Overview
护士执业资格考试 (the National Nurse Qualification Exam) is China's licensing exam for nursing practice, jointly run by the National Health Commission and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and implemented by the National Medical Examination Center. Passing it is required before a graduate can register for a Nurse Practising Certificate (护士执业证书).
Who can apply
Candidates must have graduated from a nursing or midwifery programme at the secondary vocational level or above, and completed an eight-month supervised clinical practicum (实习) at a medical institution.
Exam pattern
| Section | Focus |
|---|---|
| Professional Practice (专业实务) | Core nursing knowledge and clinical scenarios |
| Practical Ability (实践能力) | Applied nursing skills and clinical judgement |
Both sections are computer-based. A candidate must reach the pass line in both sections in the same exam cycle to pass overall; the exact pass line is set each year by the National Medical Examination Center.
Important dates
The exam is held once a year. The National Medical Examination Center announces the exact dates each year.
After the exam
After passing, candidates register for a Nurse Practising Certificate with their local health authority before beginning professional nursing practice.
Preparation tips
Since both sections must be passed together in the same cycle, balance study time between Professional Practice and Practical Ability rather than over-focusing on one.
Confirm your practicum (实习) completion status before registering, since it is a prerequisite to sit the exam.
FAQs
Do I need clinical practice before I can sit this exam?
Yes. Candidates must complete an eight-month supervised clinical practicum at a medical institution as part of their nursing programme before sitting the exam.
Do I need to pass both sections in the same year?
Yes. Both the Professional Practice and Practical Ability sections must be passed in the same exam cycle.