Overseas trained doctors

Recognised training programmes

The College has a reciprocal agreement with The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). The Division of Rural Hospital Medicine has a reciprocal agreement with Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

Applying for Prior Specialist Training Pathway to Fellowship  

Step one: Check your qualification is recognised by the College

To apply for our Prior Specialist Training Pathway to Fellowship, you need to have a qualification from an overseas accredited GP training programme that is recognised and approved by the College. (See the College’s recognised programmes below).

If your programme isn’t recognised, please contact the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) for further information.

Step two: Make sure you hold a practising certificate

You must hold a current practising certificate in a general scope of practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand.

Step three: Make sure you hold a current resuscitation certificate

All applicants must have a current Advanced Cardiac Life Support certificate (ACLS). See the list of College-endorsed ACLS courses [PDF]

You must refresh your Advanced Cardiovascular Life Training skills every three years through a College-endorsed course.

Step four: Apply for our Prior Specialist Training pathway

The Prior Specialist Training pathway is open to all doctors who hold one of the qualifications listed in the tables below.

Once enrolled there are activities you will need to complete. This will include completing clinical time in New Zealand in a general scope of practice. To do this you must hold a current practising certificate. You must complete:

1. Different activities depending on whether you have a Group 1 or Group 2 qualification.
2. Clinical time in Aotearoa New Zealand.
3. A Fellowship assessment visit.