ITCP In Detail
Character Suitability
In addition to the Entry Requirements, applicants must be of “Good and Sound Character”.
The assessment of character is at the sole discretion of NZCS, however the assessor must be satisfied that there is nothing to indicate that the applicant is not of sound character and likely to bring themselves, their employer, the ICT profession or the Society into disrepute.
The following three components are used to ascertain suitability, however NZCS reserves the right to use any additional means or measures as it sees fit.
Interview of Referees and Others
An assessor will conduct a short and confidential telephone interview with the two referees provided by the Applicant. The referees must also complete a brief written assessment of the applicant, confirming they are operating at Level 5 or above of the SFIA Framework.
The referee will be asked a number of questions related to how well they know the applicant and whether in their professional opinion the applicant is of a sound character, suitable for the awarding of NZCS Professional Certification.
The NZCS assessment team may also contact others who may know or have known the applicant.
Publication of Application to ICT community
The applicant’s name, company and intention to seek ITCP will be published to NZCS community, with a request that any member knowing of any reason the applicant should not advance to provide this in writing using the appropriate form.
In keeping with the principles of natural justice, if the NZCS Assessment Team deem the challenge to be significant and relevant the applicant will be advised of the challenge and have the opportunity to respond.
If an allegation of serious misconduct is defended by the Applicant, the Assessment Team may refer the matter to the Professional Conduct Board to investigate and make a confidential determination as to whether, in their view, serious misconduct has occurred.
Serious Criminal Convictions
The applicant must agree to disclose (or allow to be disclosed) prior serious criminal convictions for the purpose of attaining whether the applicant meets the “sound character” requirements, as well as disclose whether they are currently under investigation by the New Zealand Police, or have charges pending on any matter related to dishonesty or fraud.
It should be noted that criminal conviction(s) will NOT automatically exclude the applicant from successfully obtaining ITCP Certification, however the conviction(s) will be considered if they amount to Professional Misconduct or raise serious concerns as to the honesty or respectability of the applicant.
Copies of criminal records will be destroyed 30 days following the application decision.
An applicant may be declined for Certification if convictions are of sufficient gravity to be termed "reprehensible" (or "inexcusable", "disgraceful", "deplorable" or "dishonourable")*.
This includes:
- Repeated offences related to dishonesty, professional misconduct or fraud;
- Recent offences, within the last 2 years, that relate to dishonesty, professional misconduct or fraud;
- Serious convictions of crimes which have a maximum punishment in law of 2 years imprisonment or greater.
Should the assessor believe the applicant is not of good and sound character NZCS will write to the applicant outlining the reasoning for this draft determination. The applicant may then respond in writing which will be considered in the final determination.
* Terminology provided in Auckland District Law Society v Atkinson (New Zealand Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, 15 August 1990)