Your qualification must meet the eligibility criteria for the part of the NMC register to which you are applying for your application to be considered.

For nursing, you’ll need to hold a qualification capable of leading to registration as the equivalent of a UK Level 1 nurse, in the country in which you trained. In the UK, a Level 1 nurse is a nurse who has completed a three- year programme of education leading to a nursing qualification and an academic qualification (a degree or diploma).

For midwifery, you’ll need to hold a qualification capable of leading to registration as a midwife in the country in which you’ve trained.

This is the first stage of the application process. You’ll need to complete an online self-assessment, which will confirm if you’re eligible to apply. As part of this, you’ll be asked to confirm that you meet our health and good character and our English language requirements. You’ll also need to confirm that you understand you will be asked to provide us with supporting documents to evidence this later in the application process.

If you complete these declarations and can’t provide any supporting evidence later on, we won’t progress your application and any costs you’ve incurred won’t be refunded.

Once you’ve passed the eligibility stage, you’ll be asked to sit the CBT. This is a test of your theoretical practice-based knowledge. The test format is a multiple choice test and can be taken in test centres around the world.

You’ll have three attempts at the CBT as part of one application, with a minimum of ten days in between each sitting. You’ll need to pass within six months of completing your eligibility. If you’ve not completed the CBT within six months of completing your eligibility it will expire and you’ll need to complete the online self- assessment again.

If you’re unsuccessful on your third attempt, your application will close and you’ll need to wait six months in order to restart the application process.

NMC accepts two language tests as evidence of your ability to communicate effectively in English: the International English Language Test System (IELTS) Academic and the Occupational English Test (OET).

You must achieve the required score in each of the four areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Your test scores are valid for two years.

Find out more about acceptable scores