The requirement to pass the New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREX Clinical) depends on your qualifications and the specific registration pathway you are eligible for with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).
1. Comparable Health System Pathway:
If you have recent clinical experience in a healthcare system recognized by the MCNZ as comparable to New Zealand's, you may be eligible for registration without sitting the NZREX Clinical exam. As of March 2025, the MCNZ recognizes the following countries as having comparable health systems:
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
Note: Japan and South Korea were recently added to this list.
Eligibility Criteria for the Comparable Health System Pathway:
To qualify for this pathway, you must:
- Have an acceptable primary medical qualification.
- Have practiced clinically for at least 33 months (minimum 20 hours per week) within the last 48 months in one or more of the recognized comparable health systems.
- Have practiced in the same or a similar area of medicine, and at a similar level of responsibility, as your intended position in New Zealand during those 33 months.
- Hold current full or general registration with the medical regulatory authority of at least one of the comparable health systems worked in during the last 48 months, or be satisfactorily participating in a recognized training program.
- Meet the MCNZ's "fitness for registration" requirements.
If you meet these criteria, you may apply for provisional general registration via the Comparable Health System pathway without the need to pass the NZREX Clinical exam.
Recognized International Examinations:
Alternatively, if you have passed specific international medical examinations, you may be eligible for registration without sitting the NZREX Clinical. Recognized examinations include:
- Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Part 1 and Part 2 (UK)
- Australian Medical Council (AMC) Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) and Clinical Examinations (Australia)
- United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1 and 2 (USA)
- Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part 1 (Canada)
These examinations must have been passed within five years prior to your application for registration in New Zealand.
Requirement to Pass NZREX Clinical:
If you do not meet the criteria for the Comparable Health System pathway or do not hold a recognized international examination, you will need to pass the NZREX Clinical exam to demonstrate your clinical competence before applying for registration.
Next Steps:
- Assess Eligibility: Review the MCNZ's registration pathways to determine if you qualify for an alternative pathway that does not require the NZREX Clinical.
- Prepare for NZREX Clinical: If necessary, prepare thoroughly for the NZREX Clinical to ensure you meet New Zealand's medical practice standards.
For comprehensive information on registration pathways and requirements, refer to the Medical Council of New Zealand's official guidelines.
