Kia ora. Please note that we’re closing on 20 Dec 2024/opening 6 Jan 2025 – all APC applications must be completed, paid, and submitted no later than Monday 16 December 2024. Thank you!

CPD Programmes Medical Laboratory Technician & Medical Laboratory Pre Analytical Technician

Recertification programme for Medical Laboratory Technicians and Medical Laboratory Pre-Analytical Technicians

The Council has accredited the following CPD Programme Providers for Medical Laboratory Technicians and Pre-Analytical Technicians

  • New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Science (NZIMLS)
  • Awanui Group

NZIMLS and Awanui have met the Council’s accreditation standards as set out in the “Standards for Accredited CPD Programme Providers” policy document. 

When other providers are granted accreditation, they will be added to the list.

CPD requirements

The new CPD requirements for Medical Laboratory Technicians and Medical Laboratory Pre-Analytical Technicians apply from 1 January 2021.

  • 24-hours of CPD within each consecutive two-year cycle (biennium).
  • At least nine hours of CPD each-year of the relevant biennium.
  • 14 hours of CPD must relate to activities classified as substantive CPD each biennium.

CPD and compliance audit

While there was no audit in 2023, practitioners were still required to engage in CPD. The next audit will be completed in 2024 and will cover the January 2022 to December 2023 biennium. In 2024, the Council will audit up to 40% of medical laboratory science practitioners.

The audit provides assurance to the public and the Minister of Health that medical laboratory science practitioners are engaging in appropriate CPD, that supports their ongoing competence to practise.

Exemptions

Exemption requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

All requests to be exempted from an audit must be made within 10 working days of you being notified that you have been selected for audit. You can email these requests to mscaudit@medsci.co.nz

If you have any queries about the CPD Audit or what to do, view the FAQs under CPD Professional Development (CPD).

Auditing

If you are called for audit in 2023 you will be required to provide the following documentation:

Declaration

Part A of the form is for you to complete, and Part B is for you and your employer to complete.  If you hold an APC in more than one scope of practice, you need to submit a declaration for each scope of practice.

Employment history

A brief description of key responsibilities in your current and previous roles. This information helps us align your logged CPD activities with your professional role and track recent practice hours. Your employment history should cover the audit period: January  2022 - December 2023.

Logbook

A logbook listing the CPD activities you have completed between January 2022 and December 2023. The list should include the following information for each activity: 

  • Date and time of CPD activity.
  • Location of activity (if applicable).
  • Type of CPD activity - substantive or general CPD activity.
  • Brief description of the activity.
  • CPD hours for the activity.
  • Source, reference, provider details, or name of facilitator/speaker.
  • A total of substantive and general activities completed each year.
Reflective statements

Provide four reflective statements:

  • One must be related to your scope of practice (substantive activities).
  • One must be related to ethical practice.
  • One must be related to culturally appropriate practice. 
  • And one of your own choices (in addition to the three above).
Evidence

Provide evidence (attendance certificates, attendance sheets or references to articles you wrote or read) for three of the CPD activities you have completed between January 2022 and December 2023. 

You must provide all requested documentation before the due date, otherwise, you can delay your audit results.

If you have been selected to take part in the 2024 audit you can download the 'CPD recertification and logbook' resource below. Enter your details (it includes a drop-down box for you to select the appropriate scope of practice), then save it for sending to us.