OSCE
Observed Structured Clinical Examination
ADMISSION STARTED
Internationally Qualified Nurses
You may apply to become registered as a nurse in New Zealand if you are currently registered with an overseas regulatory authority and meet Nursing Council requirements.
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 CGFNS before applying to the Council to register.
Apply to the Nursing Council AFTER your documents are verified & complete the following:
- 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.
- Fitness to practise checks
All nurses are required to undergo a criminal history check.
- Competence assessment
Some nurses will be required to undergo a competence assessment.
- Find out if you might require a competence assessment here.
- If you need a competence assessment, find out what that means
You cannot apply directly to the Council as CGFNS must first verify your documents.
Registration Costs
The Nursing Council fee to process your application is$485 (NZ)
There are additional costs from external providers:
1. Verifying and authenticating documents with CGFNS
All nurses are required by the Council to have their documents verified and authenticated by CGFNS, an external company. You must do this before you can apply for registration to the Nursing Council.
Their fee currently is$300 (US)
2. International criminal history check
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.
Their fee (per country) currently is $159 (AUS)
3. 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.
IQN theoretical examination
Costs are quoted in New Zealand dollars but are payable in the currency of the country in which you are sitting the examination.
Clinical competence assessment
Nurse Maude Simulation Centre