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Ireland

Your journey, step by step

Confidence: high, checked on official pages

Your route to Ireland

Your route to Ireland

Regulator: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)
Last checked 29 Oct 2026Confidence: high, checked on official pages

Language test · Minimum scores

IELTS Academic

overall
7

7.0 in any three components and 6.5 in any one component

One sitting only (no combined results). Under 2 years old. IELTS One Skill Retake and IELTS Online not accepted. Exempt if trained in, or 3 of last 5 years practising in, a recognised majority English-speaking country.

SourceChecked 29 Oct 2026

OET (Nursing)

Grade B in three components and C+ in one component

One sitting only; OET@Home not accepted; under 2 years old.

SourceChecked 29 Oct 2026

Licensing exam

Overseas Aptitude Test (compensation measure, general nursing)

  • RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Dublin
  • Part 1 theory (MCQ) then Part 2 practical (OSCE); must pass Part 1 first
  • Attempts: Fee includes two attempts at each part
SourceChecked 29 Oct 2026

Adaptation period (alternative compensation measure)

  • NMBI-approved Irish hospital
  • Supervised clinical practice, minimum 6 weeks, can extend to 12 weeks or more
SourceChecked 29 Oct 2026

Your steps

  1. Create a MyNMBI account and start Overseas Recognition (EUR 350)
  2. Upload passport, degree, transcript, CCPS; employer and college complete their forms
  3. NMBI verifies and decides (about 95% get a compensation measure)
  4. Choose the RCSI aptitude test or a 6-12+ week adaptation period, and pass it
  5. Provide IELTS Academic or OET (or an English exemption) at registration stage
  6. Apply for Overseas Registration (EUR 145), then employment permit and start work

Practise now

Try 5 free questions for IrelandNo sign-up needed.
IELTS Academic readingOET readingClinical nursing knowledgeDrug dosage calculationsDestination rules and safety

Official fees

Fees as listed by the regulator on the date shown. Visa, travel and test fees are not included.

  • Overseas qualification recognition fee: EUR 350 · Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
  • Overseas registration fee: EUR 145 · Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
  • Annual retention fee: EUR 100 · Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
  • RCSI Overseas Aptitude Test (both parts, two attempts each): EUR 2,800 (EUR 2,500 if an eligible employer pays RCSI directly) · Checked 29 October 2026 · Source

Recent changes

  • : English language evidence moved to the registration stage for applications started after this date. · Source

NMBI says recognition plus registration takes up to 18 months on average including the compensation measure. NMBI fees page shows no last-updated date. OECD: 52% of Ireland's nurses were foreign-trained in 2023.

General information from official sources, not legal or immigration advice.