Register as a nurse
Kua rēhita hei tapuhi
The Council is responsible under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 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 they wish to register
- is competent to practise within that scope of practice.
Fitness for registration
An applicant must satisfy the Council that they:
- are able to communicate effectively in order to practise nursing
- are able to comprehend and communicate in English sufficiently well to protect the health and safety of the public
- do not have a physical or mental condition that means they are unable to practise
- do not have a court conviction that may reflect adversely on their fitness to practise
- are not the subject of any investigation, disciplinary proceedings or disciplinary order, in New Zealand or any other country, that reflects adversely on their fitness to practise
- knows of no reason why their registration would endanger public health or safety.
Qualifications
New Zealand graduates
New Zealand nursing graduates must have:
a. a bachelor’s degree in nursing approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand or
b. a graduate nursing qualification at Level 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand or
c. a postgraduate nursing qualification at Level 8 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand and
d. a pass in an assessment of Nursing Council standards of competence for registered and enrolled nurses by an approved provider and
e. a pass in a state final examination for registered and enrolled nurses set by the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
New Zealand nurse registration
Applicants who have successfully completed an approved programme of study in New Zealand can apply for registration as a nurse in the scope of practice for which their qualification is prescribed. You will need to supply:
- state final examination results
- evidence of support for registration from the head of the school of nursing at the institution at which they studied.
- provide two referees from persons of good standing in the community where they live. These people must have been known to the applicant during the period of their nursing education and must not be a relative, flatmate, fellow student or nursing educator from the applicant's educational institution.
- a signed declaration that you meet the fitness for registration requirements (see above).
The Council considers each application for registration on an individual basis, and may require further information to support the application.
If an applicant has a court conviction or other issues impacting on fitness to practise, they may be asked to provide additional information and/or meet with a committee of the Council. The Nursing Council registers successful applicants as soon as practicable after they pass the examination. Nurses are then required to apply for an annual practising certificate.
Unsuccessful applicants will have an opportunity to discuss their application with the Council. An unsuccessful applicant may appeal the decision to the District Court.
For further enquiries please email [email protected].
Internationally qualified nurses
If you are a nurse with overseas qualifications and would like to register to practise in Aotearoa, New Zealand, please click here.