The Nursing Associate is a distinct profession on the NMC register, separate from the Registered Nurse. It is reached via a two-year foundation degree and has its own NMC registration and PIN. Nursing Associates can subsequently top up to Registered Nurse through a shortened programme.
At a glance
- NMC assessment of full application once all supporting information is received
- Aims to assess within 35 calendar days[4]
- Qualification evaluation outcome notified by email
- Within 14 calendar days of receiving the information from the education institution[5]
- Deadline to submit full application and all verifications after NMC request
- 6 months, otherwise the application is closed[6]
Entry requirements & restrictions
- Qualification evidence required (international route)
- Qualification details and date awarded; scanned certificate; education institution contact details; previous name if different; professional registration details where applicable[7]
- Character evidence (international route)
- Police clearance certificate from any country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years (while aged 18+); standard DBS certificate if in the UK for more than 3 months[8]
- Accepted English tests and minimum scores (IELTS Academic)
- Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7[9]
- Accepted English tests and minimum scores (OET)
- Listening B (350+), Reading B (350+), Writing C+ (300+), Speaking B (350+)[10]
What it costs to qualify
Sources & verification
- Nursing Associate is a separate NMC-registered profession reached via a two-year foundation degree, with a route to top up to Registered Nurse, source, Last verified 2026-06-09
- NMC evaluation fee, nursing associate trained outside England (non-refundable): £140, source, Last verified 2026-10-15 🔶
- NMC registration fee, nursing associate trained outside England (refundable in set circumstances): £153, source, Last verified 2026-10-15 🔶
- NMC assessment of full application once all supporting information is received: Aims to assess within 35 calendar days, source, Last verified 2026-10-15 🔶
- Qualification evaluation outcome notified by email: Within 14 calendar days of receiving the information from the education institution, source, Last verified 2026-10-15 🔶
- Deadline to submit full application and all verifications after NMC request: 6 months, otherwise the application is closed, source, Last verified 2026-10-15 🔶
- Qualification evidence required (international route): Qualification details and date awarded; scanned certificate; education institution contact details; previous name if different; professional registration details where applicable, source, Last verified 2026-10-15
- Character evidence (international route): Police clearance certificate from any country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years (while aged 18+); standard DBS certificate if in the UK for more than 3 months, source, Last verified 2026-10-15
- Accepted English tests and minimum scores (IELTS Academic): Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7, source, Last verified 2026-10-15 🔶
- Accepted English tests and minimum scores (OET): Listening B (350+), Reading B (350+), Writing C+ (300+), Speaking B (350+), source, Last verified 2026-10-15 🔶
Verified reference information, not professional, medical, legal or careers advice. Regulations change; always check the cited primary source before relying on it.