The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has released updated guidelines for nurses seeking certificate verification with foreign nursing boards and councils. The revised requirements, announced on Wednesday and signed by the Registrar/Secretary General of NMCN, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, introduce key changes that applicants must follow.

Key Updates on Certificate Verification

1. Two Years Post-Qualification Experience Required
   • Applicants must have at least two years of post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of their permanent practising licence.
   • Applications submitted with a provisional licence will be automatically rejected.
2. Online Application Process
   • Applicants must visit https://licence.nmcn.gov.ng/ and log in to initiate their verification request by clicking on the verification application link.
3. Payment for Verification
   • A non-refundable fee is required per application, as specified on the NMCN portal.
   • The fee covers the cost of courier services to the applicant’s training institution, place of work, and the foreign nursing board.
4. Letter of Good Standing Requirement
   • The council will request a letter of good standing from:
     • The Chief Executive Officer of the applicant’s place(s) of work.
     • The last nursing training institution attended.
   • These letters must be sent directly to the Registrar/CEO of NMCN. Applicants cannot submit these letters themselves.
5. Active Practising Licence
   • Applicants must have a valid practising licence with at least six months validity remaining at the time of application.

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How This Affects Different Nursing Graduates

• For University Nursing Graduates:
  • After completing a five-year B.NSc program, graduates receive a provisional licence upon passing the Nursing and Midwifery Council exams.
  • They must first obtain their permanent practising licence before accumulating the required two years of post-qualification experience.
  • This means university graduates will need to work for at least two years post-licensure before they can apply for certificate verification.
• For School of Nursing Graduates:
  • Those who studied in a School of Nursing undergo a three-year diploma program and also receive a provisional licence upon passing the council exams.
  • Like university graduates, they must first secure their permanent practising licence and then gain two years of work experience before applying for verification.

What This Means for Nurses

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) now requires nurses who want to work abroad to have at least two years of work experience after getting their permanent practising licence.

Key Points to Remember:

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1. No Provisional Licence – You must have a permanent practising licence before applying.
2. Two Years of Work Experience – This starts counting from when your permanent licence is issued.
3. Apply Online – Visit https://licence.nmcn.gov.ng/ to start your verification.
4. Non-Refundable Fee – You must pay a fee covering processing and courier costs.
5. Letter of Good Standing – Must come directly from your last school and employer, not through you.

These new guidelines mean that nurses planning to work abroad must gain at least two years of work experience in Nigeria before applying for certificate verification. Additionally, ensuring their practicing license remains active and valid for at least six months is now a crucial requirement.

Nurses are encouraged to visit the NMCN website for further details and ensure they meet all criteria before submitting their application.