Ghana Nursing and Midwifery Licensing Exam 2027: Dates, Registration, PIN and Results

Every year, thousands of nursing and midwifery graduates in Ghana sit the licensing examination of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana (NMC). Passing it is the key that unlocks a provisional licence, national service, a Professional Identification Number (PIN) and a career as a registered nurse, midwife or nurse assistant. Failing it can mean months of waiting before another attempt.

This guide explains how the licensing examination is organised, when it has usually been held, the programmes and phases, eligibility, the multiple-choice and practical components, results, registration and PIN, what foreign-trained nurses need to know, and a practical study plan for candidates sitting the examination in 2027.

What is the NMC Ghana licensing examination?

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana is the statutory body that regulates nursing and midwifery education, registration and practice in Ghana. Before graduates of approved nursing and midwifery programmes can be registered, they must pass the Council’s licensing examination. The examination assesses whether candidates have the knowledge and practical competence to practise safely.

The examination covers several programmes, including:

• Registered General Nursing (RGN).
• Registered Midwifery (RM).
• Registered Mental Health Nursing (RMN).
• Registered Community Nursing (RCN) and other community programmes.
• Registered Paediatric Nursing (RPAED) and other specialty programmes such as public health nursing.
• Nurse Assistant programmes, Nurse Assistant Clinical (NAC) and Nurse Assistant Preventive (NAP).

When does the licensing exam usually hold?

The Council publishes a timetable for each examination. In 2025, for example, the published timetable placed the multiple-choice papers for local candidates in April and early May, with separate dates for Nurse Assistant programmes, Registered General Nursing (in two phases) and the midwifery and other specialty programmes, and practical examinations held earlier in the cycle. In some years, the Council has had to postpone examinations, so dates can shift.

For foreign-trained nurses and midwives, the Council has indicated that the written licensing examination is held twice a year, in June and December.

For 2027: the Council has not yet published the timetable at the time of writing. Expect the timetable for local graduates to be announced ahead of the examination period, and watch for official notices on the Council’s website (nmc.gov.gh) and verified social media channels. Your training institution will also receive official communication.

Eligibility: who can sit the exam?

To sit the licensing examination as a local candidate, you generally must:

• Have completed an approved nursing or midwifery programme at an accredited training institution in Ghana.
• Have been properly indexed by the Council during your training.
• Have satisfied your institution’s requirements, including clinical hours and internal examinations.
• Be registered for the examination through the official process, with fees paid.

If you are unsure whether your programme or institution is accredited, check the Council’s list of accredited institutions. See our guide to accredited nursing schools in Ghana.

Exam format: MCQs and practicals

The licensing examination for local candidates has two main components:

Written multiple-choice questions (MCQs)

Candidates answer objective questions covering the core curriculum of their programme. For RGN candidates, expect questions on medical-surgical nursing, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, maternal and child health, mental health, community and public health, nursing ethics and law, and professional practice. Midwifery candidates focus on pregnancy, labour, the postnatal period, newborn care and obstetric emergencies.

Practical examinations

Practical examinations assess clinical competence in real or simulated settings. Candidates are observed performing procedures and caring for patients, and may be asked questions about their actions. Common areas include patient assessment, vital signs, wound care, medication administration, aseptic technique, catheterisation, admission and discharge procedures, and, for midwifery candidates, antenatal examination, conduct of normal delivery and newborn care.

Both components matter. Prepare for the practicals as seriously as for the MCQs.

Results

The Council announces results after marking is complete. Candidates receive a results slip, a letter from the Council confirming that they passed. Check the Council’s official notices and your training institution for result release information, and be cautious of unofficial websites and social media posts claiming to show results or offering to change them for money.

If you fail one component, ask your institution and the Council about resit arrangements and deadlines.

After you pass: registration, provisional licence and national service

The Council’s registration process for local graduates follows clear steps:

1. Visit the Council’s regional office in the region where your training institution is located.
2. Present your results slip, the letter confirming you passed the licensing examination.
3. Complete the registration form and pay the non-refundable registration fee.
4. Receive your log book and provisional licence, together with a code for national service registration.
5. Complete your rotation or national service, using the log book to record your clinical experience.
6. Return your log book and provisional licence to the same regional office at the end of the rotation or service.
7. Receive your PIN and certificate of registration. Nurses and midwives receive a Professional Identification Number (PIN), while Nurse Assistants receive an Auxiliary Identification Number (AIN).

National service postings for nurses and midwives are managed through the National Service Authority. In early 2026, for example, the Authority released PIN codes for over 6,000 nurses and midwives for the 2026/27 service year and set registration deadlines. Watch for similar announcements for 2027/28 and register promptly.

Keeping your PIN active

After registration, nurses and midwives must renew their licence regularly and meet continuing professional development (CPD) requirements set by the Council. Keep records of your CPD activities and renew on time. Our NMC Ghana PIN renewal and CPD guide explains renewal, CPD points, verification and discipline in detail.

