Two Board Examinations must be sat by Overseas Trained Dietitians who have had their dietetic qualifications recognised. New Zealand Registered Dietitians who have not worked as a dietitian for more than 3 years and wish to return to dietetic practice may also be required to sit.
The Board Examination consists of two stages:
STAGE 1 – Written Examination
Multi-Choice Question Written Examination – MCQ
The MCQ is held twice a year (usually in March and September).
The next MCQ exam is being held Wednesday, 4 September 2024. Applications for this MCQ exam close 25 July 2024.
The date for the March 2025 MCQ exam has not yet been confirmed by Dietitians Australia. DA's exam dates and details page can be found here.
To be eligible to sit the September 2024 MCQ exam, completed applications for Recognition of qualifications (RoQ) needed to be submitted to the NZ Dietitians Board no later than Saturday 11 May 2024.
Once approved to, you will need to apply for the MCQ directly to Dietitians Australia (DA) - email [email protected]. Payment for the exam is made directly to DA, for 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025. Fees may be revised each year.
A results verification process occurs between DA and the NZ Dietitians Board.
A cancellation fee applies if candidates withdraw from an exam.
The online MCQ examination can be sat outside of New Zealand.
You must pass the written MCQ examination to be eligible to sit the oral examination - candidates have 3 attempts only to pass the MCQ.
Note: Dietitians Australia was formally known as the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA).
STAGE 2 – Oral Examination
Oral Examination – Online
The Oral Examination is held twice a year (usually in May and November).
The next Oral examination will be held over 3-4 days in November 2024. Dates currently allocated for Oral examinations are 31 October and 1, 4 and 5 November 2024. Candidates will be advised in advance of the specific date for their examination.
Applications for the November Oral examination will close in October 2024 (exact date TBA). Oral examinations are conducted via Zoom. Please be aware you may need to be available over two days due to scheduling. The May 2025 oral examination is likely to be held in late May 2025 (exact date TBA), and applications for this will close in April 2025 (exact date TBA).
The oral examination consists of a simulated consultation with an actor, a reflective interview, and a final component which consists of 2 short answer written scenarios related to the consultation with a focus on public health interventions and food service systems.
Application and payment are made directly to the Dietitians Board – the current fee for exams being held in the period from 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2025 is NZD$1710.00.
Like the MCQ exam, you have 3 attempts only to pass the Oral Examination.
Both the written and oral examinations must be passed within the same three-year period.
If you are resitting an examination your assessment for eligibility to sit the examination must be current (including the IELTS/OET results).
Your original assessment for eligibility is current for three years.
If your original assessment for eligibility is out of date you will be required to reapply for an assessment for eligibility to sit the examination and pay the appropriate fee.
If you have any queries please contact the Board at [email protected].