In order to register you must be able to speak and communicate in English. Evidence of this is accepted in the following formats:

• You have recently achieved the required score in one of the English language tests accepted by the NMC.
• A recent pre-registration nursing or midwifery qualification that was taught and examined in English.
• Registration and practice of at least one year in a country where English is the first and native language and an English language assessment was required for registration.

You also need to have worked as a fully licenced and registered nurse for a minimum of 12 months and have the evidence to support this (in certain circumstances, for a complete list of requirements visit NMC Registration). Additionally, if you want to work in a specific area of nursing, your experience/evidence should reflect your expertise in this area.

The application process
You will initially have to complete an eligibility test to ensure you meet their minimum requirements. Once these have been confirmed, you will be expected to pay for and complete a test of competence, consisting of two parts:

• A multiple-choice exam you can complete online at test centres in your country. On completing this you will have to provide identification and proof of your registration for everywhere you have worked, also including your valid references.
• The next part of the process is essentially a test of your skills and competence. This is known as an Objective-Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and has to be completed in the UK. Here you will face a series of mock scenarios which you are likely to encounter at work. You will be assessed over a period of time and there are six stations for you to deal with. You will only pass if you safely meet the required standards.

A face-to-face ID check will take place at the OSCE location on the same day as the assessment. You will need to bring all the original documents that you have uploaded as supporting evidence for your application.

After successfully passing the assessments & ID Check, applicants can complete the final declaration and submit payment for registration online. Once both have been received you will be sent your registration number or PIN.

Jobs and visas
After you’ve received your pin and have a job, you must apply for and then receive a valid work visa to ensure you can legally work in the UK. Visa requirements are subject to change to keep up to date visit the below websites.

• https://www.nhsemployers.org/recruitment/international-recruitment
• https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas