Nursing Council introduces new requirements for internationally qualified enrolled nurses

The Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) is implementing changes to requirements for internationally qualified enrolled nurses (IQENs).

The changes will be implemented from the 1 September 2025. IQENs who apply to NCNZ from that date:

• must have completed 1800 hours post-registration, working as a nurse.

All internationally qualified nurses who apply to NCNZ from that date will need to successfully complete the following to register in the enrolled nurse scope of practice:

• 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 clinical examination known as an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). The OSCE takes three hours and tests a nurse’s clinical skills. These will take place in person in New Zealand at an accredited centre.

IQENs who have already applied to the Council and have been asked to undertake a Competence Assessment Programme (CAP) prior to registration as an enrolled nurse will be given the option to transition to the new competence examination processes.

Nurses with a current Australian practising certificate undergo a separate process to register.

You can find more information on the Registration for International Nurses website page.