Nurses are superhumans. Who else passes on invaluable sleeping time to ensure lives are saved?
Who else sacrifices their lives to care and spend time with the sick and weak?
Who else exposes themselves to potentially deadly viruses and diseases to ensure those already infected get additional days on earth.
Honestly, they deserve medals, every single one of them. Not only for the good work they do but also for the resilience they portray to pass through a rigorous process that takes years before becoming professional nurses
Today we’ll find out what this process entails. After the years of study, one is required to register as a nurse to be allowed to offer nursing services. Also, they have to renew their licenses once in 2 years.
The Nursing Council of Kenya is the institution mandated to register nurses in Kenya which is part of its duty to ensure the delivery of safe and effective nursing and midwifery care, to the public, through quality education and best practices.
It also accredits all institutions that offer nursing and midwifery courses in Kenya.
How to register as a nurse in Kenya?
The NCK registers already trained nurses through issuing of the council’s national licensing examinations. A trained nurse is therefore required to sit and pass these examinations to be licensed to work as a nurse.
Two types of trained nurses would seek NCK licensing
- Nurses Trained in Kenya
- Nurses Trained Outside Kenya (NTOK)
The process of registration is much easier for Nurses trained in Kenya as compared to Nurses trained outside Kenya.
Nurses trained in Kenya are grouped into 4 categories which determine the requirements they need to fulfill before starting the registration process
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates who were upgrading from KRCHN (B) can directly apply for registration without any other requirement.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates who were upgrading from RN/M have to go for a 15 weeks self-sponsored internship in a community health nursing before they can apply for registration
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates who were upgrading from RN are required to proceed for 27 weeks of self-sponsored internship in midwifery and community health nursing
- Basic Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates have to undertake a 1-year internship which is either government-sponsored or self-sponsored.
Now with that in mind
Steps for nurses trained in Kenya to register with NCK
- Graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Complete your internship if required
- Sit and pass the national licensing examination.
- Wait for results to be released by NCK
- If you are successful, submit an online application for registration and licensing within 30 days after results.
- Wait for your application to be reviewed
- Approved nurses/midwives will receive a practice license and registration certificate within 72 hours and 4 weeks, respectively.
Meanwhile, for Nurses trained outside Kenya, you have to prove that you have attained the required skills and knowledge by Kenyan standards before beginning the registration process.
Steps for nurses trained outside Kenya to register with NCK
- Contact NCK through the website, phone numbers, email, or social media platforms. NCK Phone numbers: +254207854665, +254207854669, +254721920567, +254733924669. NCK E-mail: info@nckenya.org
- Wait for the Council to verify qualifications with the relevant training school and board of nursing/midwifery from the respective country.
- If the Council is satisfied, you will be invited for an oral interview by the Registration and Licensing Committee.
- Sit and pass a written licensure examination
- Undergo a clinical placement for a period of up to 24 weeks
- Submit an online application for registration and licensing
- Wait for your application to be reviewed
- Approved nurses/midwives will receive a practice license and registration certificate within 72 hours and 4 weeks, respectively.
As shown, there are various steps you need to undergo to ensure you meet Kenyan standards before you can proceed with the normal registration process from step 6.
Nursing License Fees
- Ksh 5000 for Basic Programmes examinations
- Ksh 7000 for Post-Basic Specialization Programmes examinations
- Ksh 1000 practice license fee for nurses trained in Kenya
- Ksh 2000 practice license fee for Kenyan nurses trained outside Kenya
- Ksh 5000 ($50) non-Kenyans trained outside Kenya
Payments of these fees should be made as deposits to these bank accounts under the account name: Nursing Council of Kenya.
- Cooperative Bank: 01136098613400
- Barclays Bank: 094-8023954.
Also, it is worth noting the qualifications required for you to be allowed to undergo standardization as a nurse trained outside Kenya. These requirements are;
- Have completed the nursing program, registered and licensed by the country of training
- Have met NCK minimum entry criteria for the nursing program done abroad
- Have made an official application, attach required documents for verification, and make payments of the prescribed fees. These documents include an original certificate and license.
Now, for both Kenyan trained nurses and NTOK the procedure is pretty much the same. The online procedure is very efficient
Steps to apply for nursing license
- Access the NCK Portal Registration Page
- Select Category (Student or Practitioner)
- Students Enter student index number, ID number, and email address
- Practitioners enter Registration Number, ID number and email address
- Input email and confirm.
- Click “Register for Online Services” to create account
- Log into your Email and activate your account by clicking on the link provided. You will be redirected to your NCK account.
- Edit and update your profile.
- Click on the “Registration and Licensing” tab
- Select “Application for Practice License”
- Fill in your work experience, academic qualifications, knowledge of rules, and other NCK licenses that you may be having.
- Scan and upload required documents then click “Next”
- Choose an examination center.
- Enter the transaction number indicated in the payment slip and the date you deposited money to the bank.
- Submit your application and print the application notification.
The license will be ready after 30 days. You will be notified by email and through text.
You are required to collect the license in-person from the NCK offices and hence you should carry a proof of identity during collection.
Documents required for application
The required documents for application of licensing for a nurse trained in Kenya include;
- National ID card or Passport
- NCK Examination Result Slip
- Academic Certificates; KCSE and others.
- Original professional certificate
- 2 colored passport size photographs
- CPD Log Book as proof of at least 60 hours of continuous professional development
Meanwhile, nurses trained outside Kenya will be required to have the following documents in addition to the ones required for nurses trained in Kenya.
- Birth Certificate
- Valid Practice License
- 2 Passport size Photographs
- Curriculum Vitae
- Original Transcripts
- Copies of College Certificates
- Verification by Registering Board
To ensure the continued provision of best quality services by Kenyan nurses, the Nursing Council of Kenya requires that nurses renew their practice licenses every 3 years.
How to renew your nursing license in Kenya
The renewal of the nursing license can be done either online or by visiting the NCK offices personally. The process is almost similar to the registration procedure and requires you to resubmit the necessary documents.
- Pay the renewal fee of Ksh 2000 to NCK Co-operative and Barclays accounts. Ksh 4000 for express processing (i.e. within 3 days)
- Log into NCK Online Service Portal
- Click on the tab “Registration and Licensing” tab
- Select “Renewal for Practice License”
- Add any additional experience and qualifications you have collected since registration.
- Upload required documents as indicated earlier
- Enter the bank transaction number indicated in the payment slip. The payment date is the date you deposited money into the bank.
- Submit your application and print the application notification.
- The license will be availed within 30 days and you will be notified through email and text message to personally collect the license from regional NCK offices. Carry identification documents.
Using the online portal is the easiest and most efficient means to either register or renew your NCK nursing license.
However, if you prefer the traditional method you can visit the NCK offices personally with all the required documents and seek licensing services.
Note you might still be required to use the NCK portal to create an account and download the registration form. So it’s only logical to do it online in the first place.