Practising
Certificate
Information
Before applying to the Psychologists Board for a Practising Certificate
under the Act, you are advised to read the following
information.
PROVISIONS OF THE HPCA Act
There is some important information you need to know about obtaining an APC which is set out below and includes the relevant HPCA Act reference.
No person may claim to be practising a profession as a health practitioner of
a particular kind or state or do anything that is calculated to suggest that the
person practises or is willing to practice a profession as a health practitioner
of that kind unless the person is a health practitioner of that kind; and holds a
current practising certificate.
In other words, you may not claim to be practising psychology as a psychologist or state or do anything that may suggest that you practice or are
willing to practice psychology as a psychologist unless you are a registered
psychologist and hold a current practising certificate.
IMPORTANT: Section 7(5) states "Every person commits an offence
punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding $10,000 who contravenes
this section."
· To be considered fit to practice and eligible for an APC you need to maintain the required standard of competence, comply with any conditions on your scope of practice, complete any requirements of a competence programme, practise lawfully and be able to perform the functions required to practise the profession of psychology. [Refer s16]
·Applying for an Practising
Certificate
Once registered in order to practise as a psychologist you must
obtain a practising certificate by applying to the Registrar of the Board.
You can request an application form from the
Deputy
Registrar (Registration) or download a PDF copy [click
here] This form is for practising certificates to cover the current financial year. You will be required to provide your registration number,
residential, mail and work address details, contact numbers and email address,
and to sign a declaration stating that you believe you are competent
to practice in accordance with your scope of practice.
The standard Annual Practising Certificate year is 1 April until 31 March. Your
scope of practice, and any conditions if applicable, will be endorsed on your APC.
The current fee for a practising certificate can be found here (click). Payment
can be made by personal cheque, or a bank cheque made out to the "Psychologists Board", and MasterCard or Visa credit card payments are accepted. A payment section
has been included on the Practising Certificate application form.
Payment may be made by cheque (payable to the "Psychologists Board") or by credit card (MasterCard or VISA only) and must accompany the APC application form. You are responsible for ensuring the correctly completed APC form accompanied by the fee payment is received by the Psychologists Board.
You
are deemed to hold the Practising Certificate from the date when the Board receives the complete application and payment,
until the date it is issued or you are notified by the Registrar that it will
not be issued. It is a good idea to note in your diary when you posted
your Practising Certificate application form. The Registrar will issue a Practising Certificate if none of the cases stated in section 27(1)
of the HPCA Act applies. (see Restrictions on Issue of APCs below.)
Please Note:
The Board does not accept bulk payments for practising
certificates
Because of the frequent errors and or omissions made by employers, we are unable to process bulk payments. Each individual psychologist is responsible for applying for their own APC.
Restrictions on Issue of
Annual Practising Certificate
The Registrar will issue a Practising Certificate if they believe that there
are no reasons to decline the application under section 27(1).
The Registrar may decline to issue a practising certificate if satisfied that any
information included in the application is false or misleading.
Section 27(1) includes the following restrictions on the issuing of a practising certificate.
- the applicant has, at any time, failed to maintain the required standard
of competence; or
- the applicant has failed to fulfil, or has failed to comply with, a
condition included in the applicant's scope of practice; or
- the applicant has not satisfactorily completed the requirements of any
competence programme that he or she has been ordered by the Board to
complete; or
- the applicant has not held an annual practising certificate of a kind
sought by the application within the 3 years immediately preceding the date
of the application; or
- the applicant is unable to perform the functions required for the
applicant's profession because of some mental or physical condition; or
- the applicant has not, within the 3 years immediately preceding the date
of application, lawfully practised the profession to which the application
relates.
The Registrar may also decline to issue a practising certificate until any
outstanding fines, expenses, or costs are paid.
If an Annual Practising Certificate is declined, an
Interim Practising Certificate may be issuedfor a period of up to 12 months and with any
conditions the Board specifies.
Practitioners will be given an opportunity to make written and oral
submissions prior to any final decision being made to decline an annual practising
certificate application, or to include or vary conditions in the psychologist's scope of practice.
Frequently Asked Questions -
APC Renewals
1. Do
I need to purchase an Annual Practising Certificate (APC)?
If you intend to practise in New Zealand for all or any part of the financial year (1
April to 31 March) you will need to purchase an APC for that year. APC Renewal
Notices will be mailed out to current holders of APCs at the end of January. If you
do not receive a form by post download an APC Application form from this website.(click here)
2.
What if I am not going to work in the coming financial year (1 April to 31 March)?
You do not need to purchase an APC. You do need to inform the Board.
Tick the “non-practising” box on the APC Renewal Notice or
Remittance Advice then sign, date and return it to the Board.
3.
What do I do when I return to the workforce?
Every psychologist who wants to return to
the workforce must apply to the Registrar for an Annual Practising Certificate. The application form is available in PDF format from this website or contact the Deputy Registrar for a faxed or electronic or posted copy. If you have not practised for the last three or more years additional information will be required. (click here)
4.
Who is responsible for the purchase of an APC?
Each practitioner is responsible for making sure they have a current APC.
Employers will often check on the currency of practitioner's APCs.
APCs should be displayed for public viewing.
5.
When do I have to pay for my APC?
To ensure that you receive your APC by 1 April
in any APC year, your payment must be with
us before 10 March.
6.
How can I pay for my APC?
Payment is accepted by cheque made out to the "Psychologists Board"
or credit card (Visa or MasterCard).
Send in the APC fee with the APC Application form or APC Renewal Notice. Please note that if your cheque is not honoured by your bank your APC will be invalidated exposing you to the risks of illegal practice.
7.
What do I do if I have not received my Renewal Notice?
Download a copy of the APC application form from this website.
CHECK:
Has your address changed in the past 12 months? Have you informed the
Board of this, as required under the HPCA Act?
Section 140 of the HPCA Act requires psychologists to ensure that
the Registrar has your current postal address, current residential address, and
(if applicable) current work address.
8.
What do I do if I have changed my name?
Within one month after changing your name, you must give the Board's
Registrar written notice of your new name.
9.
What do I do if my employer wants to pay for my APC?
Employers should note that the Board no longer accepts bulk APC payments and that payment of the APC by the due date is the responsibility of
the practitioner. Payment should
accompany the original Remittance Advice for processing by the bank.
10.
Can I fax my payment details or ring and give you my credit card details
over the phone?
Your APC can only be issued once we have received a completed form which includes your signed declaration and the correct fee.
11.
If I lose my APC can I get another one?
If you declare in writing that your APC is lost, we will issue a replacement APC.
12.
What happens if I pay after 1 April ?
You are legally required to hold a current APC by 1 April each year if practising. An APC costs more after April 1 to offset the Board's higher costs.
13.
I have not received my APC and my employer tells me if I do not produce
it on 1 April I will be unable to work - what can I do?
Anyone who has submitted an APC application accompanied by the fee is to be
treated as the holder of that certificate from the date when the Board received
the application until the date it is issued (refer section 30(3) of the HPCA Act
2003). Your APC status can be confirmed on the "on-line website" (access from the top left corner of the homepage) |
