Nurses and midwives trained abroad

Depending on their country of training, nurses and midwives are admitted to our register via different routes

If nurses or midwives trained in countries outside the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) have been admitted to our register, you can be satisfied that we have been able to check the education and practice experience of the new applicants. We will also have been able to verify their good character and language competence. We require an IELTS 7 (which is the proficiency level of the International English Language Testing System) for all applicants to our register who trained overseas, regardless of which country they are from or whether that country is majority English speaking.

We are not currently able to process applications from outside the EU and EEA and are reviewing our policies in this area.

Nurses and midwives from inside the EU or EEA

EEA countries include the 27 member states of the EU, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The same rules also apply to Switzerland.

The process of recognition of qualifications from the EU and EEA is governed by strict legislation based on the principle of freedom of movement. Therefore as a regulator, when it comes to nurses and midwives training in the EU and EEA, we are restricted by EU law in some of the functions that we would normally carry out.

What we can't do as a regulator

By law, the NMC cannot:

  • systematically test the language competence of nurses and midwives who trained within the EU or EEA
  • request transcripts of training or test the knowledge of applicants trained within the EU or EEA, who meet EU requirements for direct entry to the register
  • check whether a nurse or midwife who meets the EU requirements for direct entry to the register has undertaken
    any professional experience since they originally qualified, regardless of how long ago they qualified
  • check whether a nurse or midwife, who trained before their country joined the EU or EEA, has met the standards of knowledge and competence expected of UK and overseas trained nurses and midwives.

We are currently discussing the implications of these limitations with other regulators, government authorities and European partners.

Your duty

Registration with the NMC does not guarantee employment. As an employer you have a duty to ensure that the people you employ are fit for purpose. Always make sure the person you’re employing is  competent  and has the skills required for the specific job role.

 

What you can do as an employer

EU legislation does not prevent you as the employer from assuring yourselves that the nurse or midwife you recruit is competent, safe to practise, has up to date and contemporary knowledge, and has the necessary language and communication skills.

It is therefore your responsibility to make sure that your recruitment systems are robust and that only those applicants who are able to carry out the full duties of a nurse or midwife are employed.

Created date :
05/03/2010
Modified date :
07/02/2013