Nursing Registration Renewal Requirements Compared: UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand

Every nursing council asks nurses to show they are still safe and up to date. The details, such as how often, how many hours and what evidence, differ by country.

Imagine moving from the UK to Australia and assuming renewal works the same way. Then you find out you need to log CPD hours every year, not every three years.

United Kingdom (NMC)

• Annual fee
• Revalidation every three years
• 450 practice hours (more for dual registrants)
• 35 hours of CPD, including 20 participatory
• Five pieces of practice-related feedback and five written reflective accounts
• A reflective discussion and a confirmer

Australia (NMBA and Ahpra)

• Annual renewal, usually due by 31 May
• At least 20 hours of CPD a year
• Recency of practice requirements
• Declarations on health, criminal history and insurance

New Zealand (Nursing Council)

• Annual practising certificate
• Continuing competence: practice hours and professional development over three years
• Random recertification audits

United States (state boards)

• Renewal set by each state, often every two years
• Continuing education hours vary by state, and some states require none
• Some states require specific courses, such as on implicit bias or opioids

Canada (provincial regulators)

• Usually annual renewal
• Quality assurance or continuing competence programmes
• Practice-hour requirements set by each province or territory

Tips for any country

• Keep a running CPD log and reflections
• Save evidence of practice hours
• Check rules each year, as they change

Frequently asked questions

Do overseas practice hours count?

Sometimes. Check whether your council accepts practice abroad.

What happens in an audit?

You are asked to provide evidence such as CPD records. Keep them organised.

But I’m always too busy for CPD

Many everyday activities count, such as training, reading and reflection. Log them as you go.

Sources: Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK), Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, Nursing Council of New Zealand, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Canadian provincial nursing regulators.