Kia ora! We are so pleased that you’re interested in applying for registration as a physiotherapist here in beautiful Aotearoa New Zealand.
Registration is a legal process, aimed at protecting the public. The Board will grant registration to applicants who are considered competent and fit for registration. The registration process varies depending on where you were educated, where you are currently registered to practise, and which scope you wish to practise under.
To legally practise as a physiotherapist in Aotearoa New Zealand, you are required to hold registration with the Physiotherapy Board and hold an Annual Practising Certificate (APC) for the practising year you intend to work in.
This is the case for any role, voluntary or paid, where your physiotherapy skills or knowledge are used. Please note that applying for registration does not guarantee registration. Be cautious when applying for or accepting job offers in New Zealand until your registration status with the Board is confirmed.
Accuracy of information
Under section 172 of the HPCA Act, it is a criminal offence to make a false declaration and/or provide false or misleading information.
Under section 19 of the HPCA Act, the Board may, if it thinks fit for any reason, receive any information from any person in respect of an application being considered by the Board.
Additionally, applicants are advised that the Board may question any of the following persons and/or organisations as to the applicant’s suitability for registration, including fitness for registration, verification of prescribed qualification and/or competence to practice within the nominated scope of practice:
- The referee or referees nominated by the applicant.
- The applicant’s educational institution/s.
- The applicant’s physiotherapy regulatory authority overseas (if applicable).
- The applicant’s listed professional organisations (if applicable).
- The applicant’s current and/or previous employer/s (if applicable).
- Any other person or organisation notified by the Board in any individual case.
The Physiotherapy practice thresholds in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
All applications for registration are assessed against the Physiotherapy practice thresholds in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Physiotherapy practice thresholds describe the threshold competence required for initial registration and continuing practice as a physiotherapist in both Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Applicants need to demonstrate that they can meet all of the key competencies for the seven roles outlined in the Physiotherapy practice thresholds. The key competencies that need to be demonstrated are specific to the individual scopes of practice.
Before you look at applying for registration, please take some time to learn about the Physiotherapy practice thresholds. This video introduces the thresholds and highlights some of its key points.
Scopes of Practice
There are three Scopes of Practice for physiotherapists in Aotearoa New Zealand:
- General Scope of Practice
- Advanced Practice Physiotherapist
- Physiotherapy Specialist
For information about the scopes, please read the Gazette notice.
Registration pathways
All physiotherapists must be registered under the General Scope of Practice.
Please click here or on the General Scope tile below to learn more about registration in the General Scope of Practice and to apply for registration.
In order to obtain registration under the Advanced Practice Physiotherapist (APP) or Specialist Scope, you will need to be registered in the General Scope, have been practicing in Aotearoa New Zealand for a minimum of one year and meet the entry criteria.
Please click on the tiles below to learn more about the entry criteria and to apply for registration in the APP and Specialist scopes.