This is a guide on how to register as a nurse in Kenya. Nursing Council of Kenya is the statutory body and the only professional regulatory body for all cadres of nursing and midwives in Kenya. The Nursing Council of Kenya is mandated to ensure the delivery of safe and effective nursing and midwifery care to the public, through quality education and best practices.
Nurses wishing to practise in Kenya must be registered and licensed with the Nursing Council of Kenya. The nurses will be required to pass the council’s national licensure examination. Successful candidates are then required to submit an online application for registration and licensing. Successful nurses and midwives will receive a registration/license certificate within a period of 72 hours and 4 weeks respectively.
Registration Requirements For Nurses Trained Outside Kenya)
- Applicants are required to show that they have attained the required competency by Kenyan standards.
- The Nursing Council will verify the nurses/midwives’ qualifications ‘with the relevant training school and board from the respective country.
- Successful applicants will sit for licensure examination and upon passing, will undergo clinical placement for a period of 24 weeks.
- You will be invited by the council’s registration and licensing committee for an oral interview, if the council is satisfied.
- Based on the results of the oral interview, you may be required to sit for a written exam or proceed for final clinical placement to acquaint yourself with the Kenyan health care system. Upon successful completion of the clinical placement, you will be eligible for registration.
Registration Requirements For Nurses/Midwives Trained In Kenya
- Result slips, online application and payments for registration and licensure
- KRCHN to BScN graduates shall do a direct application for registration and don’t require to go for an internship.
- RN/M to BScN graduates proceed for 15 weeks of self-sponsored internship in community health nursing.
- RN to BScN graduates proceed for 27 weeks of self-sponsored internship in midwifery and community health nursing.
- Basic BSCN must complete one year internship.
- Internship should be completed before registration, subject to passing NCK licensure exam.
Registration Process
1. Go to the Nursing Council Of Kenya website www.nckenya.com.
2. Go to the online service portal then log in or create an account if you don’t have one.
3. Select category, student/practitioner
4. Enter your ID number, email, registration or index number if you are a student.
5. Enter your personal details and save the correctly filled details.
6. Click on registration and licensing tab.
7. Click on application for practice license.
8. Fill all the relevant details required than upload your documents (academic and professional) then click on next.
9. Choose your examination centre then make the payment required as will be shown on the screen.
10. Enter your transaction number after making your payment. This will be shown on the tab.
11. Submit your application then proceed to print the application notification.
The license is usually ready for collection after about 30 days. You will be notified via email once the application is successful. You will then be required to collect the registration certificate from the council’s offices in person.
Nursing Council Of Kenya Contacts
Head Office
Location: NCK Plaza, Kabarnet Road, Off Ngong Road
P.O Box 20056- 00200, Nairobi
Contacts: 0721 920 567, 0733 924 669
Email: info@nckenya.org
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