Nursing and Midwifery Council

Nursing and Midwifery Council

Overview

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the statutory regulator of nurses and midwives across the United Kingdom. Based in London, the NMC exists to protect the public by setting and maintaining professional standards for nursing and midwifery practice, regulating who can practise these professions, and holding practitioners accountable through professional conduct procedures. Rather than a membership association in the traditional sense, the NMC operates as a regulatory body: all registered nurses and midwives in the UK must be registered with the NMC to practise legally, making it an essential point of connection for everyone in these professions.

Who Should Join?

The NMC is relevant to:

• Registered nurses — all nurses practising in the UK, regardless of setting (hospital, community, private practice, research or education), must register with the NMC
• Registered midwives — all practising midwives in the UK must be registered with the NMC
• Student nurses and midwives — those undertaking approved pre-registration education programmes leading to registration
• Nurses and midwives from overseas — those seeking to practise in the UK, who can apply for registration through the NMC's international routes
• Healthcare employers and educational institutions — organisations that employ nurses and midwives, or deliver nursing and midwifery education, interact with the NMC to ensure their staff meet regulatory requirements

Registration with the NMC is not optional — it is a legal requirement for anyone wishing to practise nursing or midwifery in the UK. This makes the NMC fundamentally different from voluntary professional associations, though registration is often referred to in terms of "joining" the register.

Why Register?

While NMC registration is mandatory rather than voluntary, it serves critical professional purposes:

• Legal authority to practise — registration is the gateway to lawful professional practice in nursing or midwifery in the UK. Practising without registration is illegal.
• Professional credibility and public trust — NMC registration demonstrates to employers, colleagues and the public that you meet recognised professional standards and are accountable to the regulator.
• Professional recognition — being on the NMC register confirms your qualifications and professional standing, which is essential for employment, career progression and international mobility.
• Professional development framework — the NMC's professional standards and codes of practice guide professional development and continuous improvement throughout your career.
• Public protection assurance — NMC regulation protects patients and service users by maintaining standards of conduct, competence and care across the profession.

Member Benefits & Opportunities

As a registered nurse or midwife, you gain access to several key resources and protections:

• Professional standards and guidance — the NMC publishes its Code of Professional Standards of Practice and Behaviour, which sets out what is expected of nurses and midwives, alongside specialist guidance on areas such as online practice, revalidation and professional indemnity insurance.
• Revalidation support — all registered nurses and midwives must revalidate their registration every three years. The NMC provides guidance, resources and support to help practitioners meet this requirement and maintain their professional standing.
• Regulatory clarity and advice — registered practitioners can access NMC guidance on professional issues, ethical decision-making and regulatory requirements relevant to their practice.
• Professional conduct procedures — whilst primarily protective of the public, the NMC's fitness-to-practise procedures also provide fairness and clarity if a registered practitioner's conduct is questioned, with appeal routes and support throughout the process.
• Registration records and verification — the NMC maintains a public register of all active practitioners, allowing employers, colleagues and the public to verify professional standing and check for any conditions or restrictions on practice.
• Policy influence and professional voice — registered practitioners can engage with NMC consultations, policy development and strategic initiatives, contributing to the future direction of nursing and midwifery regulation.

Industry Role & Professional Standing

The NMC is the statutory regulatory authority for nursing and midwifery in the UK, established by law to protect the public. Its significance within the healthcare and nursing sectors includes:

• Standard-setting authority — the NMC sets and maintains professional standards for entry to the register, ongoing practice, conduct and competence. These standards define what the public can expect from registered nurses and midwives.
• Education and training approval — the NMC approves pre-registration nursing and midwifery education programmes delivered by universities and other institutions, ensuring they meet required standards for producing competent practitioners.
• Professional accountability — through its fitness-to-practise procedures, the NMC investigates allegations of misconduct, poor performance or ill health, protecting the public and maintaining the profession's integrity.
• Policy and advocacy — the NMC engages with government, healthcare systems, employers and other stakeholders to shape policy affecting nursing and midwifery practice and regulation.
• Professional leadership — the NMC provides leadership and clarity to the nursing and midwifery professions on emerging issues, changing healthcare landscapes and evolving professional responsibilities.
• Research and evidence — the NMC conducts and commissions research into professional practice, regulation and education, informing evidence-based approaches to maintaining professional standards.

All registered nurses and midwives in the UK are accountable to the NMC. This places the NMC at the centre of professional practice, connecting individual practitioners to a regulated profession with clear standards, public accountability and an essential role in maintaining public confidence in healthcare.

Contact and Registration

For further information about NMC registration, professional standards, revalidation requirements or regulatory matters, visit the NMC website or contact the organisation directly. The NMC is located at 23 Portland Place, London, W1B 1PZ, UK.