NMC Registration Fees Are Rising on 1 October 2026: What Overseas Nurses Will Pay
4 days ago
5 min read
The NMC registration fee structure is changing on 1 October 2026. The annual fee paid by every nurse and midwife on the UK register will rise from £120 to £143, and overseas applicants will also pay more for qualification evaluation and initial registration. This NMC fee increase affects internationally educated nurses planning UK registration, as well as nurses already on the register who are due to renew.
What is changing on 1 October 2026?
How much is the NMC registration fee after 1 October 2026? The NMC fee changes cover three fees. CBT and OSCE costs, which are paid to the test providers, remain the same.
Fee | Before 1 October 2026 | From 1 October 2026 |
Annual registration and renewal fee | £120 | £143 |
Overseas applicant registration fee | £153 | £182 |
Qualification evaluation fee | £140 | £167 |
Estimated CBT and OSCE route total | £1,170 | £1,226 |
The annual fee you pay depends on when you receive your renewal notification. If you receive it before 1 October 2026, you pay £120; if you receive it from 1 October 2026, you pay £143. You can check the details on the NMC's official fee page.
Who is affected by the NMC fee increase?
The NMC fees 2026 update affects three groups of nurses.
New overseas applicants who submit their eligibility and qualification application from 1 October 2026 will pay the higher qualification evaluation fee of £167. Those who reach the final stage from that date will pay the new registration fee of £182.
Nurses already on the register will pay the new annual retention fee of £143 once their notification arrives on or after 1 October 2026.
Nurses due to renew around the changeover date should check when their notification is issued, since this decides whether they pay the old or new NMC renewal fee.
If you are new to the process, our overview of the NMC registration process explains each stage.
Why is the NMC raising its fees?
The NMC describes this as its first fee increase in 11 years. It has pointed to inflation since 2015, a rise in fitness-to-practise referrals and falling financial reserves as the main reasons for the change. The full reasoning is set out in the NMC announcement.
What should overseas nurses budget for?
For overseas nurses, the NMC registration cost is spread across several stages, and the NMC fees for international nurses are paid at different points along the route. Here is how the fees fall from 1 October 2026.
Qualification evaluation: £167, paid to the NMC when you submit your eligibility and qualification application. This fee is non-refundable.
Computer-Based Test (CBT): £83, paid to the test provider before the test.
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE): £794, paid to the test centre before the exam, taken in person in the UK.
Registration fee: £182, paid to the NMC when you submit your registration application.
Annual fee: £143 each year once you are on the register.
Together, the CBT and OSCE cost and the NMC fees bring the estimated route total to £1,226, compared with £1,170 before the change. The annual fee is paid separately after registration.
Your actual spend may be higher. Resits, travel to the UK for the OSCE, accommodation, English language tests and exam preparation all add to the total, and these vary from person to person. For a full walkthrough of each stage, read our step-by-step NMC registration guide. If you are preparing for the practical exam, explore our NMC OSCE preparation support, or read more on how to become a nurse in the UK.
What should you do before the changeover date?
A few simple checks can help you plan ahead of 1 October 2026.
Check your fee expiry date. Log in to MyNMC to see when your annual fee is due and when your notification is likely to arrive. Can I pay my NMC fee early? The fee depends on when your renewal notification is issued rather than when you pay, so paying early will not keep you on the £120 rate if your notification arrives from 1 October 2026.
Consider Direct Debit. The NMC accepts annual or quarterly Direct Debit, or payment by credit or debit card (American Express is not accepted) through MyNMC. Quarterly payments can spread the cost of the higher NMC annual fee.
Keep your receipt. Nurses working in the UK may be able to claim tax relief on NMC fees, as the NMC is a professional body approved by HMRC. Eligibility depends on your circumstances, so check the HMRC guidance on professional fees and subscriptions before you claim.
Frequently asked questions
When do the new NMC fees take effect?The new NMC fees take effect on 1 October 2026. From this date, the annual fee rises to £143, the overseas registration fee to £182 and the qualification evaluation fee to £167. CBT and OSCE fees, which are paid to the test providers, remain unchanged.
How much is the NMC annual fee now?Until 30 September 2026, the NMC annual fee is £120. From 1 October 2026, it rises to £143. The fee you pay depends on when you receive your renewal notification, not when you make the payment, so check your MyNMC account for your dates.
Will I pay the old fee if I apply before 1 October 2026?It depends on the fee. The fees in place when you submit each application or receive each notification apply. For the annual fee, a notification received before 1 October 2026 means you pay £120. Confirm the fee for your specific stage on the NMC website.
Can I claim tax relief on NMC fees?
Nurses working in the UK may be able to claim tax relief on their NMC annual fee, as the NMC is a professional body approved by HMRC. Eligibility depends on your employment and tax situation, so check the HMRC guidance on professional fees and subscriptions before making a claim.
Where can I confirm the latest figures?You can confirm the latest figures on the NMC's official fee page at nmc.org.uk. Fees can change, so check the NMC website before making any payment, particularly if you are applying or renewing close to 1 October 2026.
Need help with NMC registration?
Envertiz Consultancy supports overseas nurses at every stage of UK registration and placement, from your first application to your first role. If you would like guidance on your next step, speak to our team or explore nursing careers in the UK. If you are comparing destinations, you can also read about Ireland's NMBI route. Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and reflects NMC fee guidance as of 29 September 2026. Fees, rules and processes can change. Always confirm the latest figures and requirements directly on the official NMC website (nmc.org.uk) before making any payment or application. This is not formal advice.
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