Practitioners | Travelling Overseas

Please also refer to the previous page in this section, Returning to work.

When saying "good bye" to your job, friends and New Zealand remember to contact the Dietitians Board to ensure that your registration details are updated on the Dietitians Board's Register. (Members of the NZDA remember to also contact the Association.)

Before you leave please tell the Board: the date when you will cease practice in New Zealand, contact details, the estimated time you will be overseas and whether you intend to practise dietetics whilst you are away.

If you are not practising dietetics in New Zealand you do not need to pay for an APC, but you do need to advise the Board of your intentions. Your name will then remain on the Dietitians Board's Register, and your record will show that you are currently 'inactive'.

You may not therefore be sent an APC Renewal Notice in January/February. Contact the Board when you are ready to practise in New Zealand again to arrange a new Annual Practising Certificate.

The Board strongly advises you to participate in opportunities to maintain your continuing competency whilst you are away. This includes saving your evidence (of 3 or more credits), for when you are audited. It also suggests that you keep an eye on the website from time to time: www.dietitiansboard.org.nz

When you return from overseas, you are recommended to bring back any evidence of continuing competence programmes you have been involved in. You are also advised to bring back proof of practising overseas (e.g. a certificate of registration from the Health Professions Council or appropriate Performance Appraisals) and return to practise dietetics in New Zealand within three years. Please also see the Return to Work section on the next page.

If you do not advise the Board of your status or contact details you could be removed from the Register. There is a charge of $50.00 to be restored to the Register.

Frequently Asked Questions - Travelling Overseas

If I go overseas for some time, how will the Board know what Continuing Competence activities I took part in over the last year?
It is your responsibility to notify the Dietitians Board of your intention to travel and arrange for submission of your CCP Audit Templates if you are required to be audited. Please do not lose these.
Should I send in a summary of my points earned, whilst overseas, and when?
This depends on the length of time that you will be away. If you are applying for an APC during the year you will be away, they still need to be sent in.
Will I still be required to send in information and evidence, if my name comes up for auditing whilst overseas?
It is your responsibility to notify the Board of your intention to travel. If you know that you are to be audited submit your credit summary forms to the Dietitians Board before you leave or ask for a deferment of your audit.

Applying for Registration Overseas?

Many countries will require you to provide evidence of your registration status and good standing with your recent, or current registration authority, when you apply for registration overseas.

The New Zealand Dietitians Board will provide a 'Certificate of Good Standing' for a fee of $52.

The Certificate of Good Standing is created from information held on the Register of Dietitians and states your registration and practising status, and whether there are any disciplinary actions pending or proceeding.

For information on registration internationally:

USA Registration
Commission on Dietetic Registration
UK Registration
The Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine

You are likely to also require information on your dietetic training programme. This can be obtained from the University of Otago .