Rules for overseas nurse applicants

All overseas applicants need to pass their CBT and comply with all other initial requirements of the NMC overseas nursing process (including achieving language capability requirements) and sit the OSCE and complete their registration. NMC guidance is available on how an overseas applicant can meet the required level of English language capability.
An individual entering the UK to take a nursing role normally has up to 12 weeks from the employment start date noted on the certificate of sponsorship (CoS) to sit their first attempt at the OSCE exam. During this period they can be legally employed as a pre-registration candidate.
It is important that – in line with visa requirements – candidates sit their first OSCE test within 12 weeks. If, due to OSCE availability, this is not possible, trusts will be expected to keep records to demonstrate their efforts to book a test and add a sponsor note to the UKVI system.
Individuals are responsible to decide which OSCE route they should be placed on. There are specific OSCE’s for adult nursing, paediatric nursing, mental health nursing, learning and disability nursing, midwifery, and nursing associates.