21/03/2026
If you’re an overseas nurse hoping to work in the UK, the process of getting registered with the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) can feel confusing at first. But the good news is, the pathway is actually very clear once you understand the steps.
Here is the current general route most international nurses follow to get NMC registration:
1. Check your eligibility
First, you create an account with the UK NMC and confirm that your nursing qualification meets their requirements. You’ll submit details about your training, identity, and English language evidence.
2. English language requirement
You usually need proof of English through tests like IELTS or OET (unless you trained in a country or programme that meets NMC exemptions).
3. Computer Based Test (CBT)
This is a theory exam you can take in your home country. It tests your nursing knowledge and understanding of UK practice.
4. Apply for jobs in the UK
Many NHS trusts and care organisations recruit overseas nurses and often support relocation, visa sponsorship, and exam preparation.
5. Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
After arriving in the UK, you’ll take the OSCE. This is a practical exam that assesses your clinical skills and communication.
6. Get fully registered
Once you pass the OSCE and complete final checks, you are added to the NMC register and can work fully as a registered nurse in the UK.
The process can take time, but thousands of international nurses successfully complete it every year — and the UK continues to welcome skilled healthcare professionals from around the world.
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Someone out there is planning their move to the UK, this information might change their life.