What is the NMC and Why Register?
The NMC is the independent regulatory body for nurses, midwives, and nursing associates in the UK. They ensure that nurses and midwives practicing in the UK meet the necessary qualifications and skills to protect the public.
Registration with the NMC allows you to join their official register, demonstrating your eligibility to practice nursing or midwifery in the UK.
The NMC Registration Process
Here’s a breakdown of the NMC registration Process.
Part 1: Eligibility Assessment
- Create an Account: The first step is to create an account on the NMC website. You’ll need to provide basic details as they appear on your passport. At this point, you’ll also be asked to choose your field of nursing. For Example: Adult, Paediatrics , Mental Health or Learning Disabilities.
- Identity Verification: The NMC will require a copy of your passport to verify your identity. Ensure your passport is valid at the time you upload it.
- Qualification Check: You’ll need to upload a copy of the original qualification certificate you received upon completing your course. This should be the certificate for the qualification you’re using to register. Make sure your name, the name of the qualification, and the date you were awarded the qualification are clearly visible on the certificate.
- Registration Check: You’ll need to upload a copy of your original registration certificate from the country where you received your nursing training. The NMC will then send an email to this nursing council to verify the details you’ve provided.
- Pay the Registration Fee: When you’re ready to submit your eligibility and qualification application, you’ll need to pay the non-refundable qualification evaluation fee of £140. This fee allows you to submit your application online. Carefully review all application details to avoid delays.
- Third-Party Verification: Your country’s nursing council needs to confirm your registration with the UK NMC. This is called Third-Party Verification. Contact your Nursing Council and request confirmation of your registration with the UK NMC. Once verified, the NMC will accept and confirm your nursing education qualification via email.
Upon completing the NMC 1st stage evaluation the NMC will give you the authorization to write the CBT and OSCE exam.
Part 2: Assessment of Competence
7. Computer-Based Test (CBT): If eligible, you’ll take the CBT, a computer-based test assessing your theoretical knowledge of nursing or midwifery. It’s a multiple-choice exam offered at global test centers. The CBT is divided into two parts:
- Part A: Numeracy – 15 questions
- Part B: Clinical questions specific to nursing or midwifery – 100 questions
The fee for sitting both parts of the CBT is £83. Resit fees apply for failing parts:
- Resit both parts: £83
- Resit Part A only: £50
- Resit Part B only: £70
You have three attempts with a minimum 10-day gap between attempts. Ensure the CBT aligns with your application type. If your CBT doesn’t match the type of application you’re applying for, you won’t be able to proceed with that application and will need to retake the right CBT.
8. Supporting Documents: After passing the CBT, gather and submit the following supporting documents:
a) Health Evidence: The NMC UK needs to ensure applicants are healthy for safe and effective practice. Here you have to provide the details of the Health practitioner or Occupation health department to confirm your health is okay to work in the UK.
b) Self-Declaration: You must declare any police charges, cautions, convictions, conditional discharges, or determinations made by regulatory bodies in the UK (other than NMC) or overseas.
c) Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs): You’ll need PCCs from each country you’ve lived in for a year or more, up to 10 years ago (not necessarily consecutive).
d) English Language Proficiency: The NMC requires evidence of effective communication in English (speaking, reading, listening, writing).
- You can provide an approved English language test like: International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Overall score of 7, with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and 7 in reading, listening, and speaking. Scores from two tests within six months can be combined under certain conditions. Occupational English Test (OET): Achieve a grade C+ in writing and at least a B in reading, listening, and speaking. Similar combination rules apply for OET scores.
- Pre-registration qualification taught and examined in English.
- Recent practice (at least one year) in an English-speaking country.
e) Professional Indemnity Arrangement:
Having an appropriate professional indemnity arrangement is a legal requirement for everyone on the NMC register when they practice in their professional capacity. During your application, they will ask you to declare that you have (or will have) appropriate indemnity coverage in place whenever you practice. While you don’t personally need to hold the indemnity cover yourself, it’s your responsibility to ensure that appropriate cover is in place. Therefore, it’s worth checking with your employer or insurance provider to confirm this.
9. Pay the registration fee: When you’re ready to submit your application, you’ll need to pay the £153 registration fee.
10. Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
The OSCE is a practical examination that forms part two of the Test of Competence. It assesses your clinical and communication skills. You can take the CBT (computer-based test) or OSCE in any order, but you must pass both parts to proceed with your application for initial registration or readmission. You have three attempts in total to pass the OSCE, which costs £794. The resit fee is £397 if you need to retake 7 or fewer stations.
An individual entering the UK to take a nursing role has up to three months (12 weeks) from the employment start date noted on the certificate of sponsorship to sit their first attempt at an OSCE exam.
Once you have successfully passed part 2 test of competence (OSCE), you will receive your NMC pin in the post.
Get Expert NMC Registration Support with Global Nurse Force
We understand the complexity of the NMC registration process. That’s why we offer comprehensive NMC registration support services. We can guide you through each step, help you gather the necessary documents, and ensure your NMC application process is smooth and stress-free.