologist will hold an Interim Practising Certificate with supervision conditions.

How to Register as an Intern Psychologist
The best process for getting registered is to complete an application for registration form taking care to tick the "Intern Psychologist" box in the scope of practice section.  Payment for registration can be deferred until the diploma is awarded and full registration is sought.   A letter from the Head of Department, Course Director or Head of School (from a Board accredited tertiary educational institution) should be provided stating that the applicant has been enrolled in the course, noting an approximate date of course completion.  On approval of the registration, the applicant will be deemed to be in the "Intern Psychologist" scope until the degree has been awarded. A letter from the Head of Department of Head of School (from a Board accredited tertiary educational institution) indicating the applicant's eligibility for conferral or awarding of their qualification is required or the applicant may provide a certified copy of their award will complete the process of registration under the Psychologist scope of practice.

Contact the Deputy Registrar (Registrations) for more information. (Go to contacts)

A minimum of a Masters degree in psychology^® from an accredited¹ educational organisation and an accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Psychology, or equivalent qualification.  Eligibility for an educational scope of practice shall require a Board approved practicum or internship involving 1500 hours of supervised practice.

^{® A Masters degree in Education may be considered equivalent to a Masters degree in psychology where its content is sufficiently educational psychology in nature.}

¹ "Accredited" and in subsequent references means accreditation of the educational organisation, or an educational course, by the New Zealand Psychologists Board for the purpose of registering psychologists.

(3) Vocational Scope of Practice "Clinical Psychologist"
The following qualifications have been prescribed for registration as a psychologist in the clinical vocational scope of practice:

A minimum of a Masters degree in psychology from an accredited¹ educational organisation and an accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology, or equivalent qualification.  Eligibility for a clinical scope of practice shall require a Board approved practicum or internship involving 1500 hours of supervised practice.

¹ "Accredited" and in subsequent references means accreditation of the educational organisation, or an educational course, by the New Zealand Psychologists Board for the purpose of registering psychologists.

Scopes of Practice Definitions

Five scopes of practice have been prescribed by the Board for registered psychologists in New Zealand.  All  psychologists must qualify for the "Psychologist" scope of practice on registration.  Applicants may apply at the time of registration, or at any time after registration, for a vocational scope of practice.  Refer to the applications for registration information page [click here].

A copy of the scopes of practice and prescribed qualifications document is available in PDF format for your information [click here].

A psychologist within a general scope is defined as rendering or offering to render  or offering to render to individuals, groups, organisations or the public any psychological service involving the application of psychological knowledge, principles, methods and procedures of understanding, predicting ameliorating or influencing behaviour, affect or cognition.  Such practice is undertaken within an individual’s area and level of expertise and with due regard to ethical, legal, and Board-prescribed standards.

(2) & (3) "Trainee Psychologist" or "Intern Psychologist"
A "Trainee Psychologist" or "Intern Psychologist" scope of practice may be granted to applicants:

• who have completed formal academic qualifications that have provided the trainee psychologist with the foundation competencies required for safe practice in the approved supervised setting, and
• who are entering Board approved² supervised practice for the purpose of achieving full registration.

² Includes Supervision 2000 Scheme and Board accredited training programmes, e.g. students of Post Graduate Diploma programmes whilst enrolled in their final year.

(4) "Educational Psychologist"
The following definition is for the vocational scope of practice "Educational Psychologist"

Educational Psychologists apply psychological knowledge and theory derived from research to the area of learning and development, to assist children, young persons, adults and their families regarding their learning, academic performance, behavioural, social and emotional development, by using psychological and educational assessments and applying interventions using systemic, ecological and developmental approaches.  Such practice is undertaken within an individual’s area and level of expertise and with due regard to ethical, legal, and Board-prescribed standards.

(5) "Clinical Psychologist"
The following definition is for the vocational scope of practice "Clinical Psychologist"

Clinical Psychologists apply psychological knowledge and theory derived from research to the area of mental health and development, to assist children, young persons, adults and their families with emotional, mental, developmental or behavioural problems by using psychological assessment, formulation and diagnosis based on biological, social and psychological factors, and applying therapeutic interventions using a scientist-practitioner approach. Such practice is undertaken within an individual’s area and level of expertise and with due regard to ethical, legal, and Board-prescribed standards.

Processing Applications

A checklist of documents required with your Application for Registration is on page 5 of the application form.  All of the required documentation and the correct fee must be received by the Board before the application can be processed.  The Board is unable to process incomplete applications and cannot accept uncertified copies of any official documents. 

The Board’s will endeavour to acknowledge (by email, if provided) receipt of your application form and documentation within 14 days of receipt by the Board’s office.  You need to allow 6-8 weeks for the assessment of your application from the date of acknowledgment of receipt.  Complete applications are processed on a regular basis.  In fairness to all applicants, no application will be 'fast tracked' ahead of any other - they will be processed in the order they are received.

