If you’re a nurse dreaming of living and working in New Zealand, 2025 brings clear and structured pathways for international and local nurses to get registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ). Known for its safe, inclusive, and high-quality healthcare system, New Zealand welcomes competent nurses from around the world who meet its professional standards. Whether you’ve trained in New Zealand or overseas, the registration process is designed to ensure that all nurses are safe to practice and culturally aware of the diverse communities they will serve. This step-by-step guide, written in simple words and an easy style, will help you understand the full process to become a registered nurse in New Zealand in 2025.
Understanding the Role of the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ)
The Nursing Council of New Zealand, often referred to as NCNZ, is the official authority that oversees nurse registration and practice throughout the country. It works under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. Its main responsibility is to protect the health and safety of the public by ensuring that every nurse practising in New Zealand is competent and fit for the role. This includes maintaining a professional register of nurses, assessing international qualifications, conducting examinations if needed, and setting continuing competence standards. Whether you are a locally trained nurse or an internationally qualified nurse (IQN), you must meet the standards set by the NCNZ in order to register and practice legally.
Eligibility Requirements for Nurses in 2025
If you completed your nursing studies in New Zealand, you need to have completed an approved Bachelor of Nursing program (Level 7 or above) from an institution recognised by the NCNZ. You must also have passed the New Zealand State Final Examination, which tests your knowledge and readiness to practice. In addition, you must be able to prove that you are fit to practice by providing evidence of good health, good character, and English language proficiency. Two professional references are also required as part of your registration application.
For internationally qualified nurses, the process is a bit more detailed. You must hold current nursing registration in your home country and have completed a nursing qualification that is equivalent to a Level 7 or Level 8 qualification in New Zealand. You also need to show that you have worked at least 2,500 hours in the last five years after becoming a registered nurse. This proves that your nursing skills are up to date and meet international standards. You will also need to go through a qualification and identity verification process handled by CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) before you can apply to the NCNZ.
Credential Verification Through CGFNS
If you are an internationally qualified nurse, your first step is to complete a credentials verification process through CGFNS International. This process ensures that your educational background, nursing license, and work experience are authentic and meet New Zealand’s standards. You must create an account with CGFNS and submit all your required documents, including nursing qualifications, transcripts, work experience certificates, and personal identity documents. Once verified, CGFNS will send a report to the NCNZ. You must review your report before it is submitted to make sure all information is correct. Without this CGFNS verification, your registration process cannot begin.
Submitting an Application to the NCNZ
After your credentials are verified and sent to the NCNZ, you will receive an invitation to apply for registration. The next step is to submit an application through the NCNZ’s online portal. You will need to fill out personal, educational, and professional details carefully. The application also asks for documents like your passport, nursing qualifications, CGFNS report, and your work experience. At this stage, you also need to pay the official registration application fee. This part of the process is where the NCNZ reviews your background in more detail and checks if you are eligible to become a registered nurse in New Zealand. It’s important to be patient, as document verification and assessment can take some time.
English Language Requirements for Nurses
Being able to communicate clearly in English is very important for nurses in New Zealand. You will need to prove your English language skills through internationally accepted tests. The Nursing Council accepts both IELTS Academic and OET (Occupational English Test) results. For IELTS, you must score at least 7.0 in reading, speaking, and listening, and at least 6.5 in writing. For OET, the requirement is a minimum of 350 in reading, speaking, and listening, and 300 in writing. The test results must be from within the last three years, and the entire set of test results must have been achieved within a 12-month period. You cannot combine different test results across multiple years. These language standards are set to make sure you can safely and confidently interact with patients and healthcare teams in New Zealand.
Criminal Record and Background Checks
To protect patient safety, all applicants must complete a criminal history check as part of the registration process. If you are applying from within New Zealand, you will need to request a criminal record through the Ministry of Justice. If you are applying from overseas or have lived in other countries, you will need to complete an International Criminal History Check (ICHC), which is usually processed through a third-party service like Fit2Work. The NCNZ will not accept police clearance certificates from embassies or local agencies, so you must use the correct procedure. This step confirms that you do not have any criminal background that could affect your fitness to practice nursing in New Zealand.
Completing Cultural Competence Training
New Zealand has a strong commitment to cultural safety in healthcare. This means nurses must understand and respect the cultural values, beliefs, and needs of the people they care for. To support this, the NCNZ requires internationally qualified nurses to complete a free online program called “Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand.” This program includes modules such as “Nga Paerewa Te Tiriti Module 1” and “Foundations in Cultural Competence.” These training courses will help you learn more about the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi), the history of Maori communities, and how to provide culturally safe nursing care in a diverse population. Completion of this course is mandatory and shows your willingness to adapt to the healthcare environment in New Zealand.
Competence Assessment Requirements
Depending on your nursing education and clinical experience, the NCNZ may ask you to complete a competence assessment. This process is designed to confirm that you have the skills and knowledge needed to practice safely in New Zealand. It includes a theory test and a practical examination. The theory test is computer-based and consists of two parts: medication safety and general nursing knowledge. It is conducted by Pearson VUE at approved centers and must be passed before moving on to the practical assessment. The next step is the OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination), which is held in Christchurch, New Zealand. The OSCE involves a series of real-life nursing scenarios where your clinical skills, decision-making, and communication abilities are tested. Before sitting the OSCE, you will attend a two-day orientation and preparation course to help you understand what to expect. The OSCE is a critical part of the assessment for many internationally qualified nurses.
Costs Involved in the Registration Process
Registering as a nurse in New Zealand does involve some costs, so it’s good to plan your budget accordingly. The CGFNS credential verification fee is USD 300, while the NCNZ application fee is NZD 485. The criminal history check for international applicants usually costs around NZD 169 per country. If you are required to sit the theoretical exam, it costs NZD 140, with re-sits priced separately. The OSCE costs NZD 3,000, and there is an additional NZD 500 for the orientation course before the exam. You should also consider the cost of travel and accommodation if you are travelling to New Zealand to attend the OSCE. Altogether, the process can cost several thousand dollars, depending on your personal situation and whether you need to resit any exams. While the investment is significant, it opens doors to a stable, rewarding career in a respected healthcare system.
Post-Registration and Practising Certificate
Once you are successfully registered, your next step is to apply for an Annual Practising Certificate (APC). This certificate is what legally allows you to work as a nurse in New Zealand. In 2025, the APC fee is NZD 130 and it is valid for 12 months. You must renew your APC every year, and during each renewal period, you are required to show that you are still competent to practice by participating in ongoing professional development activities. This ensures that all nurses stay updated with the latest knowledge and practices in healthcare. The NCNZ may also require proof of clinical hours worked, training attended, or reflective practice activities during the year. Renewing your APC on time is essential for continuing your nursing career without interruption.
Start Your New Zealand Nursing Journey with West Highlander Immigration
The journey to becoming a registered nurse in New Zealand may seem detailed and sometimes lengthy, but every step is there to ensure that the nurses joining the New Zealand healthcare system are safe, skilled, and culturally aware. If you follow the process with care, stay organised with your documents, and prepare well for your competence assessments, you can successfully achieve your goal of working as a nurse in this beautiful and welcoming country. If you are unsure at any stage or need professional guidance, it’s a good idea to connect with trusted immigration advisors such as West Highlander Immigration, who can help you with your nursing registration and visa application process.