Practitioners | APC Renewal

Please also refer to the Maintain Competency Pages
Registered dietitians who are practising in New Zealand must hold a Practising Certificate.

A) If you were practising in the 2007/2008 year but you had changed your address and missed out on receiving the renewal package, or you have lost the personalised forms, please download the following (PDF) forms: APC Renewal Application form, the APC Credit Summary Form , Fees Payment form and send these to the Board. Please read the Continuing Competency Information and Checklist before filling in the information. Please note that there is a new category to fill in: Ethnicity.

Attached is also the NZ Health Information Service's (Ministry of Health) Workforce Survey for 2008 to be sent to the Board with your application. For your information please read the NZHIS Survey Results for 2007 and the letter from the Manufactured Foods Database (MFD) for current dietitians, which was sent with the APC Renewal Package.

Alternatively please email the Registrar on dietitians@dietitiansboard.org.nz to send you the forms.

You must complete and sign the Declaration and enclose the one page signed APC Credit Summary form. (NB: You only send in the four page Credit Summary Forms and evidence when you are being audited).

B) If you are Inactive / not practising, that is you do not hold a current APC, you were not sent an APC Renewal Notice. You need to download the following APC application forms (PDF):

Please read the 'Return to Work' section for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions - APC Renewals

Do I need to purchase an Annual Practising Certificate (APC)?
If you intend to practise in New Zealand for all or any part of the practising year (1 April to 31 March) you need to apply for an APC.
What if I am not going to work in the practising year (1 April to 31 March)?
You do not need to apply for an APC. You do need to inform the Board of your intention not to practise. Do this as soon as you decide not to practise, either by letter or email.
Or, if you decide to discontinue practising and have the APC Renewal Notice, tick the non-practising box on the application form, sign, date and return it in the reply paid envelope, or e-mail us notice of your intention to discontinue practising. You are strongly recommended to keep up with some Continuing Competency activities whilst you are Inactive.
Who is responsible for the purchase of an APC?
The dietitian is responsible for making sure they have an APC and for ensuring the fee for it is paid in a timely manner. Otherwise you risk practising unlawfully. Your employer may pay the APC fee on your behalf. Employers will often check on the currency of practitioners' APC's.
I have lost my Renewal Notice and Remittance Advice. Can I attach someone else's to my payment?
NO! - The Renewal Notice and Remittance Advice are personalised for you.
How can I pay for my APC?
Payment is accepted by cheque or credit card (Visa or Mastercard). The APC Renewal Form includes details for you to include your credit card details if you wish to pay by that.
Can I fax my payment details or ring and give you my credit card details over the phone?
NO! - Please return all the required forms by post.
Do I have to pay the full amount if I am applying for an APC late in the financial year?
No, There is a part charge of $240 payable from 1 December to 31 March.
What do I do if I have not received my Renewal Notice?
Have you changed your address since last year? Did you inform the Board? Please contact the Registrar first, to see if it has been returned to the office, so it can be re-sent.

Or if you are unable to retrieve your Renewal Notice from your previous address, please download another application form, fees payment form and APC Credit Summary or email the Registrar. Go to the Change of Address page.

You are legally obliged to inform the Board promptly of any change of residential, postal or work address.
What do I do if I have changed my name?
You are obliged by law to notify the Boards Registrar of your change of name within one month. If this is around APC renewal time, complete your new details on the reverse of the application form included with the APC Renewal Notice. Otherwise inform the Registrar at any time during the year. You must send a copy of the document changing your name (e.g. marriage certificate) as evidence of your name change. Please write your registration number on your copy.
What do I do when I return to the workforce?
You will need to purchase an Annual Practising Certificate. If you are not the holder of a current APC, you will need to apply to the Boards Registrar using the APC application form, which can be downloaded here or obtained from the Board. Please read the information in the Returning to Work section.
If I lose my APC can I get another one?
NO! - We only issue one copy. If you declare that your APC is lost, we will issue a letter verifying that you hold an APC.
What happens if I am late paying?
You may be practising illegally. The amount payable from 1 April is $600.
I didnt hold an APC in the last financial year. Do I still pay $600 to renew it?
No. You only pay $600 from 1 April, if you had been holding an APC and were sent a Renewal package, but were late in sending in your application.
What is the best way to contact the Registrar if I have a query related to my APC for 2008/2009?
Please Email the Registrar.
If I do not renew my APC, will I still receive the Board newsletters?
No, only those who pay for an APC receive the newsletters. However, these are put onto this website.

(You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read the PDF files; it's available to download for free. It may take a while to download.)