Nigerian nurses must work for two years post qualification before they can practice abroad — NMCN

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has announced that Nigerian nurses and midwives must acquire a minimum of two years of post-qualification work experience from the date of receiving their permanent practicing license before their certificates can undergo verification by foreign nursing boards/councils.

This directive was issued through a circular titled "Revised Guidelines for the Verification of Certificate(s) with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for Practice Abroad."

The council emphasized that applications submitted with provisional licenses will be promptly declined. Additionally, all applicants intending to relocate must possess an active practicing license with a minimum validity period of six months from the expiration date.

Effective March 1, 2024, the revised guidelines aim to streamline the verification process and elevate the standards of nursing education and practice to align with global best practices. The council clarified that all pending verification applications submitted before this revision will be processed according to the previous guidelines.

As per the revised guidelines, the Council will request a letter of good standing from the Chief Executive Officer of the applicant’s current workplace and the last nursing training institution attended.

Key guidelines and requirements include:

1. Eligible applicants must have a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience, starting from the date of issuance of their permanent practicing license. Applications with provisional licenses will be automatically rejected.

2. The Council will request a Letter of Good Standing from the Chief Executive Officer of the applicant’s workplace and the last nursing training institution attended.

3. Responses to these requests should be directed to the Registrar/CEO of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

4. Applicants must possess an active practicing license with at least six months remaining before expiration.

5. Applicants are required to initiate the verification application process by logging in to the official portal at https://licence.nmen.gov.ng/ and clicking on the dedicated link.

6. A non-refundable fee per application must be paid through the portal for verification to Foreign Boards of Nursing. This fee covers the cost of courier services to the applicant’s training institution(s), place of work, and the respective Foreign Board.

7. During the application process, applicants must upload Certificates of Registration only; Notification of Registration will not be accepted.

8. Applicants will receive timely notifications via email and dashboard regarding the status of their verification application.