Licensing & Exam Requirements for International Nursing
Country-Specific Licensing & Exams
United States
Licensing Body: NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing)
Exam: NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN
Language: TOEFL or IELTS (some states require it)
Other: CGFNS evaluation may be needed
United Kingdom
Licensing Body: NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council)
Exams:
CBT (Computer-Based Test – theory)
OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination – practical)
Language: IELTS (7.0 overall with 6.5 in writing) or OET (B grade)
Other: NMC registration + health & police clearance
Canada
Licensing Bodies: Provincial bodies (e.g., CNO for Ontario)
Exam: NCLEX-RN
Assessment: Apply via NNAS (National Nursing Assessment Service)
Language: IELTS (Academic) or CELBAN for English proficiency
Australia
Licensing Body: AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
Assessment: Outcome-Based Assessment (OBA) or Bridging Program
Language: IELTS/OET
Other: ANMAC skills assessment (for visa purposes)
New Zealand
Licensing Body: Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ)
Language: IELTS/OET
Other: May require a CAP (Competency Assessment Programme)
Germany
Licensing Body: Regional Gesundheitsamt (Health Office)
Language: B2 level German (mandatory)
Assessment: Skills and knowledge recognition; sometimes adaptation period or exam
Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar)
Exams: Prometric, HAAD, MOH, or DHA depending on the country
Verification: Dataflow and Primary Source Verification (PSV)
Other: Health license application + experience proof.
Thank You
Shajith
