131ANomination of an alternative name

131A Nomination of an alternative name

131A Nomination of an alternative name

(1) A registered health practitioner registered in a health profession, or an applicant for registration in a health profession, may, by written notice given to the National Board for the health profession, nominate an alternative name.

(2) If the alternative name nominated by a registered health practitioner is a prohibited name, the National Board may decide to—

(a) refuse to record the name in a National Register or Specialists Register; and

(b) refuse to include the name on the registered health practitioner’s certificate of registration.

(3) If the National Board makes a decision under subsection (2), it must give written notice of the decision, including the reasons for the decision, to the registered health practitioner.

(4) In this section—

prohibited name means a name that—

(a) is obscene or offensive; or

(b) could not practicably be established by repute or usage—

(i) because it is too long; or

(ii) because it consists of or includes symbols without phonetic significance; or

(iii) because it is or includes a statement or phrase; or

(iv) for another reason; or

(c) includes or resembles—

(i) an official title or rank; or

(ii) a protected title specified in the Table to section 113; or

(iii) a specialist title; or

(iv) the title ‘dental specialist’; or

(v) the title ‘medical specialist’; or

(d) is contrary to the public interest for another reason.

s 131A: Ins 2022 No 22, sec 114.