Overview
The Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) is the regulator of nurses and midwives in Kenya. Its national licensing examination is the step a Kenya-trained nurse or midwife must pass before applying for registration and a practice licence. The exam is computer-based and sat at an examination centre chosen by the candidate during application.
Who can apply
Candidates who have trained in Kenya in a nursing or midwifery programme the Council examines apply through the NCK online services portal. Nurses trained outside Kenya follow a separate route: the Council checks their training credentials with the institution, and an oral interview with its Registration and Licensing Committee decides whether they sit a written exam or complete a clinical placement in Kenya before registration.
Exam pattern
Each paper lasts two hours. Morning sessions start at 9.00 a.m. and afternoon sessions at 2.00 p.m. Each programme has either one paper or two, as set out in the Council's 2025 schedule. Candidates must take their seat one hour before the start, and anyone arriving more than 30 minutes late is not admitted.
Before the main exam, candidates must attend a rehearsal in person at their centre. This includes sitting two mock exams in the exam system and collecting the NCK exam card. Missing the rehearsal can lead to disqualification.
Programmes with one paper (2025 schedule)
Kenya Registered Midwife (KRM)
Kenya Registered Paediatric Nurse (KRPAEDN)
Kenya Registered Paediatric Critical Care Nurse (KRPAEDCCN)
Kenya Registered Palliative Care Nurse (KRPCN)
Kenya Registered Oncology Nursing (KRON)
Kenya Registered Nurse Anaesthetist (KRNA)
Kenya Registered Ophthalmic Nurse (KROPN)
Kenya Registered Mental Health and Psychiatric Nurse (KRMH&PN)
Kenya Registered Peri-Operative Nurse (KRPON)
Kenya Enrolled Community Health Nurse, Basic (KECHN B)
Kenya Registered Critical Care Nurse (KRCCN)
Kenya Registered Nephrology Nurse (KRNN)
Kenya Registered Trauma and Emergency Nurse (KRT&EN)
Kenya Registered Neonatal Nurse (KRNeoN)
Kenya Enrolled Midwife (KEM)
Kenya Enrolled Nurse (KEN)
Programmes with two papers (2025 schedule)
Kenya Registered Nurse (KRN)
Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse, Basic (KRCHN B)
Kenya Registered Nurse Midwife (KRN/M)
Kenya Registered Nurse/Mental Health Nurse (KRN/MH)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (BScM)
Exam rules
Bring your national ID and NCK exam card; no one is admitted without both.
Candidates trained in Kenya wear their school uniform or the official nurse or midwife uniform.
Notes, books, phones, smartwatches, earphones and other devices are banned, apart from the PC used for the exam, and only the exam application may be open on it.
Leaving the exam environment or getting remote help leads to disqualification and cancelled results.
Malpractice cancels the results for that cycle and bars the candidate from sitting any exam for one year.
The exam fee is not refunded to candidates who break the rules.
A request to sit remotely must be sent in writing, with supporting documents, at least two weeks before the rehearsal date. The Council decides whether to grant it.
The deadline to change exam centre is three weeks before the rehearsal.
Marking and results
Candidates view their results through the NCK online services once the Council releases them. The sources reviewed do not state a pass mark.
Important dates
The Council runs the exam several times a year. The 2025 schedule lists sittings in May, August and November.
May 2025
Applications opened 18 December 2024 and closed 21 March 2025. The withdrawal deadline was 11 April 2025.
Exams were held 21 to 23 May 2025, with rehearsal on 20 May 2025.
Results were declared on 30 June 2025.
August 2025
Applications opened 1 May 2025 and closed 20 June 2025.
Withdrawal deadline was 18 July 2025.
Exams were held 13 to 15 August 2025, with rehearsal on 12 August 2025.
Results were due on 30 September 2025.
November 2025
Applications opened 25 August 2025 and closed 30 September 2025. The withdrawal deadline was 17 October 2025.
Exams were held 12 to 14 November 2025, with rehearsal on 11 November 2025.
Results were due on 16 December 2025.
The NCK website lists a 2026-27 examination calendar and August 2026 centre placements. Check it for current dates.
How to apply
The Council's 2023 portal notice lists these steps.
Log in to the NCK online services portal.
Open the Exams option.
Choose your preferred exam centre.
Pay the exam fee to complete the application.
Withdrawals must be notified to the Council before the withdrawal deadline in the schedule.
After the exam
A candidate who passes must apply online for registration and licensing within 30 days of the release of results. Once registration and licensing are completed, the Council provides a registration certificate and a nurse practising licence.
Preparation tips
Attend both mock exams in the rehearsal week; they let you practise on the real exam system.
Confirm your centre and programme paper count on the schedule before the change deadline.
How long is each NCK paper?
Two hours per paper. Some programmes have one paper and others two, as listed in the Council schedule.
Is the rehearsal compulsory?
Yes. Candidates must attend in person, sit the two mock exams and collect their exam card, or risk being barred from the main exam.
How soon must I register after passing?
Within 30 days of the results being released.