Recertification Programme: competence-based practising certificates

The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 requires the Midwifery Council, among other things, to:

• set standards of clinical competence, cultural competence and ethical conduct; and
• review and maintain the competence of midwives.

The Act stipulates that a midwife may not be issued with an annual practising certificate unless the Midwifery Council is satisfied that the midwife meets the required standard of competence. Engagement in the Recertification Programme is the way midwives demonstrate ongoing competence. The Programme requires midwives to undertake certain activities within a three year period. Midwives applying for a practising certificate are expected to have met the requirements within the three years prior to the date of application. Midwives who take leave from work of more than 6 months are invited to contact the Registrar to discuss an extension to the three year period.

Following the consultation of midwives and stakeholders in November 2007, the Recertification Programme has been revised.  The revised Programme applies from April 2008 to March 2011 and can be downloaded by clicking on the icon below.  The Programme explains the requirements (including the expectations around keeping portfolios andwhat is meant by 'working across the Scope') and includes a list of pre-approved professional  activities with allocated points.    

Recertification Programme revised May 2008 Adobe Acrobat Document: 416 KB, 61 seconds @ 56kbps

We are currently working on providing more easily accessible infomration about approved courses and self allocation of points for elective courses and professional activities. This will be available shortly on our education pages.   

The reports about the consultation with midwives and other stakeholders can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. 

Recertification consultation: midwives report Adobe Acrobat Document: 923 KB, 2.2 minutes @ 56kbps

Recertification consultation: stakeholders report Adobe Acrobat Document: 448 KB, 66 seconds @ 56kbps

 A Recertification planner can be downloaded by clickling on the icon below.

  

Recertification planner Adobe Acrobat Document: 81.3 KB, 12 seconds @ 56kbps

Information for education providers is also available in relation to the criteria and approval processes for compulsory and elective continuing education components of the Recertification Programme