Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Social Workers Registration Act 2003

Registration, authorisation to practise within scope of practice, and practising certificates - Practising certificates

27: Effect of making compliant application

You could also call this:

"What happens when you apply for a practising certificate and follow the rules"

Illustration for Social Workers Registration Act 2003

If you apply for a practising certificate and your application meets the rules in section 26, you will be treated as having a practising certificate. This starts when the Registrar gets your application and ends when the Registrar gives you a practising certificate or tells you they will not give you one. You are treated as having a practising certificate until the Registrar decides what to do with your application. If the Registrar has already told you they will not give you a practising certificate, or if you are a social worker whose registration is suspended, you do not have a practising certificate until the Registrar gives you one.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM189996.

Topics:
Work and jobs > Job licensesHealth and wellbeing > Mental healthGovernment and voting > Government departments
Previous

26: Applications for practising certificates, or

"How social workers can apply for a practising certificate"

Next

28: Issue of practising certificates, or

"Getting a certificate to work as a social worker"

Part 2Registration, authorisation to practise within scope of practice, and practising certificates
Practising certificates

27Effect of making compliant application

  1. If an application for a practising certificate complies with section 26 and subsection (3) does not apply to the applicant, the applicant must be treated as holding a practising certificate between the time the Registrar receives the application and the earlier of—

  2. the time the Registrar issues a practising certificate to the applicant; and
    1. the time the Registrar notifies the applicant in writing that the Registrar refuses to issue a practising certificate.

      1. If an application for a practising certificate complies with section 26 but subsection (3) applies to the applicant, the applicant does not hold a practising certificate until the Registrar issues one to the applicant.

      2. This subsection applies to an applicant for a practising certificate if—

      3. the applicant is a social worker whose registration is suspended; or
          1. the Registrar—
            1. has previously notified the applicant that the Registrar refuses to issue a practising certificate to the applicant; and
              1. has not later issued a practising certificate to the applicant.

              Notes
              • Section 27(1)(b): amended, on , by section 23 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).
              • Section 27(2): amended, on , by section 23 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).
              • Section 27(3)(a): amended, on , by section 23 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).
              • Section 27(3)(a): amended, on , by section 144(1) of the Social Workers Registration Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 3).
              • Section 27(3)(b): repealed, on , by section 38 of the Social Workers Registration Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 3).
              • Section 27(3)(c)(i): amended, on , by section 23 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).