NMC announces third OSCE test centre

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has today announced a third UK centre for the test of competence for nurses and midwives trained outside the EU and EEA. The introduction of the new test centre at Ulster University in Northern Ireland will help to increase capacity, meaning a greater choice of location and shorter waiting times for nurses and midwives wanting to sit the test.

In order to join the NMC’s register, nurses and midwives trained outside the EU/EEA must successfully take a two-part test of competence. The first part is computer-based and can be taken anywhere in the world. If successful, applicants can then take the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in the UK.

Jackie Smith, NMC Chief Executive and Registrar said:

“The NMC recognises the invaluable contribution that nurses and midwives trained outside the EU and EEA make and the vital role they play in the UK’s health and care workforce.

“It is important that nurses and midwives trained outside the EU and EEA wanting to join our register are able to sit this test in a variety of locations across the UK. This new test centre will help to ensure that nurses and midwives with the right skills and knowledge join our register can do so in a timely way.”

The new test centre at Ulster University joins existing centres at the University of Northampton and Oxford Brookes University and will be open for bookings in the spring.

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Notes for editors

1. For media enquiries, please contact NMC press office on 020 7681 5409 or email media@nmc-uk.org.
2. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent professional regulator for nurses and midwives in the UK. We exist to protect the public. We do this by maintaining the register of qualified nurses and midwives and setting standards of education, training, conduct and performance. We make sure that nurses and midwives keep their skills and knowledge up to date through a regular revalidation process. If concerns are raised about the standards of a registered nurse or midwife, we have a duty to investigate and, where necessary, take action to protect the public.