Occupational Therapy Board of NZ (OTBNZ)

The Occupational Therapy Board of NZ (OTBNZ) is the statutory body responsible for the registration and oversight of occupational therapy practitioners in New Zealand. This website provides information on registration applications, practising certificates, supervision of occupational therapists, conditions on scope of practice, complaints procedures, and more. Feel free to browse the information on the website by using the tabs above or by using the search bar.  Quick access to the most common links is provided on the left-hand side of the page, and a selection of the most recent OTBNZ news articles can be found to the right.

Overseas qualified applicants

Applications for registration from applicants who have undertaken their training overseas are considered on a case by case basis – the OTBNZ does not operate any form of accreditation system for overseas qualifications.   In making a decision about eligibility for registration, the OTBNZ assessors:

• consider the comparability of an applicant’s occupational therapy qualifications with the prescribed qualifications for registration in New Zealand
• determine whether there are any gaps in the qualifications, and if so, whether these gaps are mitigated by postgraduate experience and training.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR OVERSEAS TRAINED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

In order to work legally as an occupational therapist in New Zealand it is necessary to:

• be registered by the Occupational Therapy OTBNZ of New Zealand (the OTBNZ), which is the regulatory body governing the practice of occupational therapy
• hold a current practising certificate. 

The registration and practising certificate application process does not usually exceed four weeks in total - from the time the OTBNZ receives a complete application.  However, it may take longer than four weeks for an application to go through the necessary processes leading to an OTBNZ decision.   This should be taken into account when making travel and employment plans.

NEW APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION

Therapists who have undertaken their training overseas have their qualifications considered on a case by case basis.  The OTBNZ does not accredit overseas occupational therapy qualifications.  Applications are submitted to the OTBNZ’s Assessors who consider the comparability of qualifications to New Zealand standards and entry level competency.

OTBNZ COMPETENCE EXAMINATION

Where applicants fail to satisfy the OTBNZ of the comparability of their qualification they may be given the opportunity of undertaking the OTBNZ’s Examination.

REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISRATION

Under section 15 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCAA) the OTBNZ may register an applicant within the scope of practice ‘General Scope of Practice:  Occupational Therapist’ if the applicant:

• is fit for registration in accordance with section 16; and
• has the qualifications that are prescribed, under section 12, for that scope of practice; and
• is competent to practise within that scope of practice.

Fitness for registration

(i) English language requirements

If English is not the applicant’s first or home language, the OTBNZ requires him/her to demonstrate proficiency in English.  The OTBNZ’s policy requirement is International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic test results, with an overall score of 7.5 and a minimum score of 7 in each band.  The full English language policy is available at the OTBNZ website at www.otboard.org.nz.

(ii) Assessment of criminal convictions

Section 16(c) of the HPCA Act 2003. states that no applicant for registration may be registered if he or she has been convicted in New Zealand or elsewhere of any offence punishable by imprisonment for a term of 3 months or longer, and he or she does not satisfy the responsible authority that, having regard to all the circumstances, including the time that has elapsed since the conviction, the offence does not reflect adversely on his or her fitness to practise as a health practitioner of that profession. The OTBNZ will consider each case on its merits in order to be satisfied that the person is fit to practise as an occupational therapist in New Zealand.  

(iii) Physical and mental health

In order to register an applicant, the OTBNZ must be satisfied that he/she is able to perform the functions required for the practice of occupational therapy, and that he/she is not prevented from doing so because of some mental or physical condition.

(iv) Good standing

In determining an applicant’s fitness for registration, the OTBNZ is required to take into consideration:

• professional disciplinary proceedings, (whether in New Zealand or in another country)
• investigations in respect of any matter that may be the subject of professional disciplinary proceedings, (whether in New Zealand or in another country)
• orders of professional disciplinary tribunals, (whether in New Zealand or in another country)
• any issue which may give the OTBNZ reason to believe that an applicant may endanger the health or safety of members of the public

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