Registering as a Midwife in the UK β the NMC Pathway, Explained
Trained as a midwife outside the UK and want to know how to practise here? This is a clear, honest walkthrough of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration pathway for midwives β the English requirement, the midwifery CBT and OSCE, how the route differs from the nurse pathway, the visa route, and what you would actually earn on the NHS pay scale.
To work as a midwife in the UK, you must join the Midwife part of the NMC register. If you trained overseas, the route is the NMC Test of Competence: evidence your English (usually IELTS Academic or OET), pass the midwifery computer-based test (CBT), submit your qualifications, and pass the practical midwifery OSCE at a UK test centre. Once registered you receive an NMC PIN and typically start on NHS Band 5, progressing to Band 6. Source: NMC (nmc.org.uk), NHS Employers (nhsemployers.org). Information current as of 2026-07.
The six stages, at a glance
Every internationally-educated midwife follows the same core route. Here is the whole pathway in one view; each stage has its own detailed guide.
- 1
Create an NMC account and check midwife eligibility
You begin by opening an account on the NMC online portal and completing an eligibility self-assessment. The NMC checks that your midwifery qualification and clinical experience map to the Midwife part of the UK register. You will need your qualification certificates, transcripts, and proof of registration as a midwife (or nurse-midwife) with the professional regulator in your country of training.
- 2
Provide evidence of English language competence
You must show the NMC that your English meets the required standard β normally an IELTS Academic or OET result, unless you qualify for an exemption (for example, a midwifery qualification that was taught and examined in English, or recent registration/practice in a majority English-speaking country). The exact accepted routes and scores are published by the NMC and are summarised on our English requirements page. The English requirement is the same for midwives as for nurses.
- 3
Pass the Computer Based Test (CBT) β Test of Competence Part 1
The CBT is the first part of the NMC Test of Competence. For midwives it is a midwifery-specific multiple-choice exam delivered at Pearson VUE test centres in many countries. It has a numeracy section and a clinical section based on the standards expected of a UK-registered midwife across the maternity continuum. You can sit the CBT from your home country before travelling to the UK.
- 4
Submit your registration application and supporting documents
You complete the full NMC application, upload your midwifery qualifications, and arrange for your training institution and regulator to verify your records and provide references. The NMC assesses your documents, identity, health and character declarations. This is the stage where most timelines vary, so keep your paperwork complete and responsive.
- 5
Pass the OSCE β Test of Competence Part 2
The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is taken in person at an approved test centre in the UK. For midwives it is set in maternity scenarios β antenatal, labour and birth, postnatal and newborn care β and assesses whether you can apply midwifery knowledge safely across assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation, plus practical clinical skills. Many internationally-educated midwives arrive in the UK on a role that supports OSCE preparation and sit the OSCE within their first weeks.
- 6
Pay the registration fee and receive your NMC PIN
Once every requirement is met, you pay the NMC annual registration fee and are entered on the Midwife part of the register. You receive an NMC PIN, which confirms you are a registered midwife in the UK and can practise. Registration is then renewed each year, with revalidation every three years.
Detailed guides
Dig into the part you need next.
NMC registration pathway
The full six-stage Test of Competence route for midwives, indicative fees, and timelines.
Nurse vs midwife route
How the NMC midwife pathway differs from the nurse pathway β register part, qualification, CBT and OSCE.
English requirements (IELTS / OET)
Which test, the exemption routes, and how to evidence your English to the NMC.
The midwifery OSCE
What the practical maternity exam involves, its stations, and where it is taken in the UK.
NHS pay bands for midwives
Agenda for Change bands, indicative salaries, London weighting, and progression.
Country-specific information
We publish corridor pages only for source countries that are not on the WHO 2023 Safeguards List or the UK amber list. If your country is not listed, the general pathway above still applies and you can always apply to a UK employer directly, on your own account.
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Tell us your email and we send a step-by-step checklist you can tick off β English test, CBT, application documents, midwifery OSCE prep and registration β plus updates when NMC fees or requirements change. No spam, no fee, unsubscribe anytime.
We are not a recruitment agency and never charge midwives a placement fee. The checklist is general information, not immigration advice.
