Vocational registration in Aotearoa New Zealand

International psychiatrists who want to work as a psychiatrist in Aotearoa New Zealand may apply for vocational registration.

Vocational registration is a form of permanent, specialist registration that allows you to work independently in New Zealand. It is not a pathway to Fellowship.

The Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) manages the vocational registration process.

Eligibility for vocational registration

The Medical Council of New Zealand provides a self-assessment tool to guide your options for registration.

Medical Council of New Zealand - Registration Self-Assessment Tool 

Applying for vocational registration

Contact the Medical Council of New Zealand, who manage this process.

Medical Council of New Zealand - Psychiatry 

Affiliate membership of the RANZCP 

If you gain vocational registration from the MCNZ,  the RANZCP invites you to become an Affiliate member. 

Affiliate members can participate in the RANZCP’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program as well as benefit from participation in College events and conferences, Committees, Faculties, Sections, Networks and Special Interest Groups, online learning, journal subscriptions and a range of other benefits.

Becoming a Fellow

If you wish to become a Fellow after gaining provisional or vocational registration in psychiatry with the MCNZ, you may choose to pursue specialist assessment by the RANZCP and complete requirements for the specialist pathway.

In New Zealand, Fellowship of the RANZCP is not a requirement for specialist registration.