NMC CBT and OSCE: what nurses abroad need
NMC CBT and OSCE explained for nurses: which countries need it, the score or result each regulator sets, and where to book. Every figure shows its official source and the date we checked it.
What it is
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) asks nurses who trained outside the UK to pass its Test of Competence in two parts. Part 1 is a computer-based test (CBT) with numeracy and nursing theory, taken from your home country before travel at Pearson VUE centres.
Part 2 is an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) at an NMC-approved test centre in the UK, usually after arrival with an employer.
Which countries need it
United KingdomThe score or requirement in each country
Each entry shows the date we checked it and a link to the official page it comes from.
Test of Competence part 1: CBT (numeracy + clinical)
- Provider
- NMC test provider (Pearson VUE centres)
- Requirement
- Computer-based test in two parts, numeracy and nursing theory; taken from home country before travel
- Attempts
- Partial resits allowed (numeracy only or clinical only)
Test of Competence part 2: OSCE
- Provider
- NMC-approved UK test centres
- Requirement
- Objective structured clinical examination in the UK, usually after arrival with an employer
- Attempts
- Partial resit if up to seven stations failed; full resit if eight or more failed
Official fees
Fees as listed by the regulator on the date shown. Visa, travel and test fees are not included.
- United Kingdom: CBT first sittingGBP 83
- United Kingdom: OSCE first sittingGBP 794
Official booking and regulator links
The regulator page for each country and the official booking pages we checked.
- United Kingdom: RegulatorNursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)Checked 29 October 2026
- United Kingdom: Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)Test of Competence: CBT and OSCEChecked 31 October 2026
- United Kingdom: Pearson VUE, the NMC test partnerBook your CBT (Part 1)Checked 31 October 2026
- United Kingdom: Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)OSCE (Part 2) and the UK test centresChecked 31 October 2026
Practise now
Start with 5 free questions. This pool has 4898 questions.
Practice questions are original, drafted with automated tools and checked by automated review steps. Not official exam material and not reviewed one by one by a licensed nurse. Not affiliated with any exam body. For exam practice only, not for patient care. How we make and check content
Questions and answers
What is NMC CBT and OSCE?
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) asks nurses who trained outside the UK to pass its Test of Competence in two parts. Part 1 is a computer-based test (CBT) with numeracy and nursing theory, taken from your home country before travel at Pearson VUE centres. Part 2 is an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) at an NMC-approved test centre in the UK, usually after arrival with an employer.
Which countries need NMC CBT and OSCE?
In the destination data we hold: United Kingdom. Each country page shows the regulator, the exam, the score and the date we last checked.
What score or result does each country require for NMC CBT and OSCE?
United Kingdom, Test of Competence part 1: CBT (numeracy + clinical): Computer-based test in two parts, numeracy and nursing theory; taken from home country before travel. Partial resits allowed (numeracy only or clinical only) (checked 2026-10-29). United Kingdom, Test of Competence part 2: OSCE: Objective structured clinical examination in the UK, usually after arrival with an employer. Partial resit if up to seven stations failed; full resit if eight or more failed (checked 2026-10-29).
What does NMC CBT and OSCE cost?
United Kingdom, CBT first sitting: GBP 83 (checked 2026-10-29). United Kingdom, OSCE first sitting: GBP 794 (checked 2026-10-29). Fees are as the regulator lists them on that date; test centre, visa and travel costs are not included.
Where can I check the official rules or book NMC CBT and OSCE?
United Kingdom, Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC): https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/register-nurse-midwife/trained-outside-uk/; United Kingdom, Test of Competence: CBT and OSCE (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)): https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/toc/; United Kingdom, Book your CBT (Part 1) (Pearson VUE, the NMC test partner): https://home.pearsonvue.com/nmc; United Kingdom, OSCE (Part 2) and the UK test centres (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)): https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/toc/toc-nursing-and-midwifery/osce/.
Can I practise for NMC CBT and OSCE here?
Yes. The Clinical nursing knowledge pool has 4,898 free practice questions. They are drafted with automated tools, checked by automated review steps, are not official exam material and are not reviewed item by item by a licensed nurse. Start with 5 questions.
General information from official sources, not legal or immigration advice.