NOTICE OF SCOPES OF PRACTICE AND RELATED QUALIFICATIONS
PRESCRIBED BY THE PHYSIOTHERAPY BOARD
The Physiotherapy Board ("the Board") will assume its full responsibilities under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 ("the Act") on 18 September 2004. This notice will take effect from that date.
Scopes of Practice
Pursuant to section 11 (1) of the Act, the Board specifies three scopes of practice as follows:
1. Scope of Practice - Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists are registered healthcare practitioners educated to apply scientific knowledge and clinical reasoning to assess, diagnose and manage human function. They promote mobility, health and independence; rehabilitate; and maximize potential for activity.
2. Scope of Practice - Visiting Physiotherapy Presenter / Educator
Persons who currently practise physiotherapy elsewhere than in New Zealand and plan to visit New Zealand for the purpose of presenting/educating in physiotherapy.
Presenters/educators are required to be registered in New Zealand under a special purpose scope of practice.
Registration with the special purpose scope of practice will usually be authorised for a maximum of one month from the requested commencement date and apply only to that presenting/educating function.
3. Scope of Practice - Postgraduate Physiotherapy Student
Persons who have gained their physiotherapy qualifications elsewhere than in New Zealand and plan to participate in postgraduate study at the School of Physiotherapy, Auckland University of Technology or the School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago.
Postgraduate students are required to be registered in New Zealand under a special purpose scope of practice.
Registration with the special purpose scope of practice will be authorised for the duration of the course of study and apply only to that course of study.
Qualifications Prescribed for Registration in a Scope of Practice
1. Physiotherapist Scope of Practice
Pursuant to section 12 of the Act, the following qualifications are prescribed for registration as a physiotherapist:
À Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy), Auckland University of Technology; OR
À Bachelor of Physiotherapy, University of Otago; OR
À A pass in an assessment set by the Physiotherapy Board for persons holding a physiotherapy qualification gained overseas; OR
À Registration as a physiotherapist in any state or territory which is participating jurisdiction under the provisions of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997.
2. Visiting Presenter / Educator Scope of Practice
Pursuant to section 12 of the Act, the following qualifications are prescribed for registration as a visiting presenter/educator:
À Experience in the provision of health services of the particular kind being presented and/or taught.
3. Postgraduate Student Scope of Practice
Pursuant to section 12 of the Act, the following qualifications are prescribed for registration as a postgraduate student:
À A pass in an assessment set by the Physiotherapy Board for persons holding a physiotherapy qualification gained overseas.

Dated at Wellington this 28th day of July 2004
WILLIAM WHITTAKER, Registrar, Physiotherapy Board