How to Become a RN in the UK and What You Can Earn

If you’re an internationally trained nurse aiming to work in the UK, understanding the registration process and salary expectations is essential.

At OET Bank, we support healthcare professionals preparing for overseas careers with practical, exam-focused resources designed for real clinical communication.

How to Become a Nurse in the UK

To get straight to the point, if you are already a qualified nurse overseas and want to work as a registered nurse in the UK, the process generally follows these steps:

Obtain an English language qualification
Submit documents to the NMC
Take the CBT (knowledge-based assessment)
Job search, visa application, and relocation to the UK
Take the OSCE (practical skills assessment)

In short, you need to pass three assessments — English, CBT, and OSCE — and demonstrate eligibility to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Let’s look at each step in more detail.

Step 1. Obtain an English Language Qualification

The first requirement is proof of English proficiency.

To register with the NMC, you must meet the required score in either IELTS or OET, which will be explained in detail later in this article.

Step 2. Submit Documents to the NMC

Once you have obtained IELTS or OET, you can submit your application documents to the NMC.

Required documents include:

Proof of identity
Graduation certificate
Nursing license
Health declaration
Character reference and declarations
English language test results

Reference: pre-application checklist

Step 3. Take the CBT

The next step is the CBT (Computer Based Test).

The CBT assesses whether you have sufficient nursing knowledge to practice safely in the UK. Most of the content is based on fundamental nursing knowledge you already have.

It is a computer-based multiple-choice exam (four options per question), consisting of 115 questions (including 15 numeracy questions) and takes approximately 3 hours.
The CBT can be taken outside the UK.

For preparation, you should review the officially recommended NMC textbooks. Several questions from the end-of-chapter exercises often appear in the actual exam.

In addition, a private company, British Medical Journal, offers CBT practice question banks. If you feel unsure, these can be helpful.

Medication-related content may feel unfamiliar to many internationally trained nurses, so make sure to study this area carefully.

Step 4. Job Search and Visa Application

Next comes finding a nursing job in the UK and applying for a work visa.

While it is technically possible to complete OSCE first and then look for a job, failing the OSCE would require you to leave the UK.
For this reason, many nurses choose to secure a job and visa after passing the CBT but before taking the OSCE.

This approach allows you to obtain a work visa while still overseas, which is a major advantage.

Preparing for the OSCE while working full-time can be challenging, but being in the UK means you do not have to return home if you fail an attempt.

One important point: not all employers can sponsor a work visa.
You must receive a job offer from a hospital or organization that holds a sponsorship license.

After receiving an offer, your employer will issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which you will use to apply for your work visa.

Job searching can take anywhere from one month to six months, depending largely on timing and availability.

Many internationally trained nurses apply from overseas, and interviews are typically conducted via Skype or Zoom.

Step 5. Take the OSCE

The final assessment is the OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination), commonly pronounced “OS-KEY.”

The OSCE evaluates whether you can perform clinical nursing tasks in English in real-life scenarios.

You must travel to the UK to take the OSCE. You are allowed up to three attempts.
Currently, the exam is offered at five universities, and the exam fee is £794.

The OSCE consists of 10 stations:

4 stations covering admission to discharge scenarios
4 skills-based stations
2 stations assessing values, behaviors, and evidence-based practice

The key to passing is completing all required tasks within the allocated time, which is very similar to OET Speaking.

During preparation, pay close attention to how much you can communicate clearly within the time limit.

For preparation, YouTube is an excellent resource.
In particular, Gilbert Martis, an OSCE specialist, shares high-quality guidance and strategies.

After passing the OSCE, you must pay the NMC registration fee.
You will then receive your registration confirmation and PIN (registration number) within 35 days.
Without a PIN, you cannot work as a nurse in the UK.

Nurse Salary in the UK

Finally, let’s look at salary.

As of 2025, the average annual salary for registered nurses in the UK is approximately £37,000–£42,000.

This equals a monthly income of around £3,000–£3,500.

Keep in mind that salary varies significantly depending on experience and location.

For detailed pay scales, see the following reference:

Reference: What is the Average Nurse Salary in the UK?

Summary

Key takeaways from this article:

The first step is proving English proficiency
OET is particularly well-suited for nurses
Expected annual salary is approximately ¥5.5–6.4 million

This concludes our overview of how to become a registered nurse in the UK and what you can expect to earn.

If you are unsure whether to prepare for IELTS or OET, the following article may help:

Reference: IELTS 7.0 vs OET 350

English Requirements: IELTS or OET

To work as a nurse in the UK, proof of English proficiency is essential.

As of 13 January 2023, you must meet one of the following requirements:

Option 1: IELTS

Listening 7.0
Reading 7.0
Writing 6.5
Speaking 7.0

Option 2: OET

Listening 350
Reading 350
Writing 300
Speaking 350

Reference: English language skills

OET is specifically designed for healthcare professionals and reflects real clinical communication.
For nurses, existing medical knowledge helps compensate for language gaps, and OET preparation directly supports workplace communication.

IELTS, on the other hand, focuses on academic English and covers a wider range of everyday topics, which can be helpful for general life skills.

In the UK, you do not need to meet all required scores in a single test sitting.
Combined results from two sittings are acceptable.

However, minimum section scores still apply:

IELTS: at least 6.5 in each section (Writing 6.0 minimum)
OET: at least 300 in each section (Writing 250 minimum)

Study with OET BANK

Stop wasting time comparing OET materials.

With OET Bank, you get:

Premium-quality OET materials, built by professionals
A focused, efficient study path — no unnecessary content
A system designed to help you pass OET once — without trial and error

If you want to prepare properly and pass with confidence,
you don’t need to look anywhere else.

Pick your materials and start today — with OET Bank.

Registration & Pathways