Nurses Qualified Overseas

Applying for NMC Registration

Any nurse qualified overseas wishing to work in the UK as a Registered Nurse needs to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for registration:

Applicants must first obtain a registration information pack from the NMC. This can be requested by writing to the overseas registration department at the NMC, by fax on 020 7636 6935 or by email to overseasreg@nmc-uk.org. The pack will be sent by the NMC within 5 working days.

Applicants must provide details of their pre-registration education and training (both theoretical and clinical) and their post-registration education and practice.

Overseas Registration Department
NMC
23 Portland Place
London
W1B 1PZ

Tel: 020 7333 6600
Fax: 020 7636 6935
Email: overseasreg@nmc-uk.org
Email: confirmations@nmc-uk.org

The applicant must be able to demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with patients in English. They may be required to gain a specific mark in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

ENROLLED NURSES QUALIFIED OVERSEAS

These nurses cannot be admitted to the NMC Professional Register. In order to be admitted to the Register it will be necessary to undertake a full Pre Registration Diploma or Degree programme.

The NMC can only accept applications from holders of first level qualifications. They do not accept applications from those who hold the following qualifications:

  1. enrolled nurses
  2. licensed practical nurse (LPN)
  3. vocational nurse
  4. community nurse
  5. state certified nurse
  6. staff nurse (South Africa)
  7. nursery nurse

There is no credit given within these programmes for an overseas Enrolled Nurse Qualification.

Applicants within the EU

Nurses:
Registration in the UK is governed by EC directive 77/452/EC . There are two routes contained within this directive by which you may gain entry to the council''s register . You must either have trained under the EC Syllabus for general nursing or have practised as a first level general nurse for three out of the five years preceding your application for registration in the UK.

Midwives:
EC Midwives Directives 80/154/EC allow Midwives who meet their requirements in relation to training and practice, to apply for registration with the NMC.

Applications Outside the EU

If your qualification was obtained outside the EU and you are applying for registration you may be required to complete a period of supervised practice and assessment prior to your registration.

The period of supervised practice and assessment is not a course, but the NMC does require it to be properly planned using the guidance the council provides, as it can be difficult to obtain placements.

To gain this supervision, placement should be sought as early as possible after the NMC has given you a decision. Experience can be gained in a variety of places providing that there is sufficient supervised practice to meet the NMCs requirements.

On completion of this period of supervised practice, a reference is completed recommending you for registration.