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Empower Your Nursing Journey: Conquer the Overseas Nurse Licensure Examination to unlock endless possibilities in your international nursing career.

To work as a nurse in the UK with a foreign nursing qualification, individuals must complete the Test of Competence, which includes the CBT and OSCE exams.

The nursing council registration process is essential for ensuring that all nurses meet the required standards.

There are distinct fields of nursing practice available, including Adult Nursing, Children’s Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing,  Mental Health Nursing and Midwifery. 

 

Overview of the test of competence 
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The test of competence is specific to the appropriate nursing field and always consists of two parts. 

 

Part 1 is a computer-based test (CBT). The CBT contains a numeracy test (which consists of short-answer questions requiring a numerical answer), objective questions and a theory test (which is multiple choice). 


The CBT can be taken at a Pearson VUE test centre, available in most countries around the world. 


Candidates will be given a short tutorial on how to use the computer before starting the examination. 


The CBT comprises 115 questions. All questions are scored as correct or incorrect, and there is no partial credit. 


Part A will comprise a 15-mark numeracy assessment. 
Part B will be a 100-mark theory assessment. 
The length of the CBT is 3 hours, and this includes any breaks from testing, which are optional. 


Part 2 is a nursing objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).  A practical nursing examination. 
The OSCE is available in the UK only, at a designated test centre. . 
The CBT and OSCE can be taken in any order.

United Kingdom

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Ireland

Overseas Aptitude Test -  Adult Health Nursing

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RCSI's Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery (FNM) developed the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test for Overseas General Nurses . To be eligible to apply for the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test you must have an in-date NMBI decision letter stating that:

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  • It is the General Nurses Division that applies to your application.

  • You need to successfully complete a compensation measure and one of the compensation measures is the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test for General Nurses.

 

Overseas Aptitude Test - Psychiatric Nursing

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RCSI's Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery (FNM) developed the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test for Overseas Psychiatric Nurses. To be eligible to apply for the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test you must have an in-date NMBI decision letter stating that:

 

  • It is the Psychiatric Nurses Division that applies to your application.

  • You need to successfully complete a compensation measure and that one of the compensation measures is the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test for Psychiatric Nurses. ​

 

Structure of the Test

The test comprises two parts:

Part 1: Theory or knowledge test (MCQ), which must be passed before attempting Part 2.
Part 2: Practical or OSCE test.

Both parts follow NMBI Standards for Nurse Registration Education Programmes, assessing suitability for psychiatric nurse registration in the Republic of Ireland, not just for specific job environments.

 

Attempts

Each part allows two attempts (including one repeat). The theory test must be retaken in full if failed. For the OSCE, only the failed stations need to be resat.

A minimum of two weeks is recommended to prepare for the second attempt.

You must be able to demonstrate that you are competent to practise in New Zealand.

The Council may require a nurse, who is registered overseas, to complete a competence assessment before we can grant New Zealand registration.

If you hold current registration in the UK, Ireland, Ontario, British Columbia, Singapore or the USA your application will be assessed by the Council and you may not be required to undertake the below examinations.

The Nursing council of New Zealand will advise you if you need to do this after we assess your application.

Theoretical and clinical exam process

From 4 December 2023, an internationally qualified nurse who applies to NCNZ to become a Registered Nurse and who is required to undertake an assessment of competence, will need to successfully complete the following:

  • an online theoretical exam that tests nursing knowledge, taken at an accredited exam centre overseas or in New Zealand.

  • A two-day orientation and preparation course followed by a three-hour clinical examination known as an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). These will take place in person in New Zealand at an accredited centre.

Competence Assessment Programmes (CAPs)

An internationally qualified nurse who has applied to NCNZ before 4 December 2023, and is required to undertake an assessment of competence, will need to successfully complete a Competence Assessment Programme (CAP).

The CAP prepares overseas nurses for the nursing role and healthcare context of New Zealand, which is different to many other countries.

CAPs are generally six to twelve weeks long and include theory and clinical components.

You can find out more about Competence Assessment Programmes here.

There will be a transition phase where we have both the CAPs and the examination process running at the same time throughout 2024 and into 2025.

New Zealand

USA, Canada & Australia

In order to practise nursing in the United States, Canada or Australia, you will need to have a professional licence from the state where you plan to work. Registered Nurse licences are regulated by State Boards of Nursing with varying requirements.

You will likely need to pass a licensure exam to be registered as a nurse by your state board which consists of:

  • a credentials evaluation

  • NCLEX - RN and

  • an English language proficiency component.

The NCLEX-RN, which stands for the National Council Licensure Examination [for] Registered Nurses (RN), is a computer adaptive test that is required for nursing graduates to successfully pass to be licensed as a Registered Nurse in the US and Canada. In other words, anyone who wants to become a Registered Nurse in either the US or Canada, must pass the NCLEX-RN.

Eligibility & Licensure Requirements are determined by the individual State Board of Nursing where the candidate will practise.

NCLEX-RN examinations are administered in a computer adaptive form. Therefore, the length format may vary based on a candidate-specific ability. 

On April 1, 2023, NCSBN successfully launched the NGN examination, an enhancement of the world’s premier licensure exam. 10% of the NCLEX exam will include new, long form question types that will test a nursing graduate's clinical reasoning skills.

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