Annual Practising Certificate
Annual Practising Certificate (APC)
All Dietitians who wish to practise dietetics in NZ must be registered with the Dietitians Board and hold a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC)
The Dietitians Board promotes and protects the public interest by providing for mechanisms to ensure that dietitians are qualified, competent and fit to practise their profession. To achieve this, the Dietitians Board provides frameworks for the regulation of the dietetic profession The APC is one such mechanism under the HPCA Act 2003.
An APC must be held each year you are practising.
For clarity – if you are a Registered Dietitian you should hold an APC if any of the following apply:
- You are using your knowledge and skills as a Dietitian
- Your job description requires you to be a Registered Dietitian
- The position you are employed in requires that you are a health professional
- You are calling yourself a Dietitian (or representing in any manner that you are authorised to practise dietetics)
- You use your dietetic knowledge in your employment
The requirement to hold an annual practising certificate is not restricted to provision of direct clinical care. It applies to any role that involves the safe, effective, delivery of dietetic services impacting on the public and, as such, includes part-time and voluntary work.
It is important you familiarise yourself with the Requirement to hold Annual Practising Certificate.
Applying for an APC?
First APC
Once you have been granted Registration by the Board you can apply for your first APC through the dietitians portal.
Annual APC Renewals
The practising year runs from 1 April to 31 March. During March each year practitioners are required to renew their APC for the following year. Before you can renew your certificate, all professional development (MyCCP) requirements must be met.
Non- Practising Declaration
If you will not be practising and wish to remain on the Register you must make a Non-Practising declaration at the start of each practising year and pay the Registration Maintenance fee.
Should you wish to return to practise at any stage during the year you will need to apply for an APC at least two weeks before you return to work. Your MyCCP credits can be pro rata for the time you hold an APC.
Changing from Non-Practising to Practising OR Returning to Practice after more than 2 years
You can make your practising declaration online through your portal. Your MyCCP credits can be pro rata for the time you hold an APC.
Payment
Annual Practising Certificate (APC) 2023/2024 fee – $625 (includes GST)
Registration Maintenance (Non-Practising Declaration; NPD) fee – $90 (includes GST)
Part Year – 1 December to 31 March APC fee – $300 (includes GST)
Payment for either may be made using the following credit cards: MasterCard and VISA.
Please do not send cash or cheques.
Bulk payments for APC’s are unable to be made.
Returning to practice
If you are returning to practice after being on maternity leave or overseas and don’t need an APC until after 1 December, a discounted fee applies (see above).
Between 1 April and 1 December, you will need to make a Non-Practising Declaration ($90) for the period you are not practising.
If you will not be renewing your APC for 2023/2024 you MUST complete a Non-Practising declaration through the Dietitians Login Portal.
Downloading your certificate
You can download your APC from your Dashboard 36 hours following payment and verification. The APC is a legal document – please keep it in a safe place.
Who’s responsibility it is to renew my APC?
Practitioners are reminded it is their responsibility to renew their APC not their employer’s and not to leave it until the very last minute.