Rēhitatanga

Registration – overseas qualification

Applying for registration using an overseas qualification

In addition to the registration process, practitioners who have undertaken their psychotherapy training overseas and whose qualification is not recognised by Te Poari o ngā Kaihaumanu Hinengaro o Aotearoa (the Board) will have their qualification considered on a case-by-case basis. This is because no two overseas qualifications are the same. Qualifications also evolve over time.

Applicants will submit evidence that they meet the criteria expected for a comparable qualification. Board assessors will consider the comparability of the psychotherapy qualification.

For any person seeking registration as a Psychotherapist, but who has not completed a Board prescribed qualification, their application is assessed based on the Board's comparable qualifications policy.

Please click here for access to the comparable qualification assessment form.

Important information

Overseas-qualified practitioners who are unable to meet the comparable qualification requirements may be eligible to apply for registration via the professional development pathway. Please note that practitioners will need to be living in Aotearoa to be eligible for this pathway.

Professional development pathway

The professional development pathway was created for practitioners who have a mixture of psychotherapy skills, knowledge and professional development and psychotherapy qualifications.

This pathway acknowledges competent practitioners who have undertaken a variety of training but not specifically a Master’s level qualification in psychotherapy.

Organisations approved to carry out assessments are:

• Australian and New Zealand Society of Jungian Analysts
• Association of Psychotherapists Aotearoa New Zealand (through their Advanced Clinical Practice pathway)

You will need to approach the above organisations directly to discuss the pathway(s) which they offer. You will subsequently need to provide evidence to the Board that you have completed the organisation’s requirements prior to applying for registration.

Public Register

All registered practitioners appear in the Public Register. For persons approved for registration and having an overseas qualification accepted by the Board, this will be recorded on the Public Register as 'Comparable Qualification accepted by the Board under section 15 of the HPCA Act'.