Returning to Practice

Have you previously been registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK, but your professional registration has lapsed?

Have you been thinking about using your qualification again?

If you have, then we want to hear from you.

What is return to practice? 

If you have previously been registered as a healthcare professional in the UK and wish to return to the profession, you may need to undertake a Return to Practice (RTP) programme or supported period of return to allow you to update your skills and knowledge so that you can become re-registered and return to work in healthcare.

I am a nurse or midwife – how do I return to practice?

For Nurses and Midwives who have previously been registered in the UK, there are three choices:

1. Apply directly to the NMC for readmission to the register (you must have all of the following: 450 registered practice hours over the last 3 years, or 750 registered practice hours over the last 5 years, 35 hours of CPD in the last 3 years and three character references)
2. Complete a RTP course with a local university with placements at a local trust (takes between 3-12 months, is fully-funded by NHS England and you may be entitled to claim for out-of-pocket expenses such as childcare, travel, books). Most applicants choose this option. To apply, please search for a local university who offers an RTP course by clicking here.
3. Take and NMC test of Competence (a multiple choice computer test and a practical test which incurs a fee payable by the individual)

For further information for returning nurses, please click here.

For further information for returning midwives, please click here.

I am an AHP, Healthcare Scientist or Practicing Psychologist – how do I return to practice?

For Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), healthcare scientists and practising psychologists who have previously been registered in the UK, there are two options:

1. Complete between 30-60 days of updating your skills and knowledge according to your professional body requirements (collecting evidence of a combination of supervised practice, informal and formal study. Your supervised practice will be supported by a registrant from the same profession as you and can be undertaken at your local trust where there is availability. You may be entitled to claim for out-of-pocket expenses such as childcare, travel, books if you register with NHS England).
2. There are also two fully funded online university courses you could apply for which will help you meet the HCPC requirements for return to practice:

• Birmingham University, please click here
• Coventry University, please click here (fully online courses and contain virtual placements)

For further information on AHPs, healthcare scientists or practicing psychologists returning to practice, please click here.

What about if I completed my Nursing or Midwifery training outside the UK or have never been registered in the UK?

For Nurses and Midwives who have completed professional training and practiced outside the UK and haven’t been registered with the NMC before, please click here. 

What about if I completed my AHP, healthcare scientist or practicing psychologist training outside the UK or have never been registered in the UK?

For AHP, healthcare scientists and practising psychologists who have completed professional training and practiced outside the UK and haven’t been registered with the HCPC before, please click here.

Where can I go for further information or support?

For further information and support, please contact the Vocational Learning and Development Team: ecn-tr.vldt@nhs.net.