What a doctor trained abroad needs to register in New Zealand
Read from the regulator's own documents. Each step shows what it costs, who usually pays, and the date we last checked it. Enter your details and we tell you which of these you already meet.
Comparable health system pathway (provisional general scope)
For doctors with recent practice and current registration in one of the 29 countries the Council recognises as comparable. A job offer with supervision, EPIC verification and English evidence lead to provisional general registration within 20 working days.
- 1Acceptable primary medical qualification
- 2Confirm your medical school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (search.wdoms.org)
- 3At least 33 months of clinical practice in the last 48 months (20 or more hours a week) in a comparable health system, with current full or general registration there
- 4English: IELTS 7 in listening, reading and speaking with 6.5 in writing, or OET 350/350/350 with 300 in writing (one sitting, or two within 12 months; valid two years)you pay · Source ↗
- 5Primary source verification of your degree through ECFMG's EPIC (MyIntealth)~6 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
- 6Certificates of good standing from every regulator you have been registered with~4 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
- 7Job offer that includes supervision, then apply for provisional general registration (NZD 1,935.55; decision in 20 working days)~4 weeks · ~NZD 1,936 · who pays varies · Source ↗
- 8Overseas Employment Certificate from the Department of Migrant Workers, through a DMW-licensed recruitment agency or an employer the DMW allows to hire directly (Filipino workers)who pays varies · Source ↗
Examinations pathway (NZREX Clinical, PLAB or AMC)
For doctors outside the comparable systems. A pass in the last five years in NZREX Clinical, PLAB 1 and 2, or the AMC MCQ and clinical exams, EPIC verification and a PGY1 job offer lead to provisional general registration and the intern training programme.
- 1Acceptable primary medical qualification
- 2Confirm your medical school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (search.wdoms.org)
- 3English: IELTS 7 in listening, reading and speaking with 6.5 in writing, or OET 350/350/350 with 300 in writing (valid within two years of the NZREX date), or the NZREX or PLAB pass itself for registrationyou pay · Source ↗
- 4Primary source verification of your degree and prerequisite exam through ECFMG's EPIC (MyIntealth), before applying for NZREX~6 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
- 5Pass NZREX Clinical (application NZD 860.92 plus exam NZD 4,966.94), or PLAB 1 and 2, or the AMC MCQ and clinical exams, within the last five years~26 weeks · ~NZD 5,828 · you pay · Source ↗
- 6Certificates of good standing from every regulator you have been registered with~4 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
- 7PGY1 job offer at an accredited training provider, then apply for provisional general registration (NZD 387.11)~8 weeks · ~NZD 387 · who pays varies · Source ↗
- 8Overseas Employment Certificate from the Department of Migrant Workers, through a DMW-licensed recruitment agency or an employer the DMW allows to hire directly (Filipino workers)who pays varies · Source ↗
United Kingdom general registrants pathway
For doctors who passed PLAB 1 and 2, completed Foundation Year 1 or 2 or 12 months in an approved UK setting, and hold full GMC registration. EPIC verification, English evidence and a supervised job offer lead to provisional general registration.
- 1Acceptable primary medical qualification
- 2Confirm your medical school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (search.wdoms.org)
- 3Passed Parts 1 and 2 of the PLAB test
- 4Full general registration with the GMC after Foundation Year 1 or 2 or 12 months in an approved UK practice setting
- 5English: IELTS 7 in listening, reading and speaking with 6.5 in writing, or OET 350/350/350 with 300 in writing (one sitting, or two within 12 months; valid two years)you pay · Source ↗
- 6Primary source verification of your degree through ECFMG's EPIC (MyIntealth)~6 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
- 7Certificates of good standing from every regulator you have been registered with~4 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
- 8Job offer that includes supervision, then apply for provisional general registration (NZD 619.38; decision in 20 working days)~4 weeks · ~NZD 619 · who pays varies · Source ↗
- 9Overseas Employment Certificate from the Department of Migrant Workers, through a DMW-licensed recruitment agency or an employer the DMW allows to hire directly (Filipino workers)who pays varies · Source ↗
Competent authority pathway (UK and Irish graduates)
For doctors with a primary medical degree from the UK or Ireland who completed their internship there. EPIC verification, English evidence and a supervised job offer lead to provisional general registration.
- 1Primary medical degree from the UK or Ireland with the internship completed in the UK or Ireland
- 2English: IELTS 7 in listening, reading and speaking with 6.5 in writing, or OET 350/350/350 with 300 in writing, unless English is your first language and your degree was taught in Englishyou pay · Source ↗
- 3Primary source verification of your degree through ECFMG's EPIC (MyIntealth)~6 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
- 4Certificates of good standing from every regulator you have been registered with~4 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
- 5Job offer that includes supervision, then apply for provisional general registration (NZD 619.38; decision in 20 working days)~4 weeks · ~NZD 619 · who pays varies · Source ↗
- 6Overseas Employment Certificate from the Department of Migrant Workers, through a DMW-licensed recruitment agency or an employer the DMW allows to hire directly (Filipino workers)who pays varies · Source ↗
Rules checked 23 Oct 2026 · outcomeOS describes each regulator's published rules; it does not advise on your individual case. · Privacy · Terms