Overview
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) of Ghana regulates nursing and midwifery practice in the country. People who finish nursing or midwifery training at an accredited institution must pass the Council's written licensing examination before they can be registered and practise legally.
Who can apply
Graduates of accredited nursing and midwifery institutions in Ghana, including nurse assistants, nurses and midwives.
Foreign-trained nurses and midwives, who must also sit the examination. Their application needs transcripts, photographs, a birth certificate copy, professional certificates, employer testimonials, appointment letters, verification from the regulator that first licensed them, and proof of English proficiency.
Exam pattern
The licensing examination is a written examination. For foreign-trained applicants, the Council states that it is held twice a year, in June and December; the pages reviewed do not give a schedule for graduates of Ghanaian institutions. The pages reviewed do not publish the number of papers, duration or question format, so check with the Council or your institution.
Marking and results
A pass is confirmed by a results slip, which is needed for the registration steps below. The pass mark is not stated on the pages reviewed.
Fees
The Council says the examination fee is subject to review from time to time, and the pages reviewed give no amount. For foreign-trained practitioners, as listed on the official site in 2026, the registration fee after the examination and the provisional licence fee are each USD 125, or the equivalent in Ghana cedis. Confirm current amounts with the Council.
How to apply
The pages reviewed do not describe examination registration, so contact the Council for details. Foreign-trained applicants submit the documents listed under eligibility.
After the exam
After passing, new graduates register as follows.
Visit the Council's Regional Office for the region of your training institution and present your results slip.
Complete a registration form.
Pay the registration fee.
Receive a log book and a provisional licence for rotation or national service.
Complete the rotation or national service, then return the log book and provisional licence.
Receive your Professional Identification Number (PIN) for nurses and midwives, or Auxiliary Identification Number (AIN) for nurse assistants, and your certificate of registration.
Foreign-trained candidates who pass the written examination also complete a three-month practical orientation programme in a Council-accredited hospital before they are registered.
FAQs
How often is the NMC licensing exam held?
For foreign-trained applicants, the Council says it is held twice a year, in June and December.
Do foreign-trained nurses need to sit the exam?
Yes. Foreign-trained professionals must also pass the Council's examination to be eligible for registration.
What do I receive after passing and registering?
You get a provisional licence for rotation or national service, then a PIN or AIN and a certificate of registration once you finish and return your documents.