Part of our Nursing Councils of the World series. Last checked: November 2026.
Bangladesh has built its nursing workforce almost from scratch. When the country’s nursing history began after 1947, there were only about 50 nurses in what is now Bangladesh; by 1970 there were around 600. Today tens of thousands of nurses and midwives work across government hospitals, private hospitals and community services, and many more are in training. Yet Bangladesh still has one of the lowest nurse-to-population ratios in Asia. This guide explains how nurses and midwives qualify, register and practise in Bangladesh.
Imagine a young woman from a village in Rangpur who earns a place on a Diploma in Nursing Science and Midwifery course. Three years later, she sits the BNMC licensing exam, passes and joins a district hospital where a single nurse may care for dozens of patients on a busy ward. She dreams of a BSc, then perhaps a job in the Gulf or the Maldives. Her journey runs through the institutions in this guide.
Who regulates nursing in Bangladesh?
The Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council (BNMC) is the regulatory body for nursing and midwifery education and practice, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Its origins trace to the Indian Nurses Act of 1934; the East Pakistan Nursing Council was established in 1952 and renamed after independence in 1971. The BNMC is based in Bijoynagar, Dhaka.
The BNMC’s main functions include:
- Setting standards for nursing and midwifery education and approving institutions and curricula.
- Conducting licensing examinations for diploma programmes.
- Registering nurses and midwives and issuing and renewing registration.
- Maintaining professional conduct and handling complaints.
The Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery (DGNM)
Separate from the BNMC, the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery (DGNM) manages nursing and midwifery services and government nursing institutions, including recruitment, postings, training and education administration in the public sector. It grew out of the Directorate of Nursing Services, established in 1977. In simple terms, the BNMC regulates, while the DGNM manages the government nursing workforce and institutions.
Routes into nursing and midwifery
- Diploma in Nursing Science and Midwifery: a three-year diploma at government and private nursing institutes.
- Diploma in Midwifery: a dedicated midwifery diploma introduced to expand skilled birth attendance.
- BSc in Nursing: a four-year bachelor’s degree at nursing colleges affiliated with universities.
- Post-basic BSc in Nursing or Public Health Nursing: for diploma nurses upgrading their qualification.
- MSc in Nursing: postgraduate programmes, including at Bangladesh Medical University and other institutions.
Admission to government institutions is competitive and is managed through national admission tests announced each year.
The BNMC licensing examination
Graduates of diploma programmes must pass the BNMC’s final licensing examination to be registered. The exam typically includes written papers and practical and oral components covering medical-surgical nursing, midwifery, community health, paediatric nursing, mental health and professional practice. Results are published by the BNMC. Degree graduates are examined by their universities and then registered with the BNMC.
Registration and renewal
- After passing, apply to the BNMC for registration with your certificates, marksheets and identification.
- Pay the registration fee through approved channels.
- Receive your registration certificate and number.
- Renew your registration periodically as required by the BNMC, keeping evidence of continuing practice and education.
Nurses applying to work abroad usually need BNMC verification or a certificate of good standing sent to the foreign regulator. Keep your registration current to avoid delays.
Nurses’ associations in Bangladesh
Several organisations represent nurses and midwives in Bangladesh, including the Bangladesh Nurses Association, long the main professional association for nurses, along with midwives’ and specialist nurse associations. They advocate on pay, posts, career structure, education and recognition of nursing, and work with the government and international partners on workforce development. Membership details and activities are best checked directly with each organisation.
Challenges in Bangladeshi nursing
- Shortages: Bangladesh has far fewer nurses than recommended relative to its population and its number of physicians.
- Heavy workloads in government hospitals, especially in medicine and obstetrics wards.
- Quality of private institutions: rapid expansion of private nursing institutes has raised concerns about clinical training quality.
- Career progression: nurses have campaigned for better grades, promotion pathways and leadership positions.
Bangladeshi nurses abroad
Bangladeshi nurses work in the Gulf states, the Maldives and elsewhere, and interest in international careers is growing. Typical requirements include BNMC verification, two or more years of experience, English test scores and passing the destination country’s licensing exam. See our guides to the Maldives Nursing and Midwifery Council and nursing in the Middle East. Use only licensed recruiting agencies registered with the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), and avoid paying large fees to brokers.
Nursing and midwifery education in more detail
Bangladesh has both government and private nursing institutions. Government nursing colleges and institutes are managed under the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery and affiliated with universities for degree programmes. Private institutes have expanded rapidly to meet demand, which has increased access to nursing education but also raised concerns about uneven quality, faculty shortages and limited clinical placements. The BNMC’s role in approving institutions, setting curricula and conducting licensing exams is central to maintaining standards.
Midwifery education has received particular attention because of Bangladesh’s efforts to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. The Diploma in Midwifery, supported by development partners, prepares professional midwives to work in public facilities, including sub-district health complexes.
Career pathways in Bangladesh
- Senior Staff Nurse in government hospitals, the main entry-level post after registration.
- Nursing supervisors, matrons and nursing superintendents in hospital management.
- Nursing instructors and lecturers in nursing institutes and colleges, often requiring a BSc or MSc.
- Public health and community nursing roles, including in maternal and child health programmes.
- Private hospital nurses, particularly in Dhaka and Chattogram.
- Non-governmental organisations working in health, including humanitarian response in Cox’s Bazar.
Tips for nurses registering with the BNMC
- Make sure your name and date of birth are identical on all certificates and your national identity card.
- Keep copies of your marksheets, certificates and registration certificate in both paper and digital form.
- Note your registration renewal date and renew on time.
- Follow official BNMC notices for exam schedules, results and fees rather than social media rumours.
- Pay fees only through official channels.
Frequently asked questions
What is the BNMC?
The Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council, the regulatory body for nursing and midwifery education and practice in Bangladesh.
What is the difference between the BNMC and the DGNM?
The BNMC regulates education, licensing and registration; the DGNM manages government nursing and midwifery services and institutions.
Can Bangladeshi nurses work abroad?
Yes, after meeting the destination country’s requirements, which usually include verification from the BNMC, experience and an English test.
But how can Bangladesh keep its nurses while they look abroad?
Like many countries, Bangladesh faces a balance between training nurses for its own health system and supporting individuals who want international careers. Better pay, career structures, safe staffing and continuing education are the most effective ways to keep experienced nurses at home, while ethical recruitment agreements can make migration fairer for those who go.
Your next step: If you are a Bangladeshi nurse, check the expiry date of your BNMC registration today and keep scanned copies of your certificates and registration ready for any future applications.
Related: Nursing councils of the world · Fake nursing recruitment agencies: red flags
Sources: Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council (national portal); Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery; Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training. Rules change; check official sources.
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