If you’re an internationally educated nurse working toward UK registration, 2026 has been one of the busiest years for the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in a decade. A new digital portal has gone live, the annual fee is rising for the first time in 11 years, and the regulator has opened the door to the biggest rewrite of the professional Code since it was last published. Add ongoing OSCE and CBT updates into the mix, and it’s easy to see why staying current on NMC registration is now essential — not optional — for anyone planning a nursing career in the UK.
This guide breaks down every major NMC change in 2026, what it means for your registration journey, and how a specialist training partner like Fortuwest International can help you navigate it with confidence.
What Is NMC Registration?
The NMC is the professional regulator for nurses, midwives, and nursing associates in the UK. To legally practise as a nurse in the UK, every candidate — UK-trained or internationally educated — must hold an active NMC PIN. For overseas nurses, this means completing NMC’s Test of Competence: a Computer-Based Test (CBT) taken in your home country, followed by the practical Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), which is held at approved test centres in the UK.
Key NMC Registration Updates in 2026
1. MyNMC Has Replaced NMC Online
On 10 February 2026, the NMC retired its long-standing NMC Online platform and launched MyNMC, a redesigned portal covering registration, revalidation, and employer checks. The old system was taken offline from 6 February until midday on 10 February while records were migrated across, and every registrant now has to sign in using multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added account security. (My Nurses Life)
What this means for you: if you’re partway through an application, budget extra time to get familiar with the new portal, set up MFA on your device, and double-check that any saved progress carried over correctly.
2. The Annual Registration Fee Is Rising
For the first time in 11 years, the NMC is increasing its annual registration fee — from £120 to £143 — effective 1 October 2026. (Sessional Blog) The decision followed a 12-week public consultation that ran from 3 November 2025 to 26 January 2026 and drew over 40,000 responses, the majority of whom opposed the increase on cost-of-living grounds. Despite that pushback, the NMC’s governing Council approved the rise on 28 April 2026. (Nursing Times) The regulator has pointed to a growing register — up from roughly 686,782 professionals in 2015 to 853,707 in 2025 — as one reason costs have increased. (NMC)
Fees for international qualification assessments and additional-qualification registrations are also going up alongside the main annual fee.
3. A Major Refresh of the NMC Code Is Coming
The NMC is preparing to consult on the most significant update to its professional Code in years, with a formal public consultation expected to run from September to December 2026. Early proposals include strengthened requirements around equity, diversity, and inclusion, and stronger expectations for registrants to challenge racism in practice. (Nursing Times) Under the current timeline, the new Code isn’t expected to go live until October 2027, with revalidation process changes phased in from April 2028 — so there’s no immediate impact on your current revalidation cycle.
4. Fitness to Practise Rules Are Being Reformed
Updated fitness to practise rules are expected to come into force from October 2026, once they’ve cleared the Privy Council and Parliament. Day-to-day requirements — practice hours, CPD, reflective accounts, indemnity insurance, and confirmer sign-off — remain unchanged, still following the same eight-part revalidation framework on a three-year cycle. (Sessional Blog)
5. CBT Test Centre Scrutiny Continues
Internationally educated candidates should also be aware of ongoing scrutiny around CBT test centre integrity. Pearson VUE, which administers the CBT on the NMC’s behalf, previously flagged anomalous data at a third-party test centre in Ibadan, Nigeria, leading to a suspension of testing there. (Fortuwest International) Candidates should always book through officially listed Pearson VUE centres and verify centre status before booking.
6. The OSCE Continues to Evolve
The NMC periodically reviews and updates the OSCE to keep it aligned with current NHS practice and patient safety standards. Recent changes place greater emphasis on candidates being able to explain the clinical reasoning behind their actions, not just perform procedures correctly. (Fortuwest International) Preparation now needs to cover communication, decision-making, and person-centred care alongside core clinical skills across Adult, Mental Health, and Paediatric fields.
The NMC Registration Process for International Nurses: A Quick Recap
- Check eligibility — confirm your nursing qualification and experience meet NMC criteria.
- Prepare documentation — transcripts, proof of qualification, and identity verification.
- Meet English language requirements — via IELTS or OET.
- Pass the CBT — the computer-based theory test, taken in your home country.
- Pass the OSCE — the practical clinical exam, taken at a UK test centre.
- Receive your NMC PIN — your official licence to practise as a registered nurse in the UK.
Each stage has its own document checklist, timeline, and common pitfalls, which is why most candidates benefit from structured, expert-led preparation rather than navigating the process alone.
How Fortuwest International Supports Your NMC Registration Journey
Navigating a regulatory framework that’s actively changing — new portal, new fees, an evolving OSCE, and a Code rewrite on the horizon — is a lot to manage on top of preparing for high-stakes exams. This is where Fortuwest International comes in.
Recognised as one of the leading OSCE training institutes in the UK, Fortuwest International specialises in guiding internationally trained nurses through every stage of the NMC registration journey, including:
- CBT and OSCE preparation — structured, exam-focused coaching for Adult, Mental Health, and Paediatric nursing candidates, updated to reflect the latest NMC OSCE changes. (Fortuwest International)
- English language test coaching — OET and IELTS preparation tailored to healthcare contexts.
- Document and eligibility guidance — mentors who walk candidates through NMC eligibility criteria and paperwork step by step. (Fortuwest International)
- A free NMC WhatsApp support community — a peer-to-peer group where candidates share real-time tips and get guidance from Fortuwest’s consultants alongside fellow nurses preparing for the same exams. (Fortuwest International)
- End-to-end settlement support — including food and accommodation assistance, travel support, and career placement once you’ve secured your NMC PIN. (Fortuwest International)
- Fast-track visitor visa pathways — including a specialised OSCE Visitor Route programme for candidates who want to complete their OSCE in the UK and arrive with their NMC PIN already secured, strengthening their position with NHS and private-sector recruiters. (Fortuwest International)
Beyond the UK, Fortuwest International also supports nurses pursuing registration in Australia and New Zealand, making it a genuinely global partner for nurses exploring international careers. (Fortuwest International)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to do anything differently because of the MyNMC switch? Existing applications carried over during migration, but you’ll need to set up multi-factor authentication and get familiar with the new portal layout before your next login.
Does the fee increase affect nurses currently registered? Yes — the new £143 annual fee applies to all registrants from 1 October 2026, replacing the previous £120 fee.
Will the Code changes affect my current revalidation? Not immediately. The new Code isn’t expected to be published until October 2027, with revalidation changes phasing in from April 2028.
What hasn’t changed in 2026? Core revalidation requirements — practice hours, CPD, reflective accounts, indemnity insurance, and the three-year cycle — remain the same for now.
Where can I get help preparing for the CBT and OSCE? Specialist training providers such as Fortuwest International offer structured CBT and OSCE preparation, English test coaching, and end-to-end support through to NMC PIN issuance and UK job placement.
Final Thoughts
2026 marks a genuine turning point for NMC registration — a new digital system, a fee rise, and the groundwork for the most significant Code update in years. For internationally trained nurses, staying informed isn’t just helpful, it’s essential to avoiding delays. Partnering with an experienced guide like Fortuwest International can make the difference between a stressful registration process and a confident, well-prepared journey to your NMC PIN and a nursing career in the UK.
Ready to start your NMC registration journey? Get in touch with Fortuwest International for OSCE, CBT, and English test preparation tailored to the latest NMC requirements.
