UgoMany Nigerian Nurses dream of working in foreign countries. This is why many young people still desire to gain admission to study nursing even with low JAMB scores.
When applying for a job abroad, the employers often verify the credentials of Nigerian Nurses with the NMCN (Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria). Hence the NMCN verification is very important.
In this article, I will cover facts about the NMCN verification including recent trends and how much it costs.
About the NMCN
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) is a professional body that regulates all Nurses and midwives in Nigeria. It was first established in 1979 and re-established in 2004.
The current registrar of the NMCN is Dr Faruk Umar Abubakar.
How to do your NMCN verification in 2024
In order to complete the NMCN verification process follow the process below;
- Vist the verification portal here.
- Click the link and start the verification application
- You will have to provide an application letter that states the purpose and destination of the verification request.
- Complete the verification form
- Provide a photocopy of the current license
- Provide photocopies of certificates of registration
- Provide a photocopy of the birth certificate or declaration of age
- Pay the verification fee of N68,875 via Remita on the portal
- Enter the Validation Number received from the payment gateway after payment
New rules for NMCN verification
Recently, the NMCN released new guidelines for verification. To verify your NMCN license you now have to fulfill the following requirements;
- A non-refundable fee per application shall be paid for verification to Foreign Boards of Nursing as specified on the portal. They have stated that this is to cover the cost of courier services to the applicant’s institution(s) of training, place of work, and Foreign Board.
- To be eligible, you must have a minimum of two years post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practising licence. Any application with provisional licence will be rejected outrightly.
- The council will request a letter of good standing from the Chief Executive Officer of your place of work and the last nursing training institution attended and responses on these should be addressed directly to the Registrar/CEO, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
- You must possess an active practising licence that is valid for at least six more months.
These changes are to take effect from the 1st of March, 2024.
Update: For Nurses in the United States, the CGFNS has waived the NMCN verification as a requirement for granting them approval to work in the U.S
NMCN exams
To be licensed as a Nurse in Nigeria, you must pass a qualifying exam conducted by the NMCN. You must also have completed 18 months of training at an approved Nigerian school of Nursing.
If you pass the qualifying exam you would then be required to pay your licensing and registration fee.
Other requirements include;
- You must have 5 O’level credit passes in Mathematics, English Language, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
- You should not have more than two sittings from the West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO), or NABTEB
- You should possess a senior secondary school certificate (SSCE) or its equivalent
If successful you would be issued a licence that would be valid for 3 years after which you would have to renew.
How much does it cost to renew the NMCN license?
It costs about N13,125 to renew your NMCN licence. The license must be renewed after it expires. If it isn’t renewed immediately, you will be charged N6,562 for each year you defaulted.
What you can do about it
If you are a young nursing graduate who wants to practice abroad you have a few options to bypass these restrictions but there is something you can try.
Work for free at a clinic to gain the required two years of experience.
Approaching hospitals to work for little or no pay would be much easier and faster than waiting idly for a well-paid job for years. Just see this as an extension of your training and be willing to make the sacrifice. Besides, hospitals in foreign countries would also prefer a job applicant with work experience so you would be killing two birds with one stone.
Alternatively, you can work in countries that waive this NMCN verification. In the United States the CGFNS currently waives this requirement. So if you wish to pursue a Nursing career abroad, consider relocating to the United States.
How much does NMCN verification cost?
NMCN verification costs N68,875. This amount must be paid before your verification can be complete.
How long does NMCN verification take?
NMCN verification currently takes a minimum of 6 months.
How to contact NMCN
The following are NMCN’s contact details
Website: nmcn.gov.ng
Email address: nmcnigeria.org@gmail.com, info@nmcn.gov.ng
Address: Plot 713, Cadastral Zone Life Camp, Gwarinpa, Abuja
Conclusion
The NMCN verification is very important for any Nigerian nurse hoping to build a future as a Nursing professional in a foreign country. I hope this article has helped you realize how you can carry out your plans despite this restriction.
If you also want to know about auxiliary nurses in Nigeria, you can read our article about auxiliary nurses here
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