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Applying with overseas registration

Competence assessment process

The Nursing Council will require some internationally qualified nurses to successfully complete a competence assessment.

You will be asked to complete either the registered nurse or the enrolled nurse competence assessment, depending on the scope of practice you are applying to register in.

Both competence assessments include the following:

1. Theoretical examination

This is an online multiple-choice examination that tests nursing knowledge at the level of a New Zealand-registered nurse or enrolled nurse. It can be taken at designated Pearson VUE test centres overseas or in New Zealand.

  • This examination is in two parts:
    • Part A: Medication safety and
    • Part B: Nursing knowledge
  • You can have three attempts to successfully complete parts A and B of the examination. On your first attempt, you must complete both parts A and B.
  • If you fail one part of the exam, you are only required to re-sit that part.

2. Clinical competence

The clinical competence assessment includes:

  1. a two-day orientation and preparation course and
  2. an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).

Both the orientation and preparation course, and the clinical examination must be taken in person by the nurse applying for registration, at the Nurse Maude Simulation & Assessment Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The orientation and preparation course develops awareness of specific characteristics of nursing practice in New Zealand and builds on content introduced in the preliminary online theoretical examination.

The clinical examination assesses the application of your clinical knowledge and skills in practice to ensure you can provide safe, competent care as a nurse in New Zealand.

  • Registered nurse candidates must complete 10 OSCE stations.
  • Enrolled nurse candidates must complete 8 OSCE stations.

Twelve minutes are allocated per station with two minutes for reading the instructions, eight minutes to complete each scenario, and two minutes for movement between stations (2+8+2 minutes per station).

If you do not pass the OSCE, you can take the exam again. You may take it up to three times in total. Find out what to do if you do not pass.