In line with its Special Purposes Scope of Practice Policy the Board has developed a mechanism for the registration and issuing of a practising certificate. The name of the scope is Response to COVID-19.

Practitioners who are registered and hold a current practising certificate do not need to apply.

1. Applicants for Registration

The following requirements for consideration for registration in this scope are:

1. Those who have a prescribed New Zealand or equitable overseas qualification approved by the Board; or
2. Those who have appropriate training and experience as described in section 15(2) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2004 (HPCAA).
3. Those who are fit for registration;
4. Those who are competent to practice within a scope of practice under this policy;

Additionally, people with a registration history with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand (OTBNZ)

5. Those paying registration maintenance and have practised within the last 3 years.
6. Those who have not held a practising certificate for the last 3 years.
7. Those who have retired from practising within the last 3 years.
8. Students in an accredited occupational therapy programme.

2. Ineligibility of Applicants

The following should not apply for registration in a special purposes scope of practice:

1. Those who have had had their names removed from the register by the Board under sections 146 or 147 of the HPCAA, or by order of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
2. Those who have, within the last 3 years, had their registration suspended by the Board.
3. Those who have disciplinary or competence issues within another jurisdiction.
4. Those who have had, in the last 3 years, conditions in their scope of practice under: sections 39 (interim suspension), 50 (inability to perform functions (health)), 67A (notice of conviction), 69 (pending investigation, conduct in doubt), or 101 (penalties of tribunal) of the HPCAA.

3. Registration Requirements for Special Purposes Scope Responding to COVID-19

To obtain registration within the Special Purposes Scope Responding to COVID-19 the applicant must:

1. Be fit for registration;
2. Be deemed competent to practice;
3. Hold an acceptable qualification, or be formally studying for a recognised qualification which would, when successfully completed, would lead to registration with the Board;
4. Be sponsored by the educational institution where the student is studying;
5. Meet the Board’s English language policy¹; and
6. Meet the supervision requirements described in item 4.2 below.

4. Conditions while Practising within the Special Purposes Scope Responding to COVID-19

Once registered in a special purposes scope the registrant must practice:

1. Within New Zealand;
2. Be under the supervision of another occupational therapist or registered health professional with a current practising certificate²; and,
3. Work within the requirements of the particular scope.

5. Duration of Special Purposes Scope Responding to COVID-19

The duration of the Special Purposes Scope Responding to COVID-19 will be 6 months.

6. Issuing of Practising Certificates

Following successful registration applicants will be issued a practising certificate identifying the name and any conditions of Special Purposes Scope Responding to COVID-19. This will be an electronic practising certificate indicating the timeframe of the certificate.

7. Fees

There will be no fees payable for applications to register and receive a practising certificate for Special Purposes Scope Responding to COVID-19.

8. Applying for registration and practising certificate in the Special Purposes Scope Responding to COVID-19

Applications for registration and a practising certificate for the Special Purposes Scope Responding to COVID-19 can be made here.

Dated at Wellington this 26th day of March 2020.

ANDREW CHARNOCK, Registrar, Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand.

1 At times of crisis this requirement may be lessened following agreement by the Board.

2 The level of supervision will be what can be reasonably achieved within the particular situation and level of crisis.