The Board is established to carry out functions determined by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. The HPCA Act sets out the functions of authorities under part 6 section 118 (a-m).

to prescribe the qualifications required for scopes of practice within the profession, and, for that purpose, to accredit and monitor educational institutions and degrees, courses of studies, or programmes:
to authorise the registration of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians under this Act, and to maintain registers:
to consider applications for annual practising certificates:
to review and promote the competence of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians:
to recognise, accredit, and set programmes to ensure the ongoing competence of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians:
to receive and act on information from health practitioners, employers, and the Health and Disability Commissioner about the competence of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians:
to notify employers, the Accident Compensation Corporation, the Director-General of Health, and the Health and Disability Commissioner that the practice of an Optometrist or Dispensing Optician may pose a risk of harm to the public:
to consider the cases of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians who may be unable to perform the functions required for the practice of their profession:
to set standards of clinical competence, cultural competence, and ethical conduct to be observed by Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians:
to liaise with other authorities appointed under the Act about matters of common interest:
to promote education and training in the professions:
to promote public awareness of the responsibilities of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board:
to exercise and perform any other functions, powers, and duties that are conferred or imposed on it by or under this Act or any other enactment.

How to register as an optometrist

To practise as an optometrist in New Zealand, you must be registered with the Board AND hold a current practising certificate. You are welcome to apply for your practising certificate at the same time that you apply for registration. The Board will not process your practising certificate fee until you have been registered.

There are four scopes of practice for optometry, as follows:

Optometrist
Optometrist (TPA endorsement)
Educator Optometrist
Educator Optometrist (TPA endorsement)

If you hold a qualification that has been prescribed by the Board for registration within one of these scopes of practice, you are eligible to apply for registration within that scope of practice.

New Zealand, Australian and overseas trained applicants

are a new graduate from Auckland University or from an Australian university and have not already registered in Australia, or
have passed the Competence in Optometry Examination administered by OCANZ, or
are applying for registration in an Educator Optometrist scope of practice.

Please ensure you attach all requested documentation, including the correct fee. Incomplete applications will be returned.

Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition applicants

NB: Fees are changing from 1 October 2010 to reflect the increase in GST. All applications received after 1 October, or relating to the period on or after 1 October 2010 must be accompanied by the correct fee. Apply using this form if you are currently registered as an optometrist with the Optometry Board of Australia, you are eligible to apply for registration under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997. Please ensure you attach all requested documentation, including the correct fee. Incomplete applications will be returned.

Restoring your name to the Register

For more information, please contact one of our offices

Last Updated: 12 February 2012

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