National Competency Assessment Document for the 2025 Standards
National Competency Assessment Document (NCAD) is a national system for undergraduate students to record their achievement of competency in practice. They are currently used across all programmes and years. This is a formalised method to capture initial, middle and final interviews between a student and their preceptor. A student’s achievement of competence is measured against the NMBI Standards for Entry to the Register.
With the introduction of the new Registered Nurse Programmes Standards in 2025, the NCAD was updated to reflect the content of the standards. The NCAD was launched virtually on Monday, 30 March 2026.
The NCAD will come into operation once students start the updated programmes approved by the NMBI Board, due for September 2027.
The documents are available for download through the links below. The launch webinar is also available to watch.
Children's and General Nursing
NCAD - Children's and General Nursing - Year 1
NCAD - Children's and General Nursing - Year 2
NCAD - Children's and General Nursing - Year 3
NCAD - Children's and General Nursing - Year 4
General Nursing
NCAD - General Nursing - Year 1
NCAD - General Nursing - Year 2
NCAD - General Nursing - Year 3
NCAD - General Nursing - Year 4
Intellectual Disability Nursing
NCAD - Intellectual Disability Nursing - Year 1
NCAD - Intellectual Disability Nursing - Year 2
NCAD - Intellectual Disability Nursing - Year 3
NCAD - Intellectual Disability Nursing - Year 4
Mental Health Nursing
NCAD - Mental Health Nursing - Year 1
NCAD - Mental Health Nursing - Year 2
NCAD - Mental Health Nursing - Year 3
NCAD - Mental Health Nursing - Year 4