Recertification Programme requirements

As stated above, participation in the Recertification Programme is mandatory for all physiotherapists who are registered and hold an Annual Practising Certificate (APC) regardless of their practice setting or the number of hours they work.

If a physiotherapist’s entry is retained in the non-practising register, they are not required to participate in the Recertification Programme and will not be selected for Recertification Audit during this time.  However, if they are considering returning to practice then it is recommended that they maintain some level of CPD activity during their non-practising period. However, any such activities cannot be used to meet CPD requirements if a non-practising physiotherapist subsequently returns to practice.

If a physiotherapist returns to practice after three or more years away from the profession, then their relevant CPD activities (undertaken while they were away from practice) will be assessed as part of the APC application process.

Every year physiotherapists holding an APC are required to complete the following as part of the Recertification Programme:

1. Annual Professional Development Plan (PDP), signed off by a professional peer; and
2. A peer review (in a clinical setting this must be undertaken by a physiotherapist registered in Aotearoa New Zealand who holds a current APC); and
3. Three reflective statements annually; one specific to Māori culture and how this relates to their practice, and two reflective statements from two of the following categories, again relevant to their area of practice: cultural, ethical and professional.
4. Physiotherapists must also take part in 100 hours of CPD every three years. This is a rolling average. It is not a requirement for physiotherapists to submit their logbook if audited, however, evidence of completion of the activities may be asked for at a later date, so we recommend a log and appropriate evidence are kept. The log can be in any typed format.

It is important that all physiotherapists read the full guidance on the requirements and required formats of the Recertification Programme, which can be found in the Resource Section below.

Recertification Audit

Each year, usually in July, approximately 5% of physiotherapists holding APCs are selected for a Recertification Audit. They will receive an email from the Board informing them of their selection.

Other physiotherapists who may also be included in the Audit are:

1. Practitioners deferred from a previous Audit; and/or
2. Practitioners previously selected in an Audit but failed to contact the Board, and now wish to practice in Aotearoa New Zealand; and/or
3. Practitioners recently returned to the profession after an absence of more than three years; and/or
4. Practitioners directed by the Board to participate in the Audit following the completion of a ‘Competence Review’ or following a disciplinary hearing.

In addition, the Board is entitled to include any practitioner in a Recertification Audit even if they fall outside these criteria.

As part of the Audit, all physiotherapists who are selected are required to submit a Recertification Audit Submission made up of evidence of their CPD and recertification activities for the previous three practising years.

For example, if you are chosen for Recertification Audit in July 2022 the evidence you will be required to submit will relate to the activities undertaken in the period from 1 April 2019 – 31 March 2022.

What do I have to submit?

If you are selected for the Audit, you will be required to provide the following:

• Information about your work history
• A Professional Development Plan completed in the previous practicing year.
• Evidence a peer review has been completed in the previous practising year.
• Three reflective statements annually; one specific to Māori culture and how this relates to their practice, and two reflective statements from two of the following categories, again relevant to their area of practice: cultural, ethical and professional. (completed in the previous three practising years)

Physiotherapists selected for Recertification Audit will also need to confirm that they have completed 100 hours of CPD in the last three practising years (required CPD hours will be pro-rated if they have not held an APC for the entire three-year period).

How do I submit my Recertification Audit Submission?

If you are selected for Audit once you have collated your Recertification Audit Submission you will need to visit  MyPBNZ to upload your documents

Again, you should ensure you have read the full guidance on the requirements and required formats which can be found in the Resource Section below

Failure To Complete the Recertification Programme

Failure may occur on one or several levels:

• Failure to meet the requirements of the Recertification Programme Audit. For example, the practitioner is unable to provide evidence to support the minimum number of formally recorded CPD hours.
• Failure to meet the competence requirements of the Recertification Programme Audit. For example, the practitioner has not recorded sufficient participation in CPD activities relevant to their role as a physiotherapist
• Failure to supply a PDR.

If you fail to meet the Audit requirements you will be referred to the Board for consideration and decisions or action, if necessary. The Board has statutory powers under section 43 in relation to practitioners if their results are unsatisfactory.

The Board staff will initially work with you, assisting you to attempt to meet the Board’s Recertification Programme requirements. If you do not meet the requirements, then it will be referred to the Board who may determine that a competence review is required.

Relevant Legislation

HPCAA (2003) S43 Unsatisfactory results of competence programme or recertification programme

Resources

Recertification Programme Guidelines

Useful Resources

Templates

1. Work History
2. Professional Development Plan
3. Peer Review Confirmation Form
4. Reflective Statement Template