NMC Registration Support for International Nurses and Midwives
The NMC pathway is long. We guide you through every step: document preparation, CBT preparation, OSCE coaching, and connecting you with NHS employers once you are registered. Free first session.
Book a free first sessionWhat internationally trained nurses must complete to register with the NMC
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the UK regulator for nurses and midwives. Without NMC registration, you cannot legally work as a nurse or midwife in the UK in any clinical capacity. The registration process for internationally trained nurses involves three distinct stages: document verification, a theory test (CBT), and a practical clinical skills assessment (OSCE).
The process is manageable but lengthy. Most nurses we support who begin well-prepared complete it in 9 to 12 months. The most common reasons it takes longer are English language test delays, document errors that are caught late, and insufficient OSCE preparation.
NMC registration requirements at a glance
- 01English language: IELTS Academic 7.0 in all four components, or OET Grade B in all components
- 02Nursing degree or diploma certificate with official transcripts and certified translation
- 03Good standing certificate from the Indian Nursing Council (INC) or State Nursing Council
- 04Evidence of 12 months post-qualification clinical practice in the past 3 years
- 05Pass the NMC CBT (Computer Based Test): 120 questions, approximately 60% pass mark
- 06Pass the OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) at an NMC-approved centre in the UK
Preparing for the NMC Computer Based Test
The CBT tests nursing theory and knowledge, not clinical skills. It is taken at Pearson VUE centres in India before you travel to the UK, which means you can prepare thoroughly from home. The four domains tested are professional values, communication and interpersonal skills, nursing practice and decision-making, and leadership, management, and teamwork.
What makes the CBT difficult for Indian nurses
The CBT tests nursing within a UK legal and ethical framework. Questions on professional values test your knowledge of NMC codes of conduct and UK patient rights legislation, not the Indian Nursing Council framework you trained under. Nurses who prepare only with medical knowledge study guides often struggle with the professional and ethical domains.
The decision-making domain also tests critical thinking about clinical scenarios, not factual recall. Understanding how to read and interpret scenario-based questions requires practice with the actual CBT question format.
We provide 8 weeks of structured CBT preparation covering all four domains, with weekly mock tests using question formats matched to the actual CBT style.
What our CBT preparation covers
Core professional framework, patient rights, consent, confidentiality, and safeguarding in the UK context.
UK communication standards, de-escalation, family communication, and documentation requirements.
Prioritisation, delegation, deteriorating patient recognition, and NEWS2 scoring interpretation.
Full timed practice papers with performance analysis, weak domain identification, and targeted revision.
OSCE: the clinical skills assessment you take in the UK
The OSCE is 11 stations testing 19 clinical skills. Each station lasts between 10 and 20 minutes. You are assessed by trained examiners against the NMC standards of proficiency. You must pass all stations to achieve overall OSCE success.
Clinical skills tested in the NMC OSCE
Important: OSCE must be done in the UK
The NMC OSCE is only available at approved test centres in the UK. You cannot complete the OSCE from India. Most nurses arrange their OSCE after receiving a conditional job offer from a UK NHS trust, which typically also assists with visa costs. The OSCE costs £173 per attempt. We coach you in clinical station technique to maximise first-attempt pass rates.
Ready to start your NMC registration journey?
Book a free first session. We assess your current stage, identify exactly what documents you need, and map out your timeline to NMC registration and UK employment.
Book your free first session