NMC Registration Guide for Overseas Nurses and Midwives

Internationally trained nurses and midwives who wish to practice in the UK must gain professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The registration pathway requires qualification verification, meeting English language standards, passing the Computer-Based Test (CBT), and successfully completing the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in the UK. Following these mandatory steps ensures you satisfy all regulatory requirements to work as a registered nurse or midwife.

Overview of the NMC Registration Process

Joining the UK register involves a multi-stage process managed through the NMC's online portal, MyNMC. Applicants trained outside the UK must complete specific steps to prove their qualification standards, language competency, and clinical safety:

• Qualification Verification: Initial submission and verification of your overseas nursing or midwifery qualifications.
• English Language Capability: Proving your language skills through accepted tests such as the Occupational English Test (OET) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), in line with NMC guidance.
• Test of Competence Part 1 (CBT): A theoretical exam taken at a computer-based test centre.
• Test of Competence Part 2 (OSCE): A practical clinical examination taken in person at an approved test centre inside the UK.

Computer-Based Test (CBT) Requirements and Rules

The CBT is the first part of the NMC Test of Competence and assesses theoretical clinical knowledge.

Choosing the Correct Exam

You must ensure you register for and sit the exact CBT that matches your field of nursing or midwifery. If an incorrect CBT is taken, you will not be able to progress your application and will be required to re-sit and pass the correct CBT.

Employer Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Rules

If you are securing employment with a UK health employer, passing the CBT is a crucial milestone for your visa paperwork:

• Employers must ensure that an applicant has passed part one of the NMC Test of Competence (CBT) before applying for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
• When submitting a CoS application, the employer must provide a copy of the official email confirmation from the NMC showing that you have successfully passed the CBT.
• While initial preparation tests can technically be taken in any order, the CBT pass confirmation is strictly required prior to the CoS application.

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

Part two of the Test of Competence is the OSCE. Unlike the CBT, applicants must complete the OSCE in person inside the UK at an approved test centre.

Selecting Your OSCE Route

Individuals are responsible for deciding which specific OSCE route they should be placed on. The available pathways cover specific clinical specialisms:

• Adult nursing
• Paediatric nursing
• Mental health nursing
• Learning and disability nursing
• Midwifery
• Nursing associates

Strict Timelines and Passing Rules

When entering the UK on a healthcare visa to complete your registration, specific rules apply to the OSCE:

• First Test Deadline: Candidates must sit their first OSCE test within 12 weeks of the start of their visa or arrival.
• Pass Mark: To pass the OSCE, candidates must pass all stations at 100 per cent.
• Time Limit: Applicants must successfully pass the OSCE within eight months from the start date of their visa.
• Maximum Attempts: You may sit the OSCE up to three times as part of a single registration application.

Required Examination Fees

The official fees associated with the NMC Test of Competence stages are set directly by the regulator:

Stage	Test	Fee
Test of Competence Part 1	Computer-Based Test (CBT)	£83
Test of Competence Part 2	Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)	£794

Post-Registration Requirements and Employment

Upon successful completion of the OSCE and official awarding of your NMC registration, your status transitions from a pre-registration candidate to a fully registered nurse or midwife on the NMC register.

At this point, sponsoring employers are required to commit to your ongoing employment as a registered nurse. Your salary must meet the official requirements specified for healthcare roles under the UK Skilled Worker visa framework.

What This Means for You

Navigating the NMC registration process requires careful planning so that your exam attempts align with your employment offer and visa dates.

Recommended Next Steps

1. Start Your NMC Application: Create your account on the MyNMC portal and begin the qualification verification process.
2. Pass Your English Language Test: Sit an accepted test (OET or IELTS) to satisfy the NMC's English language capability requirements.
3. Book and Sit the CBT: Select the correct CBT route for your specialty (e.g. adult, paediatric, mental health, learning disability, midwifery, or nursing associate).
4. Obtain Your Pass Confirmation: Save the confirmation email sent by the NMC upon passing your CBT and share it with your employer so they can apply for your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
5. Prepare for the OSCE in the UK: Travel to the UK, book your OSCE at an approved test centre within your first 12 weeks, and ensure you pass all stations within eight months.

WE Intelligence tracks exact registration and visa steps for free to keep international healthcare professionals informed. For candidates and employers seeking hands-on, end-to-end guidance, WESolutions is available to provide paid support throughout the international recruitment journey.