Part of our Nursing Councils of the World series. Last checked: October 2026.
Nurses and midwives in Brunei are regulated by the Nursing Board for Brunei Darussalam, which sits within the Ministry of Health. Its powers come from the Nurses Registration Act (Chapter 140), the Nurses Registration Regulations (S 12/2014) and the Midwives Act (Chapter 139). Brunei is a small system, but it regularly recruits experienced foreign nurses for government hospitals such as RIPAS and for private hospitals such as Jerudong Park Medical Centre.
What the Board does
- Keeps the register of nurses and midwives.
- Sets the standards and scope of nursing and midwifery practice.
- Oversees competence through training and education.
- Accredits nursing courses, both inside and outside Brunei, for registration.
- Issues and renews practising certificates (PC).
Our older posts cover the Board’s background and the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct that every registered nurse in Brunei must follow.
What the Ministry of Health asks of foreign staff nurses
A recent overseas advert from Brunei’s Public Service Commission for 70 Staff Nurse posts in the Ministry of Health set out the bar:
- Qualification: a Diploma in Nursing or equivalent recognised by the Government of Brunei. A higher qualification such as a BSc is an advantage.
- Experience: at least five years as a nurse in a hospital, in ICU (MICU or SICU), paediatrics (NICU, PICU or acute paediatrics), internal medicine, surgery or paramedic work.
- Registration: valid registration in your country of practice, and you must meet the requirements for registration with the Nursing Board of Brunei.
- Grade and pay: grade M.7 EB.8, with a salary scale of BND 1,310–1,975 a month (about USD 1,010–1,520).
Five years of specialist experience is a much higher bar than the two years usually asked for in the Gulf. Brunei is a good option for experienced ICU, paediatric and medical-surgical nurses rather than new graduates.
How registration works
- Get a job offer. Foreign nurses come in through Ministry of Health recruitment (advertised by the Public Service Commission) or through a private hospital. The employer usually arranges the work visa.
- Apply to the Nursing Board using the Registration and Application for Practising Certificate Form (Form A). Attach certified copies of your certificates, transcripts, current licence, good standing letter, experience letters and passport.
- Assessment. The Board checks that your training is equivalent. Some applicants may be asked to sit an assessment or licensure exam, so ask your employer what applies to you.
- Registration and practising certificate are issued, and you can then start work.
Renewing your practising certificate
Practising certificates are renewed every year on the “Application for Renewal of Practising Certificate” form, and fees are paid through the government’s OCBS online payment portal. The Board has already opened PC renewal for 2027, so renew before 31 December to avoid practising on an expired certificate.
Discipline
Under the Nurses Registration Act, the Board can inquire into a registered nurse’s conduct. It can remove or suspend a name from the register for professional misconduct, criminal convictions or registration obtained by fraud. Practising or calling yourself a nurse without registration is an offence. A breach of the Code of Ethics is the usual starting point for a complaint.
Contact
Nursing Board for Brunei Darussalam, 2G5:02, Level 5, Ong Sum Ping Condominium, Jalan Ong Sum Ping, Ministry of Health, Bandar Seri Begawan BA1311. Tel: +673 2230018 / 2230019.
Also in Asia: Singapore (SNB) and the Philippines (PRC).
Sources: Ministry of Health Brunei, Professional Boards page; Public Service Commission Brunei, Staff Nurse overseas advert; Laws of Brunei, Nurses Registration Act (Cap. 140) and Regulations S 12/2014. Confirm requirements with the Nursing Board before applying.