Vocational registration in Aotearoa New Zealand

If you are an international psychiatrist who wants to work in Aotearoa New Zealand, you can apply for vocational registration as an alternative to the Fellowship pathways.

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

This tool guides you through a number of questions so you can understand the different pathways available for registration in New Zealand.

Medical Council of New Zealand - Registration Self-Assessment Tool

Learn more and apply

Medical Council of New Zealand - Psychiatry

Affiliate membership of the RANZCP

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

Specialist assessment vs vocational registration

RANZCP Specialist assessment assesses your qualifications and training compared to a RANZCP Fellow. It is a pathway to specialist registration, as well as Fellowship of the RANZCP.

Vocational registration is for NZ registration purposes only and is not a pathway to Fellowship. If you pursue vocational registration, and in future want to attain Fellowship, you will need to complete the specialist assessment process in full.