To register as a Registered Nurse (RN) in New Zealand if you’re trained outside Australia or New Zealand, you must apply through the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) under the Overseas Registration pathway.
If you are a Midwife trained outside NZ/Australia, you must apply through the Midwifery Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) via their internationally qualified midwives pathway. Please check our page here for details:
Registered Nurse (RN) – Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ)
1. About the NCNZ
The Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) is the statutory authority responsible for the registration, regulation, and competence assurance of nurses in New Zealand.
2. Step-by-Step Registration Process
Step 1: Verifying documents with TruMerit (CGFNS)
All nurses are required to provide documents proving their:
- identity
- current registration/s held in the last 10 years
- nursing qualification equivalent to NZ qualifications
- evidence of English language proficiency
- 1,800 hours post-registration nursing experience
You must verify and authenticate your documents first with TruMerit (CGFNS) before applying to the Council to register.
- Register with CGFNS at: https://www.cgfns.org/
- Once completed, CGFNS will send your report directly to NCNZ
Step 2: Apply to become registered
Apply to the Nursing Council AFTER your documents are verified & complete the following:
1. Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand online courses
All nurses must complete two free online courses introducing you to culturally safe nursing practice in New Zealand.
2. Fitness to practise checks
All nurses are required to undergo a criminal history check.
3. Competence assessment
Some nurses will be required to undergo a competence assessment.
- Check here self-assessment tool to see if you might require a competence assessment.
- If you need a competence assessment, find out what that means here
You cannot apply directly to the Council as TruMerit (CGFNS) must first verify your documents.
Documents to be verified by TruMerit (CGFNS), including:
Identity
You must be able to prove that you are who you say you are.
To prove your identity, you must provide notarised/certified colour copies of your current passport and one other form of identity document directly to TruMerit (CGFNS) to verify your current name (with no abbreviations).
Acceptable forms of photo identification (ID) are:
- Passports (required).
- Driver’s License(s).
- Other government-issued photo identification.
To be acceptable, all photo IDs are required to include a clear photo.
Other acceptable forms of identification include:
- Birth certificates.
- Marriage certificates.
- Divorce certificates.
- Legal name change affidavits.
Documents to support a change in name
If you have changed your name/s, you must provide notarised/certified copies of any names that appear on any of the documents required to support your application for registration with the Nursing Council.
All identity documents provided in support of the application for registration must be current at the date of application to TruMerit (CGFNS).
English Language Requirements
The most common way to provide evidence of your English language competence is to pass a Nursing Council-approved English language test. These are only the Occupational English Test (OET) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic.
| Test | Minimum Scores |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | a minimum score of 7 for reading, listening, and speaking; and a minimum score of 6.5 for writing |
| OET (Nursing) | a minimum score of 350 for reading, listening, and speaking; and a minimum score of 300 for writing. |
You can achieve the minimum score in the English language tests over more than one sitting, however, the required scores must be achieved within 12 months of first sitting the test and all sittings must be completed within the three years prior to your application to NCNZ.
Please note that the Nursing Council of New Zealand does not currently accept online computer-based tests. However, computer-based tests administered in an approved testing centre are accepted (this includes the OET on computer at an approved venue with the speaking sub-test that is hosted online).
We do not accept PTE.
English language evidence pathways
Some nurses educated or registered in certain countries can provide evidence of English language competence through their education or registration pathways. Eligibility for these pathways is at the discretion of the Council, but you will always be eligible for the above test-based pathway.
Full information on our English language policy and requirements is available in the guidance document below.
English Language Competence Policy Guidance
You may be invited to apply for an alternate English language evidence pathway by TruMerit (CGFNS) if your TruMerit (CGFNS) application appears to meet one or more of the following criteria:
Nursing Qualification
Your education that led to registration as a nurse was taught and examined in English in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Ireland, Canada, or the United States of America.
The Council may require you to provide evidence that you completed your nursing education in English, for example, a transcript from your education provider.
OR
Nursing Registration
You have current nursing registration in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, or the United States of America that required you to pass an English language test.
The Council may require you to provide evidence of this.
English language evidence pathways are at the discretion of the Nursing Council
Each application for an alternate English language evidence pathway is assessed on an individual basis and will only be granted at the sole discretion of the Council. Additional evidence to support your application may be requested by the Council. Please note that assessing an application for an alternate English language evidence pathway may extend assessment timeframes. If your application is declined, you will be required to demonstrate language proficiency through an approved English language test.
