Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) in Aotearoa New Zealand
RANZCOG welcomes specialists and subspecialists from around the world to apply for recognition to practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. ApplyContact Us
Role of RANZCOG
As the vocational educational advisory body in obstetrics and gynaecology, RANZCOG will assess whether your training, qualifications and experience are likely to be equivalent to those of a specialist trained in Aotearoa New Zealand.
MCNZ seeks advice from RANZCOG on two groups of SIMGs:
Those who are currently overseas (i.e. not already residing or working in Aotearoa New Zealand) and wish to apply to be registered within the scope of O&G in Aotearoa New Zealand
Those who are already working in Aotearoa New Zealand via another registration pathway (e.g. general scope or provisional general scope) and wish to obtain vocational registration within the scope of practice of obstetrics and gynaecology
Apply
To apply for assessment with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ), with RANZCOG acting as the vocational educational advisory body, you must:
On receiving your application, MCNZ will:
- Verify your documentation
- Seek feedback from your referees
- Forward your application to RANZCOG for preliminary advice
As the vocational educational advisory body, RANZCOG* will complete an initial assessment of your application and provide MCNZ with preliminary advice, including one of the following recommendations:
Equivalent/as satisfactory as a locally trained specialist
- RANZCOG will invite you to attend an interview with the Aotearoa New Zealand SIMG assessment panel
- MCNZ may grant you provisional vocational registration to begin supervised practice prior to the interview (subject to prospective approval of your supervised training program by RANZCOG)
Unable to make a recommendation
- RANZCOG may request further clarification or information
- MCNZ may still determine that your application can proceed, in which case RANZCOG will invite you to attend an interview with the SIMG assessment panel
*Please note that if you’re already working in Aotearoa New Zealand and hold another form of registration (e.g. general scope or provisional general scope registration), you will proceed directly to an interview with RANZCOG.
At your interview, the SIMG assessment panel will further explore:
- Your overseas training, qualifications and experience in obstetrics and gynaecology
- Your response to some short scenarios assessing your clinical knowledge and skills, and your understanding of the New Zealand healthcare system and culture
Please see the Assessment Outcomes section below to learn more about the progress of your application after the interview.
Before you apply for assessment with MCNZ, please note:
- The SIMG assessment process unavoidably involves a good deal of paperwork, please allow plenty of time to prepare your application thoroughly
- A favourable SIMG assessment does not guarantee you employment in Aotearoa New Zealand
Cultural Competency training
RANZCOG encourages all SIMG applicants to Aotearoa New Zealand to complete MIHI401 during the application period. MIHI 401 is an introductory online cultural competency programme, outlining Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Te reo Māori, and Tikanga. It is designed specifically for Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs).
The College requires all Aotearoa New Zealand FRANZCOG trainees to complete MIHI501 Application of the Hui Process and Meihana Model, hich is a more comprehensive course offered by the Māori/Indigenous Health Institute (at the University of Otago) that builds on understanding gained from MIHI401.
If granted provisional vocational registration through the MCNZ VOC3 Pathway in O&G, you will be required to complete MIHI401 and MIHI501 during your supervision period.
For more information on SIMG assessments, please refer to the RANZCOG Regulations (Section D: Assessment of Specialist International Medical Graduates).
The following dates are allocated for SIMG assessment by the RANZCOG Aotearoa New Zealand SIMG interview panel in 2025:
- Friday 14 February
- Friday 14 March
- Friday 11 April
- Friday 9 May
- Friday 6 June
- Friday 11 July
- Friday 8 August
- Friday 12 September
- Friday 17 October
- Friday 21 November
- Friday 12 December
1. Primary source verification
Undertake primary source verification of your medical qualifications using the Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC).
2. Application form
Complete an Application for Vocational Registration (including a referee report), as outlined on the MCNZ website.
3. Additional information
Complete the RANZCOG Additional Information Form.
4. Submit application
Submit your application documents (including the RANZCOG Additional Information Form, and payment details for the application fee) to MCNZ for initial assessment.
Please note that if you’re applying from the UK, you should submit a Certificate of Completion of Training (or equivalent) as evidence of your specialist qualification. Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG), or the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP), is not considered to be a stand-alone specialist qualification.
Assessment outcomes
Based on your assessment interview, RANZCOG will recommend one of the three assessment outcomes outlined below.
The Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) will then make the final decision about eligibility for registration and advise you in writing of any additional requirements you must undertake to qualify for registration within the vocational scope of obstetrics and gynaecology.
If your qualification and experience are assessed as equivalent to a New Zealand trained specialist, MCNZ will grant you provisional vocational registration to begin a period of supervised specialist practice for up to 12 months.
If your qualification and experience are assessed to be as satisfactory as a New Zealand trained specialist, MCNZ will grant you provisional vocational registration to begin a period of supervised practice for a period of 12–18 months and may also specify assessments or other requirements for you to complete during the supervision period.
If your qualification and experience are assessed as neither equivalent to nor as satisfactory as a New Zealand trained specialist, you may wish to consider applying for the Fellowship of RANZCOG (FRANZCOG) specialist training program.
For more information on applying for the FRANZCOG training program, please visit International Medical Graduates.
Vocational registration
On receiving provisional vocational registration from MCNZ, you must enrol in the RANZCOG CPD program before MCNZ will grant full vocational registration.
You can choose to enrol as soon as you’re granted provisional registration from MCNZ, or closer to the time of application for full vocational registration.
Join the RANZCOG CPD program
- Review the RANZCOG CPD program fees
- Complete and submit CPD Participant Application Form
If you decide not to enrol in the RANZCOG CPD program until you’re ready to apply for full vocational registration, we welcome you to join RANZCOG as your professional membership organisation by applying to be an educational affiliate.
Become an educational affiliate member
- Learn more about Educational Affiliate Membership
- Review the annual membership fees
- Complete and submit Educational Affiliate Membership Application Form
Once you’ve completed all the requirements outlined to you by MCNZ, including enrolment in the RANZCOG CPD program, you will be able to apply to MCNZ for full vocational registration. This application will be considered by MCNZ.
Once you’ve been granted full vocational registration (after your supervision period and any other requirements are completed), you will be eligible to apply to become a Fellow of RANZCOG.
To apply to become a Fellow of RANZCOG, please complete and submit a Fellowship for SIMGs Application Form
Becoming an Assessor
The College relies upon the willingness of individual Fellows to give of their time in order to conduct many of its core activities. The assessment of SIMGs for comparability to a RANZCOG trained specialist is one such area.
To learn more about becoming an SIMG assessor, please read the following document or email the SIMG team in Aotearoa New Zealand nztraining@ranzcog.org.nz.
Frequently asked questions
Please browse the topics below for a selection of frequently asked questions relevant to specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs).
Q. What if I didn’t have a logbook during my training?
A. You can provide a summary of the type and numbers of procedures completed during your training and/or recent practice.
Q. Who should I use as referees?
A. Your three referees should be colleagues who you have worked with in the past two years. One referee must be a current supervisor or colleague where you are currently working. Referees must be currently working as a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Please note, members of the SIMG Assessment Committee or RANZCOG Board are not eligible to provide references, in accordance with our Conflict of Interest Policy.
Q. How do I obtain medical registration to work in Aotearoa New Zealand?
A. Registration of medical professionals in Aotearoa New Zealand is the responsibility of the Medical Council of New Zealand.
Q. How should I prepare for the interview?
A. To help you understand the scope of knowledge, skills and practice expected of a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology in Aotearoa New Zealand, you may wish to familiarise yourself with the Fellowship of RANZCOG Training Program Handbook
On inviting you attend an interview, the College will also provide you with access to the online learning modules that are available to local trainees.
Q. How long will the interview take?
A. Interviews normally take between 60 and 90 minutes.
Q. What is the format of the interview?
A. The interview panel usually consists of three Fellows and a community representative. The panel will further explore the information provided in your application, and ask you to respond to several short clinical scenarios designed to assess your interaction with patients, and your awareness of cultural and medico-legal issues in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Q. Who will notify the appropriate Government bodies of my interview assessment outcome?
A. The Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) will notify the College of interview assessment outcomes.
Q. What if I’m not satisfied with my assessment outcome?
A. Please contact the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).
Q. Does RANZCOG recommend a recruitment agency?
A. No, the College cannot endorse any particular recruitment agency.
However, you may find it helpful to visit the Kiwi Health Jobs website.
Q. Can RANZCOG help me to secure a visa Aotearoa New Zealand?
A. No, the College does not handle any matters relating to visas. All enquiries should be directed to New Zealand Immigration.