How Does Regulation Work in Cosmetic Medicine?

Cosmetic medicine is not a separate medical specialty in New Zealand, so it isn’t regulated by a single authority. Instead, it depends on the practitioner’s main qualification, such as being a doctor, nurse, or dentist. This means that the training and ongoing education requirements vary depending on the practitioner’s profession. Currently, doctors have the most extensive training requirements in this area.

For regulatory purposes, the Medical Council of New Zealand divides cosmetic procedures into either surgical (Category 1) or non-surgical (Category 2). Cosmetic medicine includes only non-surgical Category 2 procedures, such as:

• Botulinum toxin (for example, Botox®)
• Dermal fillers
• Laser therapies
• Skin rejuvenation procedures

Each type of health practitioner is regulated by their own responsible authority:

• Doctors – regulated by the Medical Council of New Zealand
• Nurses – regulated by the Nursing Council of New Zealand
• Dentists – regulated by the Dental Council of New Zealand

Other health professionals, such as physiotherapists, midwives, or podiatrists, do not have cosmetic procedures included in their scope of practice. 

The councils are statutory bodies established under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act), and their main role is to keep patients safe.

Each Council sets the rules for what its registered members are allowed to do this is called their scope of practice. It outlines:

• The types of healthcare services they’re legally allowed to provide
• Any extra training, supervision, or conditions they must follow

Practitioners must stick to this scope. If they perform treatments outside of it, they may be breaking the rules and could face an investigation or disciplinary action.

The New Zealand Society of Cosmetic Medicine (NZSCM) is a professional body for doctors, not a regulator. We do not register doctors or define their scope of practice. Our role is to:

• Provide training and continuing education in cosmetic medicine
• Set professional standards for our members
• Promote ethical, evidence-based practice
• Advocate and collaborate for better regulation and patient safety

Since 2006, the Medical Council of New Zealand has set clear rules for doctors performing cosmetic procedures.

To perform non-surgical Category 2 procedures, a doctor must:

• Be vocationally registered in plastic, maxillofacial or otolaryngology surgery or dermatology, and have training in non-surgical procedures,
• OR be a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (FRNZCGP) and a member of NZSCM,
• OR have training in non-surgical cosmetic procedures and work under an approved collegial relationship with a doctor from one of the above two categories

A collegial relationship means a qualified colleague checks the doctor participates in ongoing education in cosmetic medicine. This allows them to work outside their scope of practice. Only relevant surgeons, dermatologists and NZSCM doctors can provide collegial relationships for cosmetic medicine.

Doctors are expected to only perform procedures they are trained to do.

Currently, there is no standardised training pathway for non-doctor practitioners in cosmetic medicine. Only doctors have access to the recognised, non-profit training programme with formal assessment offered by the New Zealand Society of Cosmetic Medicine (NZSCM). The two-year Postgraduate Diploma of Cosmetic Medicine includes a structured curriculum, written and clinical examinations, and ongoing professional development.

In contrast, other practitioners, such as nurses or dentists typically complete training through commercial providers or pharmaceutical companies. These courses are often short (sometimes just a weekend) and may lack depth in critical areas such as recognising, managing, and preventing adverse events.

The NZSCM training programme is regularly reviewed and endorsed by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) and the Medical Council of New Zealand as part of doctors’ recertification requirements. This ensures that doctors who complete the programme meet rigorous, evidence-based standards for safe and ethical practice in cosmetic medicine.

Yes. The NZSCM Diploma in Cosmetic Medicine is the only professionally recognised qualification for vocationally registered doctors. While not NZQA-accredited, it is recognised by the regulatory authority for doctors, the Medical Council of New Zealand.

Doctors who complete the NZSCM Diploma in Cosmetic Medicine and are FRNZCGP members can practice cosmetic medicine without needing a collegial relationship. NZSCM is also a CPD provider approved by RNZCGP.

The NZSCM Diploma Programme is currently designed exclusively for vocationally registered doctors, such as those who have completed training in general practice or surgical specialties. It is not open to general registrant doctors, dentists, or nurses, in line with requirements set by the Medical Council of New Zealand.

However, all registered doctors, nurses, and dentists are warmly invited to attend NZSCM’s two major educational events:

• The NZSCM Annual Conference
• The Anatomy and Emergency Weekend

These are New Zealand’s only doctor-led cosmetic medicine education events, offering a valuable opportunity for learning, networking, and professional development. NZSCM also recognises the excellent work of our sister societies in Australia, including the Australasian Society or Cosmetic and Procedural Dermatology (ASCPD) and Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), which run high-quality annual conferences open to international attendees.

You can check any registered health practitioner's status using the public registers:

• Medical Council register (doctors)
• Nursing Council register (nurses)
• Dental Council register (dentists)

These registers show:

Whether a person is currently registered

What their authorised scope of practice is 

Whether they are subject to any conditions, suspensions, or disciplinary findings

As there is no mandatory training common to all practitioners, NZSCM encourages members of the public to choose a practitioner who demonstrates a clear commitment to education, safety, and ongoing professional development. Patients should feel confident asking about a provider’s training and experience with the specific treatments they offer.

This information is intended as a general guide for health practitioners working in cosmetic medicine. It does not cover every legal or professional obligation, nor does it replace the standards set by your responsible authority.

Practitioners are individually accountable for ensuring they practise within their authorised scope, maintain competence, and meet all regulatory and professional requirements. The New Zealand Society of Cosmetic Medicine (NZSCM) is not a regulator and accepts no responsibility for individual compliance or interpretation of requirements.

For advice on your specific obligations, please contact your responsible authority directly.