The information here provides an overview of the registration requirements and processes for New Zealand Graduates; please familiarise yourself with the following documents:
Registered Health Practitioners: Dietitian – this provides an overview of the legal framework for registration and practising dietetics in New Zealand.
Information for New Zealand Graduating Students – this contains important information about the process of registration for those who have graduated from an accredited educational institution dietetic programme in New Zealand.
English Language Requirements – Your education provider will submit a declaration that states whether an applicant is able to communicate and comprehend effectively
in English in order to work as a Registered Dietitian in New Zealand.
Whatever your career path within the dietetics and nutrition fields it is important that you are practising legally. Please take time to read these documents to familiarise yourself with the legal framework for health practitioners in New Zealand and the processes the Board has to ensure this framework is adhered to.
If you have any questions about registration and practising, don’t hesitate to contact the Board.
Practising as a Dietitian in New Zealand
There are two requirements to practise as a Dietitian in New Zealand:
- You must register with the Dietitians Board – usually you will do this only once in your career.
- You must hold an Annual Practising Certificate, which must be renewed in March each year.
Qualification Requirements for Registration
You can register as a Dietitian in New Zealand if you have:
- Masters of Dietetics from the University of Otago
- Master of Science (Nutrition and Dietetics) from Massey University
- Master of Health Sciences in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Auckland
Process for Registration
You can apply for registration anytime after you have handed in your thesis.
To Register you need to submit an application to the Board through the online portal. This can be done by clicking the "Apply for Registration" button at the bottom of this page.
What MUST be provided?
Please ensure all supporting documentation is correctly certified:
- Certified copy of current passport (identity page, including photo and signature) OR current New Zealand driver's license (front and back).
- Certified evidence of name change (if applicable)
- A NZ criminal record check - apply online here. A report will be sent to you, please attach this to your application in the portal.
- Certified criminal record checks from any other applicable countries (any country you have spent 12 months or longer, since the age of 17)
- One character/fitness to practise reference - Your reference must be emailed to the Board directly from your referee. Reference Guidelines can be sent to the referee for further information.
- Certified evidence of IELTS/OET results (if applicable)
IMPORTANT
- The Board cannot complete your application for registration until we have confirmation from your educational institution that you have successfully completed your course.
- Submitting your application form early enables the Board to begin processing your preliminary information.
- Once your application for registration is processed you will start to receive regular newsletters and other important notices from the Board.
- A Registration Certificate can be downloaded from the Practitioner Portal.
Working while you are in the Process of Registering/Obtaining an APC
If you are working (including part-time, voluntarily, or in other unpaid activity) before or during your registration and APC application process and that work is in any dietetic/nutrition/food-related environment you must take care to ensure you work in accordance with the regulatory framework.
Please refer to the Information for New Zealand Graduating Students, Practising Dietetics Legally in NZ and Requirement to Hold and APC documents for clarity on this.