When you first join the College you join as an Associate or Affiliate Member. Full Membership and Fellowship are attained by examination and assessment. Associate membership therefore carries no implication of academic or professional achievement or status.
Fellowship of the College is attained by completing the two-stage General Practice Education Programme, passing Primex (Primary Membership Examination), and the Fellowship Assessment and producing a certificate of good standing from the Medical Council of NZ (MCNZ). Fellows of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, who gained this qualification by passing the RACGP assessment in Australia, may apply for FRNZCGP by reciprocity. Fellows of good standing have full voting rights and the privilege of the floor at general meetings, and my hold office. Fellows are entitled to use the designation FRNZCGP.
The College awards Membership after successful completion of Primex (Primary Membership Exam) at the end of General Practice Education Programme – Stage 1 (GPEP1) or an equivalent overseas programme. Members of good standing have full voting rights, may have the privilege of the floor at general meetings and may hold office unless the office is specifically required to be filled by a Fellow. Members are entitled to use the designation MRNZCGP, but it is a transitional status that lasts for 5 years.
Most Associates of the College are engaged in general practice and/or rural hospital medicine. However, doctors who are practising within a College-recognised special interest area of primary care also have entitlement to Associate membership. Associates may take part in College affairs, except that they may not vote at the Annual General Meeting of the College. They may hold office where such positions are specifically reserved for Associates.
Affiliate status may be granted to any individual who has special links with general practice and desires to become affiliated with the College. It may also be granted to organisations that have special links with general practice. Affiliates may not vote or hold office.
Visit Getting Started in NZ General Practice for more information regarding the Pathway to Fellowship.
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Ph. +64 4 4965999 rnzcgp@rnzcgp.org.nz
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