When a physiologist or technician signs the APC declaration, they agree to the following statements:

If a practitioner replies No to any of the above, they should present accompanying written information or explanation for the board to consider.

For those still undergoing professional development i.e. currently enrolled in a post graduate qualification or certification program, the following 2 statements apply - others should select N/A

The second element of the APC declaration is the Supervisor declaration: 

Signing an APC is a big responsibility. Supervisors should read the statements carefully and answer honestly. If a supervisor needs to answer NO to any of the above statements, they should provide written information and explanation, including the plan they have made with the practitioner to remedy any problem. The board will consider this when reviewing the application.

Who can sign this section?

The person who signs the declaration must be qualified and capable of attesting to the practitioner's competence. They will be required to note their full name and registration number with the board under which they are registered.

A Clinical Supervisor should in the first instance be one of the following from your profession:

• Clinical team leader, charge physiologist or department head
• Clinician responsible for your service
• Clinical Manager or Educator
• Director of Allied health
• Person undertaking your annual performance review

The following list are those ineligible to sign the declaration:

• Workplace peer, Section head
• Senior Physiologist not in a charge role
• Non-clinically trained manager

Industry representatives

• The physiologist's line manager, or the Clinician they undertake most of their practice with should sign.

More than one scope, or more than one employer?

• One supervisor can sign for both scopes of practice, or there is space for an additional signatory for different scopes, and an additional workplace.

Not currently employed – e.g. between roles, on extended leave?

• Include an additional statement of the circumstance and why an APC is required. An APC with conditions may be issued.

Who should complete this section

Clinical Exercise Physiologists may practice in isolation as sole practitioners, for example if they own their own practice. Their practice is not overseen by a senior colleague and they do not report to clinicians or senior managers. CEPNZ have authorized a sole practitioner supervisor sign-off process for their members.

No other groups have created a process for sole practitioners, so should not sign this part of the declaration.

When does the process occur?

The clinical exercise physiologist should take steps to initiate this process as soon as they get their first reminder to renew their APC, so that it is completed before the APC expiry date of 1st September.

What is the sole practitioner process?

The sole practitioner clinical exercise physiologist is required to contact CEPNZ and arrange an interview with a CEPNZ nominated representative, to present a case study to demonstrate ongoing competence. The representative will then sign the supervisor declaration section of the renewal form.

The physiologist should sign both the standard declaration, and the sole practitioner declaration. When the supervisor declaration has been signed, then the completed APC form can be submitted as usual.

Evidence of CPD is not required to be presented to CPRB with every APC declaration.

CPRB assesses CPD via the portfolio auditing process. CPD evidence should be kept in the practitioners portfolio.

The practitioner may be required to demonstrate evidence of CPD to the supervisor signing their APC, as one of the statements the supervisor must attest to is: "I confirm that the above named has completed Continuing Professional Development activities which meets the objectives set out in the Portfolio requirements for CPRB".

Please read the Portfolio section of this website for more information about portfolio and CPD requirements.

Whether or not a new graduate physiologist who is not yet fully qualified or certified is required to hold an APC, is dependent on the internal policy of the organisation employing them. 

CPRB recommends all newly employed physiologists or technicians hold an APC as an important mechanism to ensure they are undergoing the recommended NZ professional development program, under appropriate supervision, in a suitable training institution.

The APC statement: "I confirm I have adhered to the conditions on my current Scope of Practice" is usually answered YES in this situation.

The APC statement: "I have completed further training as directed" is usually answered NO in this situation.

The APC will show if any conditions have been applied to the physiologist or technicians practice. This same information is also visible on the public register to the public and employers. One of the following conditions will be noted on the APC:

• No conditions related to practice
• Supervised – under supervised professional development
• Supervised – required to complete a competency assessment (time limit may be specified)
• Practice extended/limited to (a specific extension/limitation to practice)
• Other/Interim (specify) – This condition of practice may be used under Section 31 of the HPCA Act 2003 

No Conditions to practice

• Holds the appropriate professional certification from the professional society/societies or a recognized professional certification from an oversees professional body as approved by the CPRB, and
• Has completed the minimum requirements for professional development as recognized by the CPRB.

Supervised practice

• Is employed in an appropriate physiology service, and is following a course of professional development and working towards professional certification as laid down by the professional body, or is enrolled on a competency assessment plan.

Other/Interim

• Required to practice within a highly defined set of conditions as decided from time-to-time by the CPRB or as mandated under the HPCA Act 2003 pursuant to Sections 31 (and 29) of the Act

Removing a condition from the APC

When a physiologist or technician has completed the course of professional development, including any required academic qualifications, vocational certification or competency examination, and practicing hours/years requirements, they are then eligible to apply to have the condition of Supervised practice lifted from their APC.

They can apply as soon as all requirements are met, or at the next APC renewal date.

The general requirements to lift a condition are:

• provide evidence of passing the qualification or examination e.g. certified copy of the certificate, letter or academic summary.
• present a letter of support from their clinical supervisor stating they have met all requirements and are competent to practice without further supervision. This letter can be in traditional letter format, or an email from the supervisors email account directly to the CPRB Registrar.
• provide an updated CV describing their current role and responsibilities.
• if combined with annual APC renewal, evidence of current professional society membership, signed APC declaration form and payment of APC renewal fee.

The following types of conditions may be noted on the APC of certain practitioners:

Extended Practice 

• Has successfully completed a recognized course of professional development, and any professional certification as laid down by the professional body, that adds to the body of knowledge and skill of the person allowing them to practice in an extended field within or outside of their professional area
• e.g. A cardiac physiology technician, who completes the ANZSRS spirometry training program, may be registered under the cardiac scope with practice extended to spirometry. They are not qualified for the full respiratory scope of practice, but now may perform the single defined respiratory test of spirometry. Renewal of this condition may depend on ongoing refresher courses in that scope to maintain competency.
• In general these conditions are permanent, unless the practitioner fails to complete required refresher programs for the extended scope, or advises they are no longer performing the extended practice.

Limited Practice

• Has successfully completed a recognized course of professional development, and any professional certification as laid down by the professional body, in a single defined area of clinical physiology.
• e.g. a cardiac physiologist who only completed the qualifications and training for cardiac sonography, may be registered under the cardiac scope with their practice limited to echocardiography only, if they have not completed the required training for the full cardiac physiologist scope.
• In general these conditions are permanent, unless the practitioner completes full training in a scope and applies for the limitation to be lifted. 

For information about renewing your APC after an extended break, please see Return to Practice

If a practitioner fails to respond to a request to have their portfolio audited, then the board is unable to ascertain that that practitioner is maintaining professional standards by undertaking continuing professional development (CPD).

Should no CPD be supplied for audit by the requested date, the Portfolio Officer, after issuing a number of warnings, will inform the CPRB Registrar. The Registrar will withdraw the practitioners APC, and inform the Clinical supervisor who signed their most recent APC declaration.

A practitioner may, upon receiving an Audit notification, apply for one extension or deferment in extenuating circumstances. If this application is successful, the APC will not be affected.

A practitioner who supplies inadequate CPD for audit, will be re-audited in a period of time set by the Portfolio Officer. Their APC will not be affected, providing the re-audit is satisfactory.