New Zealand Applicants

Ngā Kaitono O Aotearoa

Applying for Registration

To practise as an osteopath in New Zealand you must be registered with the Osteopathic Council. You must also have a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC).

Apply for registration

Please allow a minimum of 5 - 7 working days for the Council to process a fully completed application for registration. Note that the fee for registration is a one-off fee, but the APC must be paid for on an annual basis. The APC year runs from 1 April to 31 March of the following year.

You may apply for registration only if you hold a qualification:
  • Accredited by the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand, being:
    • a Master of Osteopathy; or
    • a Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health and Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy; and
  • Awarded by an institution accredited by the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand
    • This currently includes Unitec Institute of Technology, Ara Institute of Canterbury and Te Pūkenga New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
OR
  • You have passed the OCNZ qualifications assessment process.
 The Osteopathic Council does not, at present, recognise any other New Zealand qualification.

Trainee Scope of Practice

Registered trainee osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners who are enrolled in the prescribed qualification for the general osteopathic scope of practice at Unitec. The trainee osteopath will have submitted the final draft of their thesis for marking. All other components of the required course will be completed to a satisfactory level. The Council sees that this final marking stage of the thesis and the time that it takes, should not prevent practice of the student. The student will need to be working in a group practice to ensure peer support and is required to practise within the General Osteopathic Scope of Practice and comply with all related codes and practice standards.

The period of time that a trainee osteopath can practise under this scope of practice will normally be limited to six months but may be extended at Council's discretion.

Click here for the requirements for obtaining the trainee scope of practice.
 
Please note:

If more than 6 months has elapsed since the completion of  the clinical  components of the qualification leading to registration and your application for an initial annual practising certificate, you may be required to demonstrate your competence to practise. Council will consider issues of recency of practice on an individual basis. Please contact the Registrar to discuss your options.