Current registration
To apply to be registered in New Zealand, you must currently be registered overseas as a nurse with a registration authority.
The Council will require information from overseas authorities where you have been registered and practised in the last 10 years.
Nursing qualifications
The Nursing Council requires overseas nurses applying to register in New Zealand to have academic qualifications that are equivalent to New Zealand nursing qualifications.
As an Enrolled Nurse, you must have a Diploma in Enrolled Nursing or a comparable qualification to apply to become registered.
If you are a Registered Nurse, you will need a Bachelor of Nursing degree (or the equivalent) or a Master’s degree in nursing that led to your registration.
The Council may require additional information from you to assess how your diploma or degree/s compare against nursing qualifications in New Zealand.
Post-registration experience
You must provide a declaration to TruMerit (CGFNS) that you have practised nursing for at least 1,800 hours.
It is important that you apply to TruMerit (CGFNS) after you have achieved the required 1,800 practice hours.
If you apply to TruMerit (CGFNS) with less than the required 1,800 practice hours, your application to the Nursing Council will be delayed and further verified information will be required from you to support your application.
The Council may also require further information from you about your practice hours if they have not been in the last 10 years.
*If you have no post-registration experience at all, you are not eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing Council.
Competent to practise
You must be able to demonstrate that you are competent to practise in New Zealand.
The Council may require a nurse, who is registered overseas, to complete a competence assessment before we can grant New Zealand registration.
If your Nursing education that led to your registration was completed in one of the following: UK, Ireland, Ontario, British Columbia, Singapore or the USA your application will be assessed by the Council and you may not be required to undertake the below examinations.
We will advise you if you need to do this after we assess your application.
1. Theoretical and clinical exam process
From 4 December 2023, an internationally qualified nurse who applies to NCNZ to become a Registered Nurse and who is required to undertake an assessment of competence, will need to successfully complete the following:
- an online theoretical exam that tests nursing knowledge, taken at an accredited exam centre overseas or in New Zealand.
and
- a two-day orientation and preparation course followed by a three-hour clinical examination known as an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). These will take place in person in New Zealand at an accredited centre.
2. Competence Assessment Programmes (CAPs)
An internationally qualified nurse who has applied to NCNZ before 4 December 2023, and is required to undertake an assessment of competence, will need to successfully complete a Competence Assessment Programme (CAP).
The CAP prepares overseas nurses for the nursing role and healthcare context of New Zealand, which is different to many other countries.
CAPs are generally six to twelve weeks long and include theory and clinical components.
You can find out more about Competence Assessment Programmes here.
There will be a transition phase where we have both the CAPs and the examination process running at the same time throughout 2024 and into 2025.
Enrolled Nurses
Enrolled Nurses can continue to apply to become registered and, if directed to, will undertake a competence assessment programme (CAP).
Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand Programme
This online programme currently consists of two free online courses which you must complete to become registered.
The courses provide an introduction to culturally safe nursing practice in New Zealand and to Te Tiriti o Waitangi:
- Ngā Paerewa Te Tiriti Module 1
and
- Foundations in cultural competence.
You’re not required to do Ngā Paerewa Te Tiriti Module 2.
Course information and how to apply
1. Ngā Paerewa Te Tiriti Module 1
This course includes:
- An introduction to Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Service
- An introduction to the articles and principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how they apply to Ngā Paerewa
- An explanation of equity, cultural safety and Te Ao Māori
- An Introduction to Pae Ora Healthy Futures
- An explanation of how Ngā Paerewa fits into Pae Ora
2. Foundations in Cultural Competence
This course includes:
- What is Culture?
- NZ History and Legislation
- Making a difference to all patients
- Health literacy
How to access the courses:
Visit learnonline.health.nz
- Create a profile
- Log into your account
- Search for and enrol in:
- Ngā Paerewa Te Tiriti Module 1
- Foundations in Cultural Competence
When you’ve completed the courses:
You are encouraged to complete the two online courses as soon as possible to avoid any delays in your registration.
When you have successfully completed the short quiz at the end of each course, you will receive a certificate of completion. Both certificates must be provided to the Nursing Council via the MyIQN portal.
You can supply the completed certificates via the progress/communication tab on your MyIQN portal.
Troubleshooting:
- If you have not received a registration email or a reset password email, check your email junk/spam folder
- For lost or forgotten username and/or password, please follow the prompts on the login screen.
