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Social Workers Registration Act 2003

Competence and fitness - Conditions affecting ability to practise as a social worker

55: Power to order medical examination

You could also call this:

"The Board can make social workers see a doctor to check they can do their job properly."

Illustration for Social Workers Registration Act 2003

The Board can ask you to see a doctor if they think you might not be able to do your job as a social worker. This can happen if someone makes a report under section 51 or for another reason. The Board will choose the doctor and tell you to go see them. You will get a written notice with the doctor's name and address, and the date of the exam. The exam must be at least 5 working days after you get the notice. The Board will pay for the exam. Before choosing a doctor, the Board will usually ask you who you want to see, unless it's not possible or you don't want to be asked. The notice must be signed by the chairperson of the Board or the Registrar.

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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=DLM190232.

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"What happens if a social worker needs a medical check to keep working"

Part 3Competence and fitness
Conditions affecting ability to practise as a social worker

55Power to order medical examination

  1. If (whether or not as a result of a report under section 51) the Board considers that a social worker may be unable to satisfactorily perform the functions required to practise as a social worker, it may give the social worker written notice requiring them to attend for medical examination by a medical practitioner chosen by the Board.

  2. The Board must first consult the social worker as to who should undertake the examination, unless—

  3. it is impracticable to do so; or
    1. the social worker refuses to be consulted.

      1. The notice must—

      2. state—
        1. the name and address of the medical practitioner; and
          1. the date by which the examination is to be conducted (being a date at least 5 working days after the date on which the notice is given to the social worker); and
          2. be signed by the chairperson of the Board or the Registrar.

            1. The Board must pay for the examination.

            Notes
            • Section 55(1): amended, on , by section 9 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).
            • Section 55(1): amended, on , by section 23 of the Social Workers Registration Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 17).
            • Section 55(1): amended, on , by section 78(1) of the Social Workers Registration Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 3).
            • Section 55(1): amended, on , by section 78(2) of the Social Workers Registration Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 3).
            • Section 55(1): amended, on , by section 144(1) of the Social Workers Registration Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 3).