Resources: Webinar
Our professional advisors, Damon and Kathryn join RTP supervisor Jessie Snowdon to discuss what the Return to Practice programme involves for both the physiotherapist and the supervisor.
There are additional questions and answers not addressed in the webinar here.
To practice as a physiotherapist in Aotearoa | New Zealand you need to be registered with the Board and hold a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC). We know that physiotherapists will take some time away from the workforce for a range of reasons, so the Return to Practice process is one mechanism the Board uses to be assured physiotherapists who have been away from the physiotherapy workforce for a significant period of time are eligible to hold an APC and competent to practice.
Note: If you have previously cancelled your registration with the Board, you first need to restore your name on the Register before submitting a Return to Practice form. For more information about restoration of registration please click here
Who can apply?
- Physiotherapists who hold registration in the General Scope with the Board who have not legally practised in the last 3 years.
If you are unsure if this applies to you, please email us at [email protected] using ‘Query on Return to Practice’ in the subject heading.
What does it cost?
Please refer to our Fees Schedule here. Please note that the application fee is non-refundable.
How long does it take to process an application?
Once all required documents have been received, Return to Practice applications are currently taking on average 4 weeks to process. Please note these timeframes are subject to change.
To avoid delays in processing your application ensure you include all the required information. Your application may be declined or returned for further work if it is not complete.
What preparation is needed before you apply?
Before you apply you will need to have a physiotherapy position secured and have arranged your supervisors.
You should also take the time to read through and understand the Physiotherapy Standards Framework, particularly as this may have been developed or updated, since you last practised. The Standards Framework covers the minimum standard of ethical conduct, clinical, and cultural competence that registered physiotherapists legally need to meet.
Selecting your supervisors
You will need to provide information for a nominated and alternate supervisor to be approved by the Registrar. These supervisors:
- should be a professional peer, and
- should be a physiotherapist practising in the same area of practice, and
- must hold a current APC and be in good standing with the Board, and
- have a least five years of physiotherapy experience in Aotearoa | New Zealand.
It is highly recommended that your supervisor and alternate supervisor be working in the same physical location as you plan to work. This is due to requirements of conditions on some supervision programmes, such as, direct supervision (supervisor needing to be on site), in person peer reviews which may be required as part of your supervision programme. Please contact the Board if you have any questions about selecting your supervisor.
What is the process for applying?
Phase 1: Preparing and submitting your documents
This application process is entirely online, there is a link at the end of this page to use to start an application. Please note that you do not have to pay until you submit your application at the end of the form.
Before you apply you will need to have a physiotherapy position secured, have arranged your supervisors, and prepared your Professional Development Plan. The following items are required with your application:
- *Reflection Template
- *Curriculum Vitae Template
- *Professional Development Plan Template
- *Proposed role and supervisor information form
* Document must be provided on the Board template – click the document name above to download the template.
Phase 2: Application review
After you submit your application, we will review it for completeness. If documents or evidence are missing or we have concerns about your eligibility, we will email you for further information before your application is sent on for processing.
Once sent on for processing, the Registrar reviews your application in accordance with the Board’s Return to Practice Policy. Possible outcomes are:
- The Registrar drafts a proposed Supervision Plan that is presented to you and your nominated supervisors for approval.
- If this is accepted, you are issued an Annual Practising Certificate (APC) with conditions.
- If you feel that amendments are required, you can discuss this with the Registrar to see if your Supervision Plan can be adjusted. If the updates are agreed upon by the Registrar, and you and your supervisors sign off on the updated document, you are issued an Annual Practising Certificate (APC) with conditions.
- Your application is declined.
- This will ordinarily only be the case if the assessment concludes that the level of retraining required would be equivalent to or exceed repeating an Aotearoa | New Zealand undergraduate physiotherapy degree. Retraining will, in most cases, require the completion of a further pre-registration physiotherapy qualification.
How long does the supervision programme run for?
You can use the chart below to get a better idea on what the potential outcome of your Return to Practice application could be.
Find the number of years you have been practising as a Physiotherapist on the left, and the number of years since you last practised on the top. The intersection of these two lines will give you an idea on how other applications with similar characteristics have gone.
Please note this is not a guarantee on the outcome of an application, but merely an indication on how it might progress to help you plan for the future.
What does the Return to Practice Supervision Programme involve?
If you are successful and issued an APC with conditions, your Supervision Plan will set out the necessary requirements for you and your supervisor. The programme is likely to include regular supervision meetings to discuss progress towards meeting the thresholds/ competencies, regular peer reviews, discussions around your CPD and how the Physiotherapy Standards Framework relates to your practice. There are examples in the resource section below of a 6 month and 12-month plan.
Application Resources
Example of Six Month RTP Supervision Programme
Example of Twelve Month RTP Supervision Programme
Important information for supervisors
From 1 November 2024, the Board | te Poari is changing the way that Return to Practice supervision reports are submitted. While the requirements of the programme will remain the same, including peer reviews, clinical reasoning discussions, updating CPD and PDP, and discussing the Physiotherapy Standards Framework, the reporting will only involve the submission of:
- a supervision report
AND
- an updated thresholds and competencies template.
Both templates are available to be downloaded below.
At completion of the return to practice supervision, the Supervisor should upload the completed documents by using the “Submit a Supervision Report” button below.
Please note from time to time the Board | te Poari may require further evidence to be submitted, for example, copies of peer review documents, case discussion documents and/or updated professional development plans.
Supervisors Resources
Board ordered supervision standard (effective from 1 April 2024)
Board ordered supervision modules
Supervisor’s Report – Return to Practice Programme
Thresholds and Competencies Template
Clinical Reasoning and Case Study Discussion form
If you have any questions, please contact us via [email protected] or by calling us on +64 4 471 2610 during business hours (8am-4.30pm NZDT). We can provide advice on the preparation of your application; however, we are not able to advise you on whether or not it will succeed.