Successful completion of a qualification from one of the institutions is required for registration. The board also considers applications from overseas therapists. At 30 June 1999 there were 2,172 registered occupational therapists, with 1,271 holding annual practising certificates. The Dietitians Board is constituted under the Dietitians Act 1950. The postgraduate training course for dietitians is the responsibility of the University of Otago.
Students are usually already qualified in either 'home', 'consumer' or 'applied' science.
At 30 June 1999 there were 967 registered dietitians with 334 holding annual practising certificates. The Opticians Board, constituted under the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Act 1976, is concerned with the registration and conduct of optometrists and dispensing opticians. At 30 June 1999 there were 817 registered optometrists with 457 holding annual practising certificates and 138 registered dispensing opticians with 87 holding annual practising certificates. Podiatrists The Medical Auxiliaries Act 1966 provides for the constitution of a Podiatrists Board. The board sets standards of education and conduct with regard to the profession and conducts special examinations.