NMC welcomes call for evidence to support protection of 'nurse' title
Published on 30 July 2026
The Nursing and Midwifery (NMC) has welcomed the Government’s call for evidence on the professions and roles which will in future be allowed to describe themselves as 'nurses'.
The NMC has long called for the title of ‘nurse’ to be protected in law.
This will be achieved through long-awaited changes to modernise the regulator’s legislation.
Emma Westcott, Executive Director of Strategy and Insight at the NMC, said:
"The public should always feel confident that the people providing their care have the right knowledge, skills and qualifications. The NMC has long supported protecting the title 'nurse' by law, and we welcome the Government's call for evidence as an important step towards achieving this.
"Protecting the title will help prevent its misuse, giving the public assurance that anyone calling themselves a nurse meets the high professional standards expected of the profession. We look forward to working with the Government on the modernisation of our legislation, which will enable this important change in law.
"In the meantime, it remains an offence for someone intending to deceive to falsely represent themselves as a registered nurse, or to use the title ‘registered nurse' if they are not on our Register."
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