The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has recently announced significant updates to the guidelines and requirements for nurses and midwives seeking verification of their certificates for registration with foreign nursing boards. This comprehensive revision aims to streamline the process, ensuring that applicants are well-informed and prepared for a successful verification procedure.
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Key Steps for Initiating Verification
Online Application Portal
- To begin the process, applicants are required to visit https://licence.nmcn.gov.ng/ and log in. The verification application can be initiated by clicking on the designated link provided on the portal.
Non-refundable Application Fee
- A non-refundable fee is mandatory for each verification application. This fee covers courier services to the applicant’s training institutions, places of work, and the respective foreign nursing board.
Eligibility Criteria
The NMCN has outlined specific eligibility criteria to ensure that only qualified candidates proceed with the verification process:
- Post-Qualification Experience: Applicants must possess a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience, counting from the date of issuance of their permanent practicing licence. Applications accompanied by provisional licences will be immediately disqualified.
- Letter of Good Standing: The Council will directly request this letter from the CEO of the applicant’s current or most recent place of work and the last nursing training institution attended. Importantly, applicants cannot submit these letters themselves; they must be sent directly to the Registrar/CEO of the NMCN.
- Active Practising Licence: Applicants must hold an active practising licence, with at least six months remaining until its expiration date.
- Certificate of Registration: Only the Certificate(s) of Registration will be accepted. Notifications of Registration are deemed unacceptable.
Application Outcome and Timeline
- Applicants will receive timely notifications regarding the status of their verification applications via email and their dashboard on the NMCN portal.
Important Considerations
- Processing Time: The processing of a verification application will take a minimum of six months.
- Complete Documentation: It is crucial that all documentation is complete and accurately submitted. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
- Implementation Date: The revised guidelines will be implemented starting 1st March 2024. Applications submitted prior to this date will be processed under the previous guidelines.
- Responsibility of Nursing Institutions: Heads of nursing institutions are tasked with disseminating this information to ensure that nurses are aware of the new procedures.
Conclusion
The NMCN’s updated verification guidelines are a pivotal step towards aligning Nigerian nursing education and practice with international standards. By adhering to these revised procedures, nurses and midwives aspiring to practise abroad can navigate the verification process more efficiently. The NMCN encourages all applicants to thoroughly review and comply with these requirements to facilitate a smooth verification process. Your cooperation is pivotal in promoting and maintaining the excellence of nursing education and practice on a global scale.
