I want to practise in New Zealand
Your pathway to registration depends on your qualifications, training and professional experience. Use our self-assessment tool to identify the registration pathway most appropriate to your qualifications and experience.
To practise in New Zealand, you must hold both registration and a current practising certificate. Applying for registration is the first step in the process.
Before you apply, check what is required for your application and registration pathways available to you
Check the requirements for registration.
Use the tool to find the registration pathway that best applies to you.
Registration pathways
The Dental Council offers different pathways to registration depending on your profession, qualifications, and your recent practice experience. The Council registers 6 professions across 21 scopes of practice: dentists and dental specialists, oral health therapists, dental therapists, dental hygienists including orthodontic auxiliaries, clinical dental technicians and dental technicians.
These pathways are designed to check that applicants meet the standards required to practise safely and competently in New Zealand. Explore the options below to identify the registration pathway most appropriate for your qualifications and experience.
TTMR registration is not available for dental technicians, orthodontic auxiliaries or anyone who holds temporary or limited registration.
We have two competent authority pathways to registration - one based on a prescribed qualification issued within the competent authority, and one based on recent practice experience in a competent authority.
The competent authority - registration pathway is open to applicants from 1 November 2026.
Open to applicants from 1 November 2026.
Open to applicants from 1 November 2026.