NMC Nursing Registration
Your pathway to
NMC registration
in the UK.
Internationally qualified nurses from Pakistan, India, Nigeria and the Philippines register with the NMC through a two-part Test of Competence — the CBT (in your home country) and the OSCE (in the UK). We guide you through every step.
Overview
Why you need NMC registration to practise in the UK.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the UK regulator for nurses and midwives. Every nurse practising in the UK must be on the NMC register and hold an active PIN. Without this, you cannot legally work as a nurse in the NHS or private healthcare.
Internationally qualified nurses who trained outside the UK (and outside certain countries with mutual recognition agreements) must pass the NMC Test of Competence — a two-part assessment consisting of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
Full NMC OSCE guideCBT — in your home country
120 multiple-choice questions at Pearson VUE. Tests nursing knowledge across four domains. Available in Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Philippines and 140+ countries.
OSCE — in the UK
10 stations in a simulated ward environment. Tests clinical skills, communication and professional values. Held at approved UK OSCE centres.
NMC PIN — right to practise
On passing both tests and submitting final documents, the NMC issues your PIN. You are then fully registered and can apply for UK nursing jobs.
Eligibility
What you need to qualify for NMC registration.
Nursing qualification
A nursing diploma or degree with a minimum of 3 years of study and at least 500 hours of theory and 500 hours of supervised clinical practice. Equivalent to UK RQF Level 5 or above.
Current nursing registration
Active registration as a nurse in your home country. The NMC requires evidence of current registration with your national nursing regulator — lapsed registration will delay your application.
English language proficiency
IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall with 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking, and a minimum of 6.5 in writing. OET Nursing: Grade B in reading, listening and speaking, and C+ in writing.
Good character and health
No fitness to practise concerns, criminal convictions or ongoing investigations with your home country regulator. The NMC requires a Declaration of Good Character and Health at the point of application.
Step by step
From your overseas nursing degree to NMC PIN.
Eligibility assessment & document submission
Complete the NMC self-assessment and submit your qualifications for evaluation. The NMC charges a £140 evaluation fee. Processing typically takes 8–12 weeks. You receive a decision letter confirming eligibility for the Test of Competence.
English language test
Pass IELTS Academic (7.0/6.5W) or OET Nursing (B/C+W) before sitting the CBT. You can take the English test in your home country. The result must not be older than 2 years at the time of NMC application.
CBT — Computer-Based Test
A 120-question multiple-choice test sitting in your home country at Pearson VUE centres. Available in Pakistan, India, Nigeria, the Philippines and 140+ other countries. Fee: £83 per attempt. Tests nursing knowledge across four domains.
OSCE — Objective Structured Clinical Examination
A 10-station practical exam held at NMC-approved OSCE centres across the UK. You must travel to the UK to sit the OSCE. Fee: £794 per attempt. Tests clinical skills, communication and professional values in a simulated ward environment.
Read our full OSCE preparation guideNMC registration & PIN
After passing both the CBT and OSCE, submit your final NMC registration application (£153 fee). On approval, you receive your NMC Personal Identification Number (PIN) — your legal right to practise as a nurse in the UK.
Most challenging step
The OSCE — where candidates need the most preparation.
The NMC OSCE has a first-attempt pass rate of around 40–54% depending on centre. New stations were added in February 2026, including Deteriorating Patient, Anti-Embolism Stockings, and Pre-Operative Checklist. Read our complete preparation guide.
Fees
How much does NMC registration cost?
The total cost of NMC registration for a first-time applicant is approximately £1,170 in official fees — covering evaluation, CBT, OSCE and registration. This does not include English language test fees (IELTS ~£190 / OET ~£587), travel to the UK for the OSCE, or accommodation costs.
Once registered, the UK Health and Care Worker Visa offers IHS exemption — saving £1,035+ per year compared to standard visas. Your employer will sponsor your visa application.
NMC fee breakdown — 2026
Countries we support
Nurses from across the world choose Global Pathways.
Pakistan
CBT available in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Many Pakistani nurses sit OSCE at Ulster or Northumbria.
India
CBT centres across major cities. One of the largest sources of NMC applicants — early applications recommended.
Nigeria
CBT available in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. High pass rates at CBT — OSCE preparation is critical.
Philippines
A large volume of Filipino nurses register with NMC each year. CBT available across the Philippines.
Ghana
CBT available in Accra. NMC accepts NMCGH registration. Growing number of Ghanaian applicants.
Other Countries
Zimbabwe, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Nepal, UAE and many more. We advise on country-specific document requirements.
After registration
Once you have your NMC PIN — get your visa and start working.
NMC OSCE Preparation
Full guide to the 10 OSCE stations, new February 2026 updates, pass rates by centre, and an 8-week preparation plan.
Health & Care Worker Visa
No IHS, fees from £304, and a maintained 5-year route to ILR. The fastest visa route for UK nurses after NMC registration.
OSPAP for Pharmacists
Know a pharmacist who also needs UK registration? GPhC registration via OSPAP — end-to-end support available.
FAQ
Common questions about NMC registration.
How long does NMC registration take from start to finish?
The full process typically takes 12–18 months from initial application to receiving your NMC PIN. This includes 8–12 weeks for the evaluation decision, time to sit the CBT (usually 2–4 months after eligibility), and 6–12 weeks waiting for an OSCE slot after passing CBT. Planning ahead is essential.
Can I sit the CBT in my home country?
Yes. The NMC CBT is available at Pearson VUE test centres in over 140 countries — including Pakistan, India, Nigeria, the Philippines and Ghana. You only need to travel to the UK for the OSCE.
What IELTS score do I need for NMC registration?
You need IELTS Academic with a minimum of 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking, and at least 6.5 in writing. Your overall band score must also be 7.0. Alternatively, OET Nursing requires Grade B in reading, listening and speaking, and Grade C+ in writing.
How many attempts do I get for the OSCE?
You have a maximum of 4 attempts at the NMC OSCE. There is no restriction on the number of CBT attempts within the 2-year validity window. If you exhaust your OSCE attempts, you must re-apply for a new eligibility decision from the NMC before attempting again.
Do I need a job offer before sitting the OSCE?
No. You can sit the OSCE without having a UK job offer. However, most nurses begin searching for NHS and private healthcare jobs after passing the CBT so that an offer is in place by the time they travel to the UK for the OSCE — making the transition faster.
What visa do I need to sit the OSCE in the UK?
You need a UK Standard Visitor Visa to enter the UK for the OSCE if you have not yet received a job offer. Once you pass the OSCE and have a job offer from a UK sponsor, you apply for the Health and Care Worker Visa to live and work in the UK permanently.
Free consultation
Ready to start your UK nursing career?
Tell us your nursing qualification, country and current registration status. A Global Pathways advisor will map your NMC registration pathway and Health & Care Visa route — completely free.
Email us directly
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