The Medical Radiation Technologists Board 

The Medical Radiation Technologists Board (MRTB) is the regulatory authority operating under the New Zealand Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, to ensure safety for both Medical Radiation Technologists and their patients.

You can not practice as a Radiographer (Medical Radiation Technologist - MRT) or a Sonographer, without MRTB Registration.

Registration typically takes 6 -8 weeks.   The current charge, as of July 09, is NZ$425 for an overseas applicant. This is non-refundable.You can download an Application form below:
MRTB Application Form

The application will allow you to register in one or more of the following Scopes Of Practice:

• Diagnostic Imaging - General
• Radiation Therapy
• Diagnostic Imaging - Nuclear Medicine
• Diagnostic Imaging - Ultrasound
• Diagnostic Imaging - Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The MRTB publish an information booklet to assist you in your application. You can download it here:
MRTB Information Booklet

When making an application, the following documents (translated into English if necessary) will be required by the MRTB:

• A certified copy of qualification
• Two character references, one of which must be from a registered MRT
• Evidence of registration and current licence or practising status from country of current registration.
• Letter of Good Standing from current or last registration board or equivalent professional association.
• Evidence of functional proficiency in both written and spoken English
• Evidence of name change (marriage certificate, dissolution of marriage, deed poll) if  applicable 
• Completed and signed application forms
• The prescribed application for registration fee.

If your qualification is not among those recognised by the Board, you will also be required to send your course syllabus for assessment by the Board's independent assessor. Please refer to the Registration Procedures and General Information Booklet ('Booklet") detailed on the MRTB website.  

We strongly recommend that you email the MRTB on mrt@medsci.co.nz to see if your qualification is recognized, prior to making a formal application. This could save you considerable hassle and expense.

The MRTB will assess each application individually. This assessment will result in either successful registration, a rejection or approved as a Trainee, subject to a Competency Based Assessment ( CBA ).

If the Board requires you to undertake a CBA , you will be advised to obtain a clinical placement as a trainee in a training hospital or approved private practice. A CBA is a three to five hour practical and oral examination conducted in the clinical department after a period of up to three months familiarisation.

As a trainee, you would be required to comply with section 7 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act: You must not claim to be registered or do anything to imply that you are registered with the Board.  Since your supervisor would be responsible for your actions as a trainee, you would not need to hold a practising certificate (APC or interim practising certificate) until you pass the assessment and are granted registration by the Board.

The Competency Based Examination for both MRT's and Sonographers currently costs $2000 NZ,  but this cost is usually fully met by the employing Hospital / Private Practice . The MRTB send in examiners to evaluate the practitioner.

To contact the MRTB ,

Telephone: +64 4 801 6250          Fax: +64 4 381 0270           Email: mrt@medsci.co.nz       

Additional Web Resources :

New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology      http://www.nzimrt.co.nz/

The professional body for Medical Radiation Technologists in New Zealand is the New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology. The journal of the Institute, 'Shadows' is published quarterly and a conference is held annually. Membership of the Institute is voluntary.

Australasian Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM)         http://www.asum.com.au/

The Australasian Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM) is the body established to manage and oversee the Diploma in Medical Ultrasonography.

Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine        http://www.anzsnm.org.au/

Non-profit association of physicians, physicists, chemists, radiopharmacists, technologists, nurses and others interested in the practice of Nuclear Medicine in Australia and New Zealand