The Afera Encyclopaedia: Careers edition
NMC
Verified reference for UK professional registers, credentials and career pathways. Every entry shows its sources and last-verified date. The “Verified by Verifera” mark appears only when all facts are in-window.
How to become a nurse in the UK — routes to NMC registration
The routes onto the NMC register: a three-year nursing degree, a four-year Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship, an accelerated two-year route for existing graduates, or the nursing associate route with a top-up to RN. Internationally-educated nurses register through the Test of Competence — a CBT sat in-country, then an OSCE sat in the UK.
✔ Verified by Verifera · 15 Oct 2026CredentialNMC Revalidation
How nurses, midwives and nursing associates renew NMC registration every three years — demonstrating practice hours, CPD, reflection and confirmation.
✔ Verified by Verifera · 15 Oct 2026CredentialNMC Test of Competence (CBT + OSCE)
The two-part assessment internationally-educated nurses pass to register with the NMC: a Computer-Based Test (CBT) of theory, taken online in-country, then an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), taken in the UK.
✔ Verified by Verifera · 15 Oct 2026PathwayNurse Registration in the UK from Nigeria: the NMC Route
The route from a Nigerian nursing qualification to UK practice: the NMC's overseas registration process (qualification evaluation, English language evidence, the two-part Test of Competence, health, character and identity checks), followed by the Health and Care Worker visa, which requires a job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor.
✔ Verified by Verifera · 25 Oct 2026RegisterNursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
The UK regulator for nurses, midwives and nursing associates. Its register has distinct parts — Registered Nurse (four fields), Midwife, Nursing Associate and SCPHN — and a PIN's status is checkable on the online register.
✔ Verified by Verifera · 15 Oct 2026ProfessionNursing Associate
A distinct NMC-registered role (separate from Registered Nurse), reached via a two-year foundation degree, which can later be topped up to Registered Nurse.
✔ Verified by Verifera · 15 Oct 2026