Every nurse, everywhere, must keep their licence or practising certificate current. Miss a renewal deadline and you could be practising illegally, face late penalties, or even have to re-register from scratch. But renewal rules vary enormously: Kenya and Ghana renew every year, Nigeria and Uganda every three years, Pakistan every five years and Nepal every six. Some countries require CPD points; others require continuing education hours or a revalidation portfolio. This guide brings together renewal rules, fees and CPD requirements for 19 countries in one place.
Imagine you are at work when your manager asks to see your practising licence for an audit. You open your wallet and realise it expired three weeks ago. You have not done the required CPD, the renewal portal has closed, and you cannot work your next shift until it is sorted. Every year, nurses lose shifts, pay and sleep over renewals they meant to do “next week”. A single table and a calendar reminder can prevent it.
Fees and rules change. Figures below come from our individual council guides, which cite official sources, and were last checked in October–November 2026. Always confirm on your regulator’s website before paying.
Licence renewal at a glance
| Country (regulator) | How often | Fee | CPD / continuing education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria (NMCN) | Every 3 years | Renewal fee plus any penalty | Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme (MCPDP) certificate |
| Kenya (NCK) | Every year | KES 1,500 | At least 20 CPD points recorded on the portal |
| Ghana (N&MC) | Every year (PIN/AIN expires after 12 months) | GH¢71; US$100 equivalent for diaspora nurses | CPD points required |
| Uganda (UNMC) | Every 3 years | UGX 80,000 (registered); UGX 50,000 (enrolled) | Continuing Education Diary |
| Zambia (NMCZ) | Every year, by 31 December | K100–K500 by qualification; late penalty K490–K1,000 | CPD log book |
| Tanzania (TNMC) | Every year, online | Set by TNMC | CPD logbook |
| Rwanda (NCNM) | Every year | Renewal fee to NCNM | CPD logbook |
| Malawi (NMCM) | Every year | Annual practice fee | CPD; registration may be cancelled after 6 months without renewal |
| Zimbabwe (NCZ) | Every year | Annual fee (no advance payment) | CPD logbook |
| United Kingdom (NMC) | Annual fee; revalidation every 3 years | £143 a year | 450 practice hours, 35 hours CPD, 5 pieces of feedback, 5 reflections, reflective discussion and confirmation |
| Ireland (NMBI) | Every year | €100 annual retention fee | Professional competence requirements |
| New Zealand (NCNZ) | Every year (APC) | Set by NCNZ | 450 practice hours in 5 years; 60 hours PD in 3 years |
| Philippines (PRC) | PRC ID every 3 years, in your birth month | About ₱450 | 15 CPD units per 3-year cycle (undertaking allowed until 31 December 2026) |
| India (State Nursing Councils) | Typically every 5 years (varies by state) | About ₹500–₹1,500 | CNE credits (often 30 hours a year); NUID required |
| Pakistan (PNMC) | Every 5 years | Set by PNMC | Employer certificate for private sector |
| Nepal (NNC) | Every 6 years | NPR 1,100 within 95 days; NPR 3,500 if over a year late | New CPD requirement |
| Singapore (SNB) | Every year | Set by SNB | Mandatory CPE: 15 points (RN), 10 (EN, RM) per year |
| Malaysia (Nursing Board) | Every year (APC); renewal window March–30 September | RM10 (nurses); TPC for foreign nurses RM120 | CPD points in logbook |
| Brunei (Nursing Board) | Every year, before 31 December | Paid via OCBS portal | Practising certificate renewal form |
Why licence renewal matters
- Legal practice: in almost every country, practising with an expired licence is an offence and can lead to disciplinary action.
- Employment: employers check licences during audits, recruitment and promotion. An expired licence can mean suspension without pay.
- Insurance and indemnity: professional indemnity usually depends on a valid licence.
- Working abroad: foreign regulators ask your home council for verification or a certificate of good standing. An expired licence delays everything.
- Penalties: late renewal often costs more, and long lapses may require restoration fees, exams or re-registration.
Common requirements for renewal
- Online application through the regulator’s portal, increasingly the only route.
- Fee payment through official channels only: bank, mobile money or online payment linked to the portal.
- Evidence of continuing professional development: CPD points, logbook entries, attendance certificates or a portfolio.
- Proof of practice in some countries, such as hours worked or employer confirmation.
- Updated personal details, including address and employer.
- Declarations of health, character and any criminal or disciplinary matters.
How to never miss a renewal again
- Set two calendar reminders: three months and one month before expiry.
- Earn CPD steadily, not all in the last month. Many councils accept free online courses, in-service training and conferences. See our guide to free CPD ideas for nurses.
- Keep a digital folder with your licence, certificates, CPD evidence and receipts.
- Renew early where the portal allows; processing can take days or weeks.
- Check renewal rules before moving abroad: many nurses keep their home licence active to make verification and future moves easier.
- Never pay agents who promise to “process” renewals faster outside official channels.
Keeping your home licence while working abroad
If you work abroad, it is usually wise to keep your home licence active. Many foreign regulators require verification or a good standing certificate from your home council, and some employers ask for it at every contract renewal. Some councils, such as Ghana’s, have specific fees for nurses in the diaspora. Check whether CPD done abroad counts towards your home renewal and keep certificates in English.
Frequently asked questions
How often do nurses renew their licence?
It depends on the country: every year in Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Tanzania, Singapore, Ireland and New Zealand; every three years in Nigeria, Uganda and the Philippines (PRC ID); every five years in Pakistan; and every six years in Nepal.
What happens if my nursing licence expires?
You must stop practising until it is renewed. Expect late fees, and after long lapses you may need restoration, re-examination or re-registration.
Can I renew my licence while abroad?
Most councils now offer online renewal, but some require documents or CPD evidence that is easier to obtain at home. Check your council’s rules.
Do I need CPD to renew?
In most countries, yes, in the form of CPD points, hours, logbooks or revalidation.
But what if I am already late?
Stop practising, contact your regulator immediately, and ask exactly what you need to pay and submit. Most councils have a clear restoration process. Tell your employer honestly; it is far better than being discovered during an audit. Then set reminders so it never happens again.
Your next step: Check the expiry date on your licence or practising certificate right now, and add two reminders to your phone: three months and one month before it expires.
Related: Nursing councils of the world · Free CPD ideas for nurses
Sources: our individual Nursing Councils of the World guides, which cite each regulator’s official website and fee schedules (checked October–November 2026). Confirm current rules with your regulator.
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