Accredited graduates
If you hold one of the following qualifications you can apply for registration as a Medical Laboratory Pre-Analytical technician:
- Qualified Medical Laboratory Technician Certificate (QMLT) by NZIMLS in one of these disciplines: Donor technician; Phlebotomy; Specimen Services
- New Zealand Diploma in Applied Science (Level 5) from Ara Institute of Canterbury.
Provisional registration timeframe
Providing your application is received with all the required documentation and the full registration fee payment it will take ten working days to process. Confirmation of registration will be within 15 working days from the day your completed application was received by the Council unless otherwise advised.
Provisional registration and supervision period
You will initially be granted provisional registration and are required to practice under the supervision of a registered medical laboratory scientist. The Council must approve your supervisor and workplace. Provisional registration is for a minimum of three months and up to a maximum of 24 months.
If your period of provisional registration is for more than six months, your supervisor will be required to provide the Council with interim progress reports. You and your supervisor will be notified of the timing of these reports when your first annual practising certificate is issued.
Applying for APC
Once you are registered, you must apply to the Council for an annual practising certificate (APC).
Applying for provisional registration:
A certified copy of your qualification. A photocopy may be certified as a true copy by a solicitor, Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, or an Officer of the Court.
Two Certificates of Standing and Experience (personal and professional) completed by persons unrelated to you.
- A certified copy of your passport identity page, signed with your signature and certified to be a true likeness of yourself (stating your name) by a solicitor, Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, or an Officer of the Court.
- Evidence of name change if applicable.
- A criminal conviction notice that is no more than six months old issued by the Ministry of Justice. Please note, criminal check certificates issued by a third party will not be accepted.
- A criminal conviction notice that is no more than six months old from each country you have lived and worked in for more than 12 months.
- Please ensure all current and previous names are included in the check.
Please note: Only the following criminal history checks will be accepted by the Council:
- United Kingdom ACRO
- Australia AFP
- South Africa South African Police Service Clearance Certificate
- Canada RCMP – Please ensure this is a fingerprint check
- United States of America FBI
- Philippines NBI clearance
For countries not on this list, please check with the Council. The Immigration New Zealand website may provide some guidance.
Please note, criminal check certificates issued by a third party will not be accepted.
If applicable: Certificate of Good Standing from each licensing/registration authority you are or have been registered with in NZ or any other country. The Certificate of Good Standing should state that there are no outstanding complaints against you in regard to your conduct as a health professional. The certificate must not be more than 6 months old at the date of your application.
You must pay the required fee for your application to be processed.
Obtaining full registration
At the end of your period of provisional registration, you will need to provide the following:
Provide a certified copy of QMLT qualification certificate provided by the NZIMLS. A photocopy may be certified as a true copy by a solicitor, Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, or an Officer of the Court.
Provide a completed Final Supervisor Report from your supervisor.
Please provide a copy of your training records.
If the Council is satisfied with the supervisor’s report, full registration will be granted.
Working here
You cannot legally work here in the Medical Laboratory Scientist scope of practice unless you’re a registered practitioner (within the scope), and hold an annual practising certificate (within the scope).