- If you are unable to find the courses, please copy and paste the title of each course (Ngā Paerewa Module 1 and Foundations in Cultural Competence) into the search function of learnonline
- For technical queries, please log tickets by emailing: [email protected]
Fitness to practise - international criminal history check
You must be able to show you are of good standing to practise nursing in New Zealand.
You will be required to undergo a criminal history check that will cover all countries you have lived in for 12 months or more within the last seven years.
The check will be done at your cost by Fit2Work, an external agency that is the designated provider of these checks.
If you have lived in New Zealand for six months or more, you are required to complete a criminal history check through the Ministry of Justice (MOJ).
The check will only be asked for once you are invited to apply to register, via MyIQN.
Statutory Declarations
Please note there is a requirement to complete legal statutory declarations within your application. These declarations must be completed by yourself, the IQN applicant. They cannot be completed by an agent or third party. If a statutory declaration is completed by an agent or third party, your application will be unable to be processed.
Use an agent or third party
If you are intending to use an agent or third party to assist with your application for registration, please advise us of this and the details of the agent or third party. Please also provide the separate personal contact details of you, the IQN applicant.
There is a form for you to complete here which confirms the authority of the agent or third party to act on your behalf and their details. If applicable, email the completed form to [email protected]. Please advise us if you do withdraw from using an agent or third party.
Timeframe for assessment
- The Nursing Council is experiencing high volumes of applications from internationally qualified nurses. The length of time it takes to process these varies depending, for example, on whether a competence assessment or further documents are needed or whether all the requirements are met.
- The current timeframe for assessment of your application is at least five months from the date that you first submit it to the Council.
- This timing is separate from, and does not include, the time TruMerit (CGFNS) takes to verify your documents.
- From 1 October 2024, applicants have 12 months upon receipt of the invitation email to apply and complete the application process. This includes providing any additional information that may be requested. If the assessment of your application is not completed within the 12-month time frame, your application will close.
Registration costs
The Nursing Council fee to process your application is $485 (NZ)
There are additional costs from external providers:
Verifying and authenticating documents with TruMerit (CGFNS) – Their fee currently is $380 (US)
All nurses are required by the Council to have their documents verified and authenticated by TruMerit (CGFNS), an external company. You must do this before you can apply for registration to the Nursing Council. You can find out more about the verification process here.
International criminal history check – Their fee (per country) currently is $159 (AUS)
All nurses are required by the Council to complete a criminal history check:
- If you have lived in New Zealand for more than 6 months, you apply to the NZ Ministry of Justice for a check here.
- For an international criminal history check, you must apply to Fit2Work which has been accredited by the Nursing Council. You can find out more here.
Competence assessment examination
Some internationally qualified nurses will be required to undergo a competence assessment to become registered. This is in two parts and you need to complete both. The costs are as follows:
1. IQN theoretical examination – Pearson VUE
Costs are quoted in New Zealand dollars but are payable in the currency of the country in which you are sitting the examination.
| Examination:
Part A: Medication Safety and |
$ 140 NZ |
| Re-sit of Part A: Medication Safety |
$ 32 NZ
|
| Re-sit of Part B: Nursing Knowledge |
$ 108 NZ
|
2. Clinical competence assessment – Nurse Maude Simulation and Assessment Centre
| Orientation & preparation course | $ 500 NZ |
| OSCE – clinical examination | $ 3,000 NZ |
| Resit of OSCE | $ 3,000 NZ |
There may be additional related costs from external providers, such as translation of original documents into English.
Enrolled nurses
The Council is developing a dedicated pathway to registration for enrolled nurses. Until that is in place, ENs follow the same process to get their documents verified and apply to be registered and then the Council will let you know what is needed next.
Employment in NZ
The Council has no role in the recruitment or employment of internationally qualified nurses.
In recent times New Zealand has employed a large number of internationally qualified nurses so demand is currently lower than previously, except in some particular areas of speciality or experience (e.g. mental health and addiction). You are encouraged to explore employment opportunities prior to applying for registration or coming to New Zealand.
If you have confirmed employment as a nurse in New Zealand and that means a written offer from an employer, not a verbal offer, and are waiting for your registration to be processed, please email [email protected].
Link to apply
If you have read the requirements and want to apply to TruMerit (CGFNS)
Check application
If you would like to check your application, log into MyIQN here.
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