Part of our Nursing Councils of the World series. Last checked: November 2026.
Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, has a large and growing nursing workforce spread across thousands of islands. In 2023, the country passed a sweeping omnibus Health Law (Law No. 17 of 2023) that changed how health workers, including nurses, are registered and licensed. The most talked-about change for nurses: the STR (registration certificate) became valid for life, while the practice permit continues to be renewed.
This guide explains how nurses qualify and register in Indonesia, the national competency exam, the STR and SIP, the Indonesian National Nurses Association (PPNI), the rules for foreign health workers, and the pathways Indonesian nurses use to work abroad.
Imagine a nurse in Makassar who has renewed her STR every five years, collecting continuing education credits and paperwork each time. In 2023 she hears that her STR will now last for life. Relief mixes with questions: does she still need training? What about her practice permit? And how does this affect her plan to work in Japan? Indonesia’s new law answered some questions and created others.
Who regulates nursing in Indonesia?
Health workers in Indonesia are regulated by the Ministry of Health under Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health, which replaced several earlier laws, including the 2014 Nursing Law. Registration functions are managed through the Ministry and its health workforce councils, while local governments issue practice permits. Professional organisations such as the PPNI continue to play important roles in standards, ethics and continuing education.
Becoming a registered nurse
- Education: complete a recognised programme. Indonesia has vocational diploma nurses (D3 Keperawatan) and professional nurses (Ners), who complete a bachelor’s degree followed by a professional stage.
- National competency exam (Uji Kompetensi): pass the national competency test for your level.
- STR (Surat Tanda Registrasi): obtain your registration certificate.
- SIP (Surat Izin Praktik): obtain a practice permit from the local government where you work.
What changed under Health Law 17/2023
- STR valid for life: the registration certificate no longer needs renewal every five years, reducing administrative burden.
- SIP still renewed: the practice permit remains time-limited, and continuing competence is tied to it.
- Digital integration: registration and licensing are moving onto integrated Ministry of Health digital systems.
- Professional organisations’ role changed: some functions previously required from professional associations, such as recommendations for permits, were reduced or reorganised, which generated debate among health professions.
- Foreign health workers: the law created clearer pathways for some foreign and overseas-trained health workers (see below).
Many details are set out in government and ministerial regulations, which continue to be issued and updated, so check the latest rules.
Foreign and overseas-trained nurses
Under Law 17/2023:
- Indonesian citizens who trained abroad must have their qualifications assessed by the Ministry of Health for administrative completeness and practice capability, followed by an adaptation programme at a health facility, before receiving an STR and SIP.
- Foreign nationals may practise only in limited circumstances, mainly at the request of a health facility for specified periods and purposes such as technology and knowledge transfer, with competency evaluation and adaptation requirements. Pathways focus mainly on specialists and health workers at certain competency levels.
- Foreign health workers must obtain an STR and SIP, and meet immigration and work permit rules.
In practice, opportunities for foreign general nurses to work in Indonesia are limited.
The Indonesian National Nurses Association (PPNI)
The Persatuan Perawat Nasional Indonesia (PPNI), founded in 1974, is Indonesia’s national nursing association and a member of the International Council of Nurses. It:
- Represents and advocates for nurses’ welfare and working conditions.
- Develops the nursing code of ethics and practice standards.
- Organises continuing professional education and specialist nursing groups (ikatan) in areas such as critical care, emergency, paediatrics and community nursing.
- Supports nurses in legal and professional matters.
PPNI has branches at provincial, district and city levels across Indonesia.
Indonesian nurses working abroad
Indonesia sends nurses and care workers to many countries:
- Japan: through the Japan–Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement since 2008, nurses work as candidates while preparing for Japan’s national exam in Japanese. See our guide to nursing in Japan.
- The Gulf: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE recruit Indonesian nurses, particularly those with bachelor’s degrees and Ners qualifications. See our Middle East guide.
- Europe: Germany and the Netherlands have recruited Indonesian nurses through programmes involving language training.
Migrant workers are protected and registered through Indonesia’s migrant worker agency (BP2MI) and official placement schemes. Avoid unofficial agents.
Working conditions in Indonesia
- Large differences exist between urban hospitals in Java and remote facilities in eastern Indonesia.
- Many nurses work on contracts with modest pay, especially honorary (honorer) staff in the public sector, whose status has been the subject of government reform.
- The national health insurance scheme (JKN) has increased demand for health services and nurses.
Nursing education in Indonesia
Indonesia has a large number of nursing schools, both public (including Ministry of Health polytechnics, known as Poltekkes) and private. The main routes are:
- D3 Keperawatan: a three-year vocational diploma producing vocational nurses.
- S1 Keperawatan plus Profesi Ners: a four-year bachelor’s degree followed by about a year of professional clinical education, producing professional nurses with the title Ners.
- Applied bachelor’s programmes (D4/Sarjana Terapan) at some polytechnics.
- Master’s and specialist programmes, including nurse specialist (Ners Spesialis) programmes in fields such as medical-surgical, maternity, paediatric, community and mental health nursing.
Quality varies widely between institutions, so national competency exams play a key role in ensuring minimum standards.
The national competency exam
Nursing graduates sit a national competency exam (Uji Kompetensi Nasional) before they can register. The exam uses computer-based multiple-choice questions focused on clinical decision-making across nursing specialties. Candidates who do not pass can retake it, and institutions with low pass rates face scrutiny. Many graduates prepare through campus tryouts and review classes.
Practical steps for Indonesian nurses planning to work abroad
- Keep your STR details and certificates organised, with certified translations into English or the destination language.
- Gain at least two years of hospital experience, ideally in a high-demand specialty.
- Prepare for language requirements: Japanese for Japan, German for Germany, English (IELTS or OET) for most other destinations.
- Apply through official government-to-government schemes or licensed agencies, registered with the national migrant worker protection agency.
- Never pay illegal placement fees or hand over your original documents to agents.
Frequently asked questions
Is the STR valid for life in Indonesia?
Yes. Under Law 17/2023, the STR is valid for life, while the SIP (practice permit) must still be renewed.
What is PPNI?
The Indonesian National Nurses Association, founded in 1974, which represents nurses and develops ethics, standards and continuing education.
Can foreign nurses work in Indonesia?
Only in limited circumstances, at a facility’s request, after competency evaluation and adaptation, with an STR, SIP and work permit.
But does a lifetime STR mean no more learning?
No. The lifetime STR removes repeated paperwork, but keeping your practice permit, staying safe and advancing your career still depend on continuing education. Nurses who keep learning will be best placed to benefit from Indonesia’s growing health system and from opportunities abroad.
Your next step: Check the expiry date of your SIP today and set a reminder six months before it, together with a plan for the continuing education you will need.
Related: Nursing councils of the world · Nursing in the Middle East
Sources: Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health (Republic of Indonesia); legal analyses of the omnibus Health Law (2023–2024); Indonesian National Nurses Association (PPNI); International Council of Nurses. Implementing regulations change; check official sources.
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