Overview
To practise medicine in New Zealand, you must be registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) and hold a practising certificate. The right route depends on your qualifications, internship, recent experience, registration history, and intended role.
New Zealand is not a copy of the U.S. Match system. There is no single national IMG residency match for all pathways. Instead, you follow an MCNZ registration pathway and then compete for available jobs such as PGY1 House Officer, PGY2+ House Officer, Senior House Officer, Registrar, or Fellow roles depending on your eligibility and experience.
Best first step
Use the MCNZ self-assessment tool before spending money on the wrong pathway.
Main New Zealand Pathways for IMGs
Provisional General Scope Pathways
- Comparable health system – for doctors with recent clinical experience in MCNZ-recognised comparable health systems.
- Competent authority – for UK and Irish graduates who meet the pathway requirements.
- Australian general registrants – for doctors already meeting the AHPRA-based pathway requirements.
- UK general registrants – for doctors with PLAB, suitable postgraduate practice, and full GMC registration.
- Examinations pathway – for doctors who have passed NZREX Clinical, or in some cases PLAB 1 and 2.
Other Scope Pathways
- Provisional vocational / specialist – for IMGs with overseas specialist qualifications.
- Fast-track specialist pathway – available in selected specialties from the UK, Ireland, and Australia.
- Special purpose scopes – temporary routes for specific purposes such as locum tenens, postgraduate training, research, visiting expert, or teleradiology.
Step-by-Step Preparation Roadmap
Use the MCNZ self-assessment tool
Start here to identify the likely registration pathway before collecting documents or applying for exams.
Check your core eligibility
Confirm your primary medical qualification, internship status, current or past registration, and whether your recent practice was in a recognised comparable health system.
Meet English language requirements
MCNZ says applicants for registration and NZREX candidates must meet one of its approved English-language pathways.
Set up EPIC via MyIntealth
Overseas qualifications must be primary-source verified through EPIC, accessed through MyIntealth.
If needed, qualify for NZREX Clinical
NZREX is the exam route when you are not eligible under another registration pathway. Eligibility requires an acceptable degree, English requirements, and a prerequisite exam such as USMLE Step 1 + Step 2 CK, PLAB 1, MCCQE Part I, or AMC MCQ within 5 years.
Pass NZREX Clinical if this is your route
Passing NZREX means you met the exam standard, but it does not itself guarantee registration or employment.
Secure an eligible job offer
For the NZREX pathway, you must obtain a PGY1 role at an accredited prevocational training provider before registration. Other pathways may also require an approved position and supervision.
Register and begin supervised practice
IMGs entering provisional general, provisional vocational, or special purpose scopes are supervised while becoming familiar with New Zealand practice standards and systems.
Current Costs
| Item | Fee (NZD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual practising certificate fee | 826.09 | Separate disciplinary levy is also listed by MCNZ. |
| Disciplinary levy (12 months) | 226.09 | Shown separately in the Gazette notice. |
| Provisional general registration (NZ/Australian/Examinations) | 326.50 | Common fee point for the examinations pathway. |
| Provisional general registration (Australian General Registrants) | 522.40 | Pathway-specific. |
| Provisional general registration (UK General Registrants) | 522.40 | Pathway-specific. |
| Provisional general registration (Competent Authority) | 522.40 | Pathway-specific. |
| Provisional general registration (Comparable Health System) | 1,632.48 | Higher fee because of pathway assessment. |
| Provisional vocational registration | 3,917.96 | For overseas specialist qualifications. |
| NZREX Clinical application fee | 726.12 | Application component. |
| NZREX Clinical examination fee | 4,189.21 | Main exam fee. |
| Special purpose postgraduate training | 1,044.79 | Temporary scope. |
| Special purpose locum / teleradiology / research | 653.00 | Temporary scope. |
Simple cost estimator
Not included in this estimate
- EPIC / MyIntealth costs
- Translations and notarisation
- Travel and accommodation for NZREX in Auckland
- Visa, relocation, indemnity, and job-search costs
- College advice and further specialist-assessment costs where relevant
Certificate & Qualification Verification
Primary-source verification
MCNZ requires doctors with overseas qualifications to have key documents verified from the primary source through ECFMG’s EPIC service, accessed via MyIntealth.
- Primary medical degree must be verified
- For NZREX, prerequisite exam results must also be verified before applying
- Start early because source verification can take time
Common delay points
- Name mismatch across passport, degree, and registration records
- Unclear or incomplete scanned documents
- University or exam body slow to respond
- Applying for jobs before verification is underway
How Much Mark Is Needed?
NZREX Clinical
MCNZ reports whether you achieved the required standard. It does not present NZREX as a score-chasing process like U.S. Step 2 CK.
Prerequisite exams
For NZREX eligibility, you must already have passed a recognised prerequisite exam within 5 years.
Jobs / training entry
There is no national “minimum residency score” page like in the U.S. Job offers depend on eligibility, pathway, CV, references, visa/work rights, and vacancies.
NZREX key facts
- Average pass rate over the last 5 years: 66%
- Pass remains valid for 5 years
- Passing NZREX does not guarantee registration or employment
Best way to think about “chances”
- First: are you eligible for a pathway?
- Second: can you complete verification cleanly?
- Third: can you secure a suitable job offer?
- Fourth: do you meet supervision and training requirements after starting?
Training and Getting Into New Zealand Jobs
What “residency” looks like in New Zealand
New Zealand commonly uses titles such as House Officer (PGY1 / PGY2), Senior House Officer, Registrar, and Fellow. PGY1 and PGY2 are part of prevocational medical training.
- PGY1: entry-level supervised year
- PGY2: second prevocational year
- Registrar: vocational/specialty training level
How jobs are accessed
- Health New Zealand careers site lists current vacancies
- There are dedicated pages for PGY1 House Officers, PGY2+, Registrars, and Fellows
- NZREX/PLAB-linked PGY1 applicants still need to compete for available positions