UK NMC OSCE for Filipino Nurses: Registration Process and Test Centres
By Muntasir • Published Aug 03, 2026 • Updated Aug 08, 2026 • Fields of Study
Filipino nurses need to pass the NMC Test of Competence, a Computer-Based Test taken anywhere plus an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) taken at an approved UK test centre, before they register with the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council. As of August 2026, the NMC runs OSCE sittings at three UK centres: University of Northampton, Ulster University, and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
💵 The OSCE has 10 clinical stations and costs £794, with a £397 reduced fee for resitting 7 or fewer stations.
⏱️ You get up to 3 OSCE attempts, with at least 10 days between sittings.
IELTS Academic needs at least 6.5 in speaking, listening and reading, and 6.0 in writing. OET needs at least grade B in speaking, listening and reading, and C+ in writing.
📩 Bring original documents, including police clearance for every country you lived in 12 months or longer over the last 10 years, to your ID check on OSCE day.
Most Filipino nurses need a UK employer's Skilled Worker sponsorship to fund travel and OSCE fees.
The two-part Test of Competence
The NMC requires internationally trained nurses to pass a Test of Competence (ToC) before joining the UK register. Part one is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) of nursing knowledge, open to candidates anywhere in the world. Part two is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), a practical exam you sit at an NMC-approved test centre inside the UK, according to the NMC's official OSCE page . Complete the CBT and OSCE in either order, but both need a pass before the NMC issues a UK nursing pin.
Where to sit the OSCE
The NMC operates OSCE test centres in the UK only, so secure Skilled Worker sponsorship or plan a trip before booking. As of August 2026, three centres run active sittings: the University of Northampton, Ulster University, and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The Oxford Brookes University centre closed on 31 July 2026 and the Northumbria University centre closed on 19 February 2026, so confirm centre availability directly with the NMC before you set travel dates, since locations shift.
What the OSCE covers and costs
The OSCE tests clinical and communication skills across 10 stations covering patient scenarios, practical skills, professional values, and evidence-based practice. A full OSCE attempt costs £794. If you fail only some stations, a reduced resit fee of £397 covers resitting 7 or fewer stations. You get up to 3 attempts at the OSCE, with a minimum 10-day gap between sittings, and results arrive by email within 5 working days.
English language requirements
Meet the NMC's English language requirement with IELTS Academic or OET before your application proceeds. For IELTS Academic, the NMC requires at least 6.5 in speaking, listening and reading, and at least 6.0 in writing. For OET, the NMC requires at least grade B in speaking, listening and reading, and at least grade C+ in writing. Combine scores from two sittings of the same test taken within 12 months of each other if needed, keeping both results within their 2-year validity window when the NMC assesses your file, per the Royal College of Nursing's immigration advice guidance .
ID check on OSCE day
The NMC runs your identity check on the day of your first OSCE attempt, with no separate appointment needed. Bring original documents: a valid passport, your diploma or qualification certificate, and a national police clearance certificate for every country where you lived 12 months or longer over the past 10 years. Non-English documents need certified translations attached. Submitting anything less than originals means booking a separate ID check appointment at your own cost, per the NMC's Test of Competence overseas route page .
Registering as a Filipino nurse
The NMC assesses your Bachelor of Science in Nursing and PRC nursing license as part of your application file before you become eligible to book the CBT and OSCE. Most Filipino nurses secure a job offer from a UK employer, typically an NHS trust, that sponsors a Skilled Worker visa and often reimburses OSCE fees, prep courses, and study leave as part of the recruitment package. Confirm sponsorship and visa timing with your employer before booking OSCE travel, since the OSCE only runs in the UK and you need valid immigration permission to enter for the exam.
Typical timeline
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| English test | Pass IELTS Academic or OET at the required grade |
| CBT | Pass the computer-based knowledge test, available worldwide |
| Document verification | NMC checks your BSN and PRC license against UK standards |
| Travel to the UK | Usually tied to your Skilled Worker visa and employer start date |
| OSCE and ID check | Sit the practical exam and identity check on the same day at an approved centre |
The full pathway from starting your English test to receiving your NMC pin commonly runs several months to over a year, depending on how quickly you secure sponsorship and book test slots. Start your English test and CBT preparation while still in the Philippines, since neither requires UK travel.