NMC to increase number of OSCE test providers

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has today announced that it has awarded contracts to five partners to deliver the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) part of the Test of Competence (ToC) from February 2022 onwards.

The ToC enables professionals trained overseas and those returning to practice after significant time away to demonstrate that they have the skills and knowledge to care for people safely and effectively.

In addition to renewing contracts with current OSCE test sites – Oxford Brookes University, the University of Northampton and Ulster University – the NMC has awarded contracts to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Northumbria University. This follows a competitive and open bidding process across all four countries of the UK.

Further information on how to book your test at the new sites will be shared in due course.

Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Executive and Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said:

"I’m delighted that we’ve been able to significantly increase our OSCE test centre provision.

"This additional capacity will mean professionals with the right skills and knowledge will have more choice in where to take their test, enabling them to join our register quickly and safely.

"I look forward to working closely with our test centre partners as we get our new test centres up and running in the coming months.

"The NMC will be able to work with its test centre partners to explore innovative ways of offering the Test of Competence to extend accessibility and availability across the UK.”

Notes to editors

The NMC uses the Test of Competence (ToC) to assess the skills and knowledge of people applying to join our register from overseas or rejoin our register after a long period away from practice. Each Test of Competence is split into two parts – a multiple-choice computer based test known as the CBT, and a practical test known as the OSCE.

Further information about the Test of Competence and the OSCE can be found on our website.

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