Foreign-trained nurses and midwives

Nurses and midwives trained outside Ghana who want permanent registration must, according to the Council:

• Submit documents including a transcript of training, passport photographs, a birth certificate, professional certificates (with originals for inspection), a marriage certificate where applicable, two employer testimonials covering at least one year of practice, the last appointment letter, verification of registration from the original council or board, and evidence of English proficiency. Documents not in English must be translated.
• Pass the written licensing examination, which the Council indicates is held in June and December.
• Complete registration and pay the registration fee, which the Council lists as US$125 or the cedi equivalent.
• Complete a three-month practical orientation at a teaching, regional or Council-accredited hospital, with registration based on satisfactory performance.

Fees and requirements can change, so confirm with the Council before applying.

A 10-week study plan for the 2027 licensing exam

Weeks 1 and 2: organise

• Gather lecture notes, textbooks, past questions and your practical procedure checklists.
• Take a diagnostic practice test to find weak areas.
• Draw up a weekly timetable with time for MCQs and practicals.

Weeks 3 to 6: content review

• Revise system by system: cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, neurological, endocrine, musculoskeletal and reproductive.
• Cover maternal and child health, paediatrics, mental health and community health.
• Practise drug calculations daily.
• Learn Ghana’s national guidelines on malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, immunisation and maternal health.

Weeks 7 and 8: practicals

• Practise every procedure on your checklist in the skills lab until it is fluent.
• Practise explaining the rationale for each step out loud.
• Run mock practical examinations with classmates acting as examiners.

Weeks 9 and 10: exam conditions

• Take full timed MCQ papers and review every mistake.
• Revise summary notes on high-yield topics.
• Rest well before the examination days.

Nursing and midwifery programmes covered by the licensing exam

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana (N&MC) regulates several categories of nurses and midwives, and each has its own licensing examination. Programmes commonly include:

• Registered General Nursing (RGN): diploma and degree programmes preparing general nurses for hospitals and clinics.
• Registered Midwifery (RM): preparing midwives to care for women and newborns before, during and after birth.
• Registered Mental Health Nursing (RMN): preparing nurses for psychiatric and community mental health care.
• Registered Community Health Nursing and Public Health Nursing: focusing on preventive care, health education and community outreach.
• Nurse Assistant programmes (clinical and preventive): certificate-level programmes with their own examinations and registration.

Make sure you know exactly which examination category applies to you, because papers, practicals and registration fees differ.

Indexing: the step many students forget

Before you can sit the licensing examination, your training institution must have indexed you with the council during your programme. Indexing records you as a recognised student and links you to an approved institution. Students who were not indexed, or whose details were entered incorrectly, can face serious delays. If you are still in school:

• Confirm with your school administration that you have been indexed and that your name, date of birth and programme are correct.
• Keep a copy of any indexing confirmation.
• Report errors early; corrections close to exam time are harder.

Common mistakes that delay candidates

• Name differences between your birth certificate, school records and Ghana Card.
• Missing registration deadlines or paying into unofficial accounts.
• Not checking the official timetable and centre allocation.
• Arriving without the required identification or examination slip.
• Assuming that passing the written paper alone is enough when a practical component is required.
• Relying on social media rumours instead of official N&MC announcements.

Follow the council’s official website and verified social media pages for timetables, results and announcements.

Working in Ghana after you are licensed

Once you have your PIN and complete any required rotation or national service, most nurses and midwives seek employment in the Ghana Health Service, teaching hospitals, Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) facilities, private hospitals or quasi-government institutions. Recruitment into public service is usually managed through official clearance processes, and there can be long waits for financial clearance before salaries start. Practical advice:

• Keep all certificates, your PIN, national service documents and Ghana Card ready in both paper and scanned forms.
• Watch for official recruitment announcements from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service.
• Be wary of anyone requesting money to “secure” public sector postings.
• Consider gaining experience in high-demand specialties, such as midwifery, critical care, emergency, or mental health nursing.

Thinking of working abroad later?

Ghana-trained nurses and midwives are respected internationally, and many consider working abroad after gaining experience. Important points to know:

• Verification: overseas regulators will ask the N&MC to verify your registration and good standing. Keep your licence active and your details up to date.
• Experience: most overseas employers prefer at least one to two years of post-registration experience.
• English tests: some regulators require IELTS or OET even though Ghana’s training is in English, while others accept evidence of English-medium education. Check the requirements of your target country.
• Ethical recruitment: Ghana is on the World Health Organization’s health workforce support and safeguards list. Countries such as the UK follow codes of practice that restrict active recruitment from countries on this list, although individuals can still apply on their own initiative. Understand how this affects recruitment agencies.

Compare destinations in our guide to the best countries to work as a nurse.

Supporting your wellbeing before the exam

The licensing examination comes at the end of years of study and clinical placements, often with financial pressure from family expectations. Look after yourself in the weeks before the exam:

• Set a realistic study timetable that includes rest days.
• Study with classmates to share notes and practise practical procedures.
• Eat regular meals and stay hydrated, especially in hot weather.
• Limit time on social media groups that spread anxiety or rumours.
• Talk to a tutor, chaplain, counsellor or trusted senior nurse if stress becomes overwhelming.

