Registration & Practising Certificates

The Council is responsible under the HPCA Act for the registration of nurses in New Zealand. Under the Act the Council must be satisfied that each candidate for registration as a nurse:

• is fit for registration
• has the qualifications prescribed for the scope of practice in which he or she wishes to register
• is competent to practise within that scope of practice.

Fitness for Registration

An applicant must satisfy the Council that he/she:

• is able to communicate effectively in order to practise nursing
• is able to communicate in and comprehend English sufficiently well to protect the health and safety of the public
• does not have a physical or mental condition that means he or she is unable to practise
• does not have a court conviction that may reflect adversely on his/her fitness to practise
• is not the subject of any investigation, disciplinary proceedings or disciplinary order either in New Zealand or any other country that reflects adversely on fitness to practise
• knows of no reason why his or her registration would endanger public health or safety.