Overseas Applicants

The Psychologists Board will assess each overseas application on an individual basis, assessing the equivalence of the applicant's qualifications to New Zealand qualifications.  For this reason, overseas applicants should allow longer for the assessment of their registration applications.

In order to assist in the accurate assessment of qualifications, overseas applicants should supply to the Board as much information as possible about the course content of their degrees/diplomas.  Information relating to any internship or practicum undertaken as part of a university degree/diploma is particularly relevant.

Character and Reputation of Applicant

Character References

The HPCA Act requires that the person is of good character and reputation and is a fit and proper person to be registered.  References will be required to ensure this is the case.  At least one referee must be written by a psychologist registered by the New Zealand Psychologists Board.  (For overseas applicants who do not know a New Zealand Registered Psychologist who could supply a reference, a reference from a senior psychologist who is registered, chartered or licensed with a professional body overseas will be an acceptable alternative.  A certified copy of the referee's registration certificate or licence must be included with the character reference letter.

All character references must be signed and dated no earlier than 3 months before the date on the application form.

Record of Criminal Conviction(s)

NZ Applicants: The Board requires that every NZ applicant seek from the Ministry of Justice, a Record of Criminal Convictions.  This lists only convictions and sentencing from court appearances and does not include Youth Court charges.  An application form for your Record of Criminal Convictions can be obtained from your local District Court.  Alternatively download a copy from the Ministry of Justice website: http://www.justice.govt.nz/privacy/index.html  or contact The Privacy Unit, Ministry of Justice, PO Box 2750, Wellington, Telephone 04 91-888-00. For information on the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004 (click here).

Overseas Applicants: The Board requires that you provide a record of criminal convictions, e.g. Police Clearance Certificate (SA), FBI Criminal Conviction Information/Fingerprint Information (USA), NIS Criminal Record Information Certificate (UK), or equivalent form to inform the Board about any convictions you may have had in your country(ies) of residence.

NOTE:    A conviction does not necessarily preclude the granting of registration.  Any convictions will be considered by the Board on a case-by-case basis.  If you have a conviction, you should consider sending an explanatory letter about the conviction to the Board to accompany the record.

Supervision Leading to Registration (Supervision 2000 Scheme)

NOTE: Supervision Leading to Registration (Supervision 2000 Scheme) - The Supervision 2000 Scheme via the New Zealand Psychological Society is no longer available. 

Once the Board's Assessment Committee has established your academic eligibility for registration, you may be required to undertake a period of supervised practice prior to registration. 

The Board has accredited the New Zealand Defence Force and Child Youth & Family Services to provide supervision leading to registration.  Employees of New Zealand Defence Force and Child Youth and Family Services may receive supervision through these organisations.   (Click here for more information)

Annual Practising Certificates

Registration by itself does not permit a registered psychologist to practise. To be able to practise in New Zealand after registration has been formally approved, you are required to hold an Annual Practising Certificate valid for that year. This certificate is renewable at 1 April each year and reminder notices will be sent to registered psychologists prior to the expiry date each year.  In New Zealand, it is illegal to practise as a registered psychologist without a practising certificate.  Link to Practising Certificate Information [click here]

Communication Skills

If English is not your first language, and your qualifications were not completed in the English language please provide a notarised copy of your results on an approved English test (IELTS or TOEFL). The Board may also require you to meet a person appointed by it in order that further evidence of your English communication abilities can be obtained.

The English tests currently approved by the Board are the International Language Testing System (IELTS), and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Minimum pass marks are 7.5 on the IELTS (i.e. no less than 7 in each band) (Academic Module) and, and a score of 570 (230 for computer based) on the TOEFL, including grades of 50 for the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and 4.5 for the Test of Written English (TWE).

Fees

Application for Registration

1. For a New Zealand qualified psychologist the fee is $NZ375.00.
2. For registration under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 the fee is $NZ375.00.
3. For an overseas trained psychologist the fee is $NZ650.00.

The application fee must be enclosed with the application form and supporting documentation.  The fee is not refundable whatever the outcome of the application.  New Zealand applicants may send a personal cheque, a bank cheque, or pay by MasterCard or Visa credit cards.  Overseas applicants must send a bank draft or pay by MasterCard or Visa credit cards.  Cheques and bank drafts should be made out to the "Psychologists Board". Link application forms [click here].

Certificate of Registration
A formal Certificate of Registration may be obtained on payment of a fee of NZ$75.00 after registration is approved by the Board.  You can pay by downloading the Payment Form and sending it into the Board with your $75.00 payment [click here].