Annual Licence Renewal : New Zealand Medical Laboratory Science Board

Under the HPCA Act, a person must hold a current practising certificate to practise as a health practitioner. The Annual Practising Certificate (APC) fees are $175 (MLS) and $140 (MLT).

Practising the profession without a current practising certificate contravenes section 7 of the HPCA Act and would make the person liable to a fine of up to $10,000. This requirement and fine applies to all registered health professions in New Zealand.

To obtain a practising certificate, you must apply to the Board on the APC application form and the Board may be required to assess your competence to practice if you have not practised the profession for three years. Please read the information on page 2 of the application form before applying.

Please make all cheques payable to the Medical Laboratory Science Board.

CPD Programme for Medical Laboratory Scientists

The Board has approved the CPD programme (Continuing Professional Development programme) offered by the NZ Institute of Medical Laboratory Science as a recertification programme under section 41 of the HPCA Act. It is a Board requirement that, to hold an Annual Practising Certificate, a medical laboratory scientist must enrol and participate in an approved recertification programme unless exempted by the Board.

Information on enrolment in the CPD programme is available from the NZIMLS, at www.nzimls.org.nz or via cpd@nzimls.org.nz.

To be exempted from the requirement to join the CPD programme, you would need to write to the Board and provide a reason for being exempted. Short-term residence in NZ while on locum work may be accepted as a reason.