Our order and rules

The text of the legislation for regulating nurses, midwives and nursing associates

Much of our legislation has been amended since it was first introduced. For ease of reference, we have produced a number of unofficial consolidated text versions of our legislation which show the legislation currently in effect for regulating nurses, midwives and nursing associates.

Please note, users must consult an official version of the legislation for the purpose of interpreting and applying the law. The original versions of the legislation in effect can be found on the legislation.gov website.

Covid-19 emergency legislation provisions

The consolidated versions below contain emergency changes made to:

  • The Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001;
  • The Nursing and Midwifery Council (Education, Registration and Registration Appeals) Rules 2004;
  • The Nursing and Midwifery Council (Fitness to Practise) Rules 2004; and
  • The Nursing and Midwifery Council (Practice Committees) (Constitution) Rules 2008

These changes were made by the Coronavirus Act 2020 and The Nursing and Midwifery Council (Emergency Procedures) (Amendment) Rules 2020 Order of Council 2020 and The Nursing and Midwifery Council (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No.2) Rules Order of Council 2020. 

Consolidated text versions of our legislation

The order

Legislation Short description PDF link
The Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 – consolidated text Establishes the NMC, sets out our primary purpose of protecting the public, the structure of the organisation and our functions and activities. PDF

Privy Council orders

Legislation Short description PDF links
The Nursing and Midwifery (Constitution) Order 2008 Sets out the requirements and process for becoming a member of our Council. PDF
Nurses and Midwives (Parts of and Entries in the Register) Order of Council 2004 – consolidated text Sets out the structure of the register of nurses, midwives and nursing associates, and protected titles which may only be used by persons on the register. PDF
The Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (Transitional Provisions) Order of Council 2004 – consolidated text Sets out how arrangements for registered nurses and midwives, fitness to practise proceedings and so on were transferred from our predecessor organisation to us when the Order was implemented. PDF
Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (Legal Assessors) Order of Council 2004 – consolidated text Sets out how legal advice should be given by legal assessors to us on points of law at hearings. PDF

Rules

Legislation Short description PDF
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (Education, Registration and Registration Appeals) Rules 2004 – consolidated text Sets out our power to set education and registration requirements, what they are, establish and maintain a register of nurses, midwives and nursing associates, and rights of appeal against decisions. PDF
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (Fitness to Practise) Rules 2004 – consolidated text Sets out how we will investigate and take action on allegations that a registered nurse’s, midwife’s or nursing associate's fitness to practise is impaired. This includes the hearings process, appeals and sanctions that are available. PDF
Nursing and Midwifery Council (Practice Committees) (Constitution) Rules 2008 - consolidated text Sets out statutory practice committees for our key areas of activity, what they do and who is eligible to be a member. PDF
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (Fees) Rules 2004 – consolidated text Sets out the fees that we will charge to registrants. PDF

See the original legal text of our legislation and subsequent amendments [PDF]

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