The New Zealand Psychologists Board administers the registration of psychologists under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (HPCA) Act 2003.
The Board recommends that those seeking registration in New Zealand purchase a copy of the HPCA Act to familiarise themselves with this legislation and for future reference. The HPCA Act can be purchased from Bennett’s Government Bookshops, or downloaded from here.
A checklist of documents required with your Application for Registration is on the application form (see resource list to the right). All required documentation and the correct fee must be received 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 will endeavour to acknowledge (by email, if provided) receipt of your application form and documentation within 5 working days of receipt in the Board’s office. You need to allow 3 - 4 weeks for the assessment of your complete application from the date of acknowledgment of receipt. Complete applications are processed on a regular basis. In fairness to all practitioners, no application will be ‘fast-tracked’ ahead of any other.
Information about the Scopes of Practice prescribed by the New Zealand Psychologists Board can be viewed here.
The HPCA Act requires that a practitioner be a fit and proper person to be registered. References will be required to ensure this is the case. At least one reference 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, a reference from a senior psychologist who is registered, chartered, or licensed with a government-mandated registration authority overseas will be an acceptable alternative. A copy of that referee's registration certificate or licence must be included with the reference letter).
All character references must be originals, signed and dated no earlier than 3 months before the date on the application form, and must have been written specifically in support of the registration application.
The Board requires that every New Zealand applicant obtain a Record of Criminal Convictions from the Ministry of Justice. 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, you can download a copy from the Ministry of Justice website (www.justice.govt.nz) or contact The Privacy Unit, Ministry of Justice, National Office, PO Box 2750, Wellington, Telephone 04 91-888-00. Please do not have your Record of Criminal Convictions sent directly to the Board. You should review it before sending it to the Board with your application. The record must not be more than six months old.
The Board requires that you provide a record of criminal convictions (e.g., Police Clearance Certificate (South Africa), FBI Criminal Conviction Information/Fingerprint Information (USA), NIS Criminal Record Information Certificate (UK)) or equivalent documentation to inform the Board about any convictions you may have had in your former country or countries of residence. The record must not be more than six months old.
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 also submit an explanatory letter about the conviction to the Board.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Module) is the only English test currently approved by the Board. The minimum pass mark required is 7.5 overall, with no less than 7.0 on each section. If English is not your first language and your qualifications were not completed in the English language, please provide a certified copy, or the original, of your results on the IELTS test.
To be able to practise in New Zealand psychologists are required to hold a current practising certificate. If you intend to practise in New Zealand you can apply for a practising certificate after the Board has approved your registration. Your practising certificate must then be renewed at the start of each financial year (1 April).
It is unlawful to practise as a psychologist without a practising certificate.
A formal Certificate of Registration can be ordered from the Board. These optional Certificates are produced on A4 card personally signed by the Board Registrar and ready for framing. You can order one by downloading the Certificate of Registration Payment form from our website and submitting it with your payment.
“The Core Competencies for the Practice of Psychology in New Zealand” and the “Code of Ethics for Psychologists Working in Aotearoa New Zealand 2002” are available on the Board’s website. Core competencies include cultural competencies. New Zealand-registered psychologists are expected to be culturally competent with all cultures but particularly to safeguard the wellbeing of Maori. The practice of psychology in New Zealand reflects paradigms and worldviews of both partners to te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi.
Please refer to the “Fees” page for current information.
Each overseas application is assessed on an individual basis for equivalence of the applicant's qualifications to New Zealand qualifications. (See also Non-binding Assessment of Qualifications for Registration information below.)
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 internships or practical training undertaken as part of a university degree/diploma is particularly relevant. Information about current registration with a recognised authority (e.g., State or National registration authority) is also relevant and very helpful.
Non-binding assessment (NBA) is used primarily by overseas-trained practitioners who are considering registration as a psychologist in New Zealand. An initial non-binding assessment of qualifications will give an applicant an idea of how the Board rates the equivalence of their qualifications in relation to the minimum standard of qualifications required for registration in New Zealand. The results of a non-binding assessment do not guarantee full registration, as the final decision regarding registration is only made after a much more detailed and formal assessment. You can download an NBA Application form here.
University (PGDip and DClinPsych) students undertaking internships as part of their degree or postgraduate diploma are required to be registered with the Board. These students are registered in the "Intern Psychologist" scope of practice with conditions related to supervision.
All applicants must complete the standard application for registration form taking care to tick the "Intern Psychologist" box in the scope of practice section. A letter from the Head of Department, Course Director, or Head of School should be provided stating that the applicant has been enrolled in the course and noting an approximate date of course completion.
Registration requirements for Intern Psychologists are noted on the application form and include providing a record of criminal convictions and three character references (one of which must be from a psychologist registered in NZ). Students entering training programmes that have not yet been accredited by the Board will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and will need to submit details of their internship placement and supervision arrangements along with their application form.
This registration process establishes an Intern on the Register of Psychologists for the duration of his or her post-graduate study, but only permits practice within the confines of that study. On successful completion of the Masters and Post Graduate Diploma (or Doctorate of Clinical Psychology) the Intern can apply for full registration in the scope he or she has qualified in.
Note to Employers - Employers should check that Intern Psychologist employees appear on the Board's Register before allowing them to practise.
This registration is for candidates who have completed formal academic qualifications that have provided them with the foundation competencies required for safe practice in the approved supervised setting, and who are entering a Board-accredited supervised practice scheme to achieve full registration.
This option, known as the ‘Supervision to Registration’ scheme, is currently only available to employees of the Department of Corrections and the New Zealand Defence Force, which are Board-accredited to provide supervision leading to registration. Trainee Psychologists must hold a current practising certificate, which will include supervision conditions.
Application for Registration Form (NZ trained)
Application for Registration Form (overseas trained)
Application for Registration Form (TTMRA)
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