What you would earn
Newly registered midwives in England normally start on Agenda for Change Band 5 during preceptorship and progress to Band 6. These figures are indicative for 2024/25 and are set nationally each year.
| Band | Typical role | Indicative annual pay (England) |
|---|---|---|
| Band 5 | Newly registered midwife (preceptorship) | Β£29,970 β Β£36,483 |
| Band 6 | Registered midwife | Β£37,338 β Β£44,962 |
| Band 7 | Specialist midwife, labour ward coordinator, team leader | Β£46,148 β Β£52,809 |
| Band 8a | Matron, consultant midwife, senior midwifery manager | Β£53,755 β Β£60,504 |
Source: NHS Agenda for Change pay scales (England), 2024/25, published by NHS Employers (nhsemployers.org). Indicative full-time figures β confirm the current year's scale, which is revised annually and differs in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Full pay-band breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
Can an internationally-educated midwife work in the UK?+
Yes. Midwives who trained outside the UK can practise once they join the Midwife part of the register held by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The route is the NMC Test of Competence: you evidence your English, pass a midwifery computer-based test (CBT), submit your qualifications, and pass a practical midwifery exam (OSCE) in the UK. After that you receive an NMC PIN and can work as a registered midwife.
How is the midwife route different from the nurse route?+
Both nurses and midwives register with the NMC through the Test of Competence, and the English requirement is the same. The difference is that midwives join the Midwife part of the register, the NMC assesses a midwifery qualification, and the CBT and OSCE are midwifery-specific β the OSCE is set in maternity scenarios (antenatal, labour and birth, postnatal and newborn care) rather than general nursing situations. See the nurse-vs-midwife route page for a full comparison.
Is GeraClinic a midwifery recruitment agency?+
No. GeraClinic and Gera do not recruit or place midwives, do not match you to specific NHS vacancies, and never charge a midwife a placement fee. This cluster is free, general pathway information for midwives who are exploring UK registration on their own. You apply directly, of your own accord, to NHS trusts and other licensed employers.
How much do midwives earn in the NHS?+
NHS pay in England follows the Agenda for Change framework. Newly registered midwives typically start on Band 5 during a preceptorship period and progress to Band 6, and many midwifery posts are Band 6. Band 5 runs from about Β£29,970 to Β£36,483 and Band 6 from about Β£37,338 to Β£44,962 for 2024/25 (indicative β pay is set annually and differs in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). London roles add a High Cost Area Supplement. See the NHS pay bands page for the full breakdown and sources.
Which countries can I get corridor-specific information for?+
We publish corridor pages only for source countries that are not on the WHO 2023 Safeguards List or the UK amber list β currently India, the Philippines, Egypt and midwives based in the UAE. Midwives from any country may always apply directly to a UK employer of their own accord; we simply do not build targeted recruitment funnels for restricted corridors.
How long does NMC registration take and what does it cost?+
Timelines vary widely depending on how quickly documents are verified and when you can sit each test, but many midwives complete the pathway within a few months once they start. Costs include the application, CBT, OSCE and the annual registration fee. All fees are set by the NMC and change over time β the NMC registration page on this site lists indicative amounts and links you to the current figures.
Explore more from Gera
GeraClinic β For Nurses
Internationally-educated nurse? See the parallel NMC nurse-registration pathway, English requirements, OSCE and NHS pay bands.
GeraJobs β Healthcare jobs
Browse live healthcare vacancies aggregated by GeraClinicβs sibling product, GeraJobs.
GeraCompliance β For employers
Employers hiring internationally: understand your GDPR and right-to-work obligations with GeraCompliance.
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Important β please read
This is general information to help internationally-educated midwives understand the UK registration pathway. It is not recruitment, immigration or legal advice. Gera is not a recruitment agency: we do not place midwives into NHS jobs, do not match candidates to specific vacancies, and never charge a midwife a placement fee. You apply on your own account, directly to NHS trusts and other licensed employers. Requirements, fees and pay scales change β always confirm the current position with the NMC (nmc.org.uk), UK Visas and Immigration (gov.uk) and NHS Employers (nhsemployers.org).