APC cycle

APCs are issued in one-year cycles depending on the nurse’s birth date (see table below)

If a nurse returns to work outside her or his usual cycle, the fee payable is reduced and a practising certificate is issued for a shorter period of time.

This allows a nurse to work until she or he comes back into the correct APC cycle.

Processing time

APCs will be issued before the expiry date for those who return their application within six weeks of expiry date and provide the complete documentation requested.

Application packs are posted out three months before all annual renewal dates, e.g. an application pack will be sent at the end of June for all nurses whose renewal date is the 1^st October.

Additional documentation is required from nurses who have practised overseas since they were last issued with a practising certificate (please refer to Overseas and planning to return to New Zealand).  Failure to include this documentation with the application will result in you being issued an interim practising certifcate.

Eligibility to practice

A nurse whose fully completed application has been received by the Nursing Council is deemed to hold an APC from the date the application and payment is received until the date the new practising certificate is issued or until s(he) is notified by the Registration Manager that a practising certificate will not be issued. There are exceptions to this, the Nursing Councill will contact you if this is the case.

Late applications

Nurses who do not apply before the old APC expires may be working without a current APC. This is not permitted under the Act and may lead to disciplinary action.

Employers also have a responsibility to ensure that nurses in their workplace hold current APC to protect public safety.

Fees

If you are newly registered, a practising certificate will be issued that will be valid from the quarter of the year in which it is issued until your annual renewal date as shown in the chart above. This will be valid for either three months (with a fee of NZ$27.50); or six months (with a fee of NZ$55.00); or nine months (with a fee of NZ$82.50); or 12 months (with a fee of NZ$110.00) respectively. All fees quoted are inclusive of the compulsory disciplinary levy and GST.