Group 3: trained outside EU/EEA

If you trained outside the EU or the EEA you are a Group 3 applicant. To be eligible to apply for registration to the Register, you must:

1. Hold a current registration, or licence without restriction, with the competent authority in the country in which you qualified or have been practising
2. If you completed your nurse/midwifery Registration education programme more than five years prior to the date of application, you must have practiced for at least 12 months during that five year period.
3. Meet our English language competence requirements
4. Have completed extra courses leading to registration as a first level nurse, if you hold the following qualifications:

• State enrolled nurse
• State certified nurse
• Licensed practical nurse
• Vocational nurse
• Nurse’s aide, and
• An associate degree (United States)

NMBI will carry out a full education assessment on your application for registration. If you trained in a particular division of a Register in another country, then we will evaluate your training against NMBI’s requirements and standards for that division.

English language competence

If you are a Group 3 applicant and if English is not your first language or primary language of expression, you will need to demonstrate that you can speak English. NMBI only accepts International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Test as evidence of English language competency. NMBI will only accept the minimum scores in the IELTS Academic Test. 

Important:

• Do not apply for registration until you meet the minimum scores under the IELTS Academic Test
• Ensure that the test result is current
• Remember that if you make an application, and don’t meet the English language competence requirement, the assessment fee is non-refundable