Remember that thousands of candidates pass every year, and many who fail at first succeed on their next attempt with better preparation.

Checklist for 2027 candidates

1. Confirm your indexing details with your school.
2. Check the official N&MC announcements for registration dates and fees.
3. Register and pay only through official channels.
4. Download and print your examination slip once available.
5. Confirm your exam centre and travel plan.
6. Prepare identification documents that match your registration.
7. Plan for practical examinations as carefully as for the written papers.
8. After results, follow the official process for registration, PIN and rotation.

What examiners look for in the practical examination

Practical examinations assess whether you can deliver safe, competent and respectful care. While each paper has its own marking scheme, examiners commonly look for:

• Preparation: greeting the patient, introducing yourself, explaining the procedure and obtaining consent.
• Infection prevention: hand hygiene at the right moments, correct use of gloves and other protective equipment, and safe disposal of sharps and waste.
• Systematic assessment: using the nursing process to assess, identify problems, plan, implement and evaluate care.
• Accuracy: correct vital signs measurement, medication calculations and documentation.
• Communication: clear, respectful communication with the patient and relatives, and appropriate reporting to the examiner as if to a senior colleague.
• Safety: patient identification, positioning, privacy and comfort throughout.

Practise each procedure aloud with a colleague acting as patient. Saying what you are doing and why helps examiners see your reasoning and helps you avoid skipping steps under pressure.

Career growth after licensure in Ghana

Passing the licensing examination is the start of a career with many directions. Ghanaian nurses and midwives often go on to:

• Top-up degrees: diploma holders can pursue bachelor’s degrees in nursing or midwifery at accredited universities, often through sandwich or distance programmes.
• Post-basic and specialist training: in areas such as midwifery, perioperative nursing, critical care, emergency nursing, ophthalmic nursing, and mental health.
• Specialist membership and fellowship: the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives offers specialist training leading to membership and fellowship in various specialties.
• Education and leadership: roles as tutors, preceptors, ward managers and public health coordinators.
• Research and postgraduate study: master’s and doctoral programmes in nursing, midwifery and public health.

Keeping a record of your continuing professional development from the start makes licence renewal easier and strengthens applications for promotion, further study and international work.

Understanding your result

When results are released, read the official notice carefully. Results typically show whether you have passed each component. If you have passed some parts but not others, the council’s rules determine which parts you need to retake and when. Do not rely on second-hand interpretations from social media groups; check the official guidance or ask your school’s examination officer. If you believe there is an error in your result, use the council’s official procedure for queries within the stated deadline.

Advice for parents and sponsors

Families often invest heavily in a nursing education, and the licensing examination can feel like the moment that investment is tested. If you are supporting a candidate:

• Give them quiet time and space to study in the final weeks, and reduce household duties where possible.
• Help with practical needs, such as transport to the exam centre, meals and fees paid through official channels.
• Avoid comparing them with siblings or classmates; pressure rarely improves performance.
• If the result is disappointing, focus on the plan for the next attempt rather than blame.
• Protect them from people offering paid “help” with results or postings; these offers are scams.

Encouragement and practical support from family make a real difference. Many nurses who now lead wards and teach students remember the person who believed in them during their licensing year.

Staying informed through 2027

Dates, fees and procedures can change from one sitting to the next. Bookmark the council’s official website, follow its verified pages, and check announcements from your school regularly. Note every deadline in your phone calendar with a reminder a week before, so a missed date never costs you a whole examination cycle.

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2027 NMC Ghana licensing exam?

The 2027 timetable has not been published at the time of writing. In 2025, local MCQ papers were held in April and May. Watch the Council’s official notices.

How do I get my PIN after passing?

Register at the Council’s regional office with your results slip, complete your rotation or national service with your log book and provisional licence, then return them to receive your PIN and certificate.

How much does registration cost?

The Council charges a non-refundable registration fee. For foreign-trained nurses and midwives, it lists US$125 or the cedi equivalent. Confirm current fees with the Council.

Can I work before I receive my PIN?

You work under your provisional licence during rotation or national service, as arranged through the official process. You become fully registered when you receive your PIN.

What happens if I fail the practical but pass the MCQs?

Ask your institution and the Council about resit arrangements for the component you failed.

But what if the exam is postponed?

Postponements have happened in some years. If the 2027 examination is rescheduled, rely only on the Council’s official announcements, keep revising on your plan, and use the extra time for additional practical practice. A postponement is frustrating, but it does not change what you need to know to pass.

Related: NMC Ghana licensing, PIN renewal and CPD guide · Accredited nursing schools in Ghana

Sources: Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana (registration procedures, foreign-trained applicant requirements, 2025 licensing examination timetable), National Service Authority announcements for 2026/27 nurses and midwives. 2027 dates are not yet published; always confirm with the Council.