New overseas registration process will enhance public protection

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) will introduce a new registration process for nurses who trained outside the EEA in autumn 2014 which will enhance public protection.

The new process will be underpinned by an online application process and a two-part competence test, which will replace the current overseas nursing programme and adaption to midwifery programme. 

Jackie Smith, NMC Chief Executive and Registrar, said: 

“What we are proposing for nurses and midwives who trained outside the EEA will enhance public protection through a process which will test competence.”

From autumn, overseas applicants to the register will be required to: 

• Apply online to join the NMC register.
• Sit an online examination at one of the global centres local to them. 
• In the UK, complete an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). This will be a practical test of conduct and competence in a simulated practice environment.
• Present documentation to the NMC including identification, university transcripts and IELTs certificates.

-End-

Notes for editors

1.   We are the nursing and midwifery regulator for England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Islands. We exist to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the public. We set standards of education, training, conduct and performance for nurses and midwives, and hold the register of those who have qualified and meet those standards. We provide guidance to help nurses and midwives keep their skills and knowledge up to date and uphold our professional standards. We have clear and transparent processes to investigate and deal with nurses and midwives who fall short of our standards.

2.   For media enquiries, please contact the NMC media team at media@nmc-uk.org or on 020 7681 5936.