Overseas Aptitude Test – General Nurse

Step 1: Apply to NMBI

Apply to the NMBI for a recognition of qualifications, which involves comparison of your qualifications with the Irish education standards and requirements.

Possible outcomes:

• qualifications recognised
• submit missing document(s)
• qualifications refused for recognition
• a compensation measure is required

Click here for more information.

One of the compensation measures is the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test for Overseas Nurses.

Step 2: Prepare to apply for the test

Before you apply for a place on the test you are strongly encouraged to fully familiarise yourself with all of the information contained in this website. You should consider if you are:

• eligible to take the test
• ready/prepared to take the test
• interested in taking the test

If required, you should have a prospective employer; an employment contract. 

Step 3: Apply for the test

You will need to complete an online application and upload four documents with your application. Do not commence application until you have the four documents ready for uploading:

• Recent photograph
• Biography/biometrics page of passport/ID
• Proof of payment (refer to Fees page)
• NMBI decision letter that must: be in date; state it is the General Nurses Division that applies to your application; and state that you need to successfully complete a compensation measure and that one of the compensation measures is the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test for General Nurses.

Upon receipt of a complete application for the test, an invitation is sent within five days.

Step 4: Obtain an Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) letter of approval

Application should be made for an AWS letter of approval. Allow sufficient time and check the website for expected time required. RCSI cannot answer any queries in relation to immigration requirements (please refer to the Irish Immigration Service).

Step 5: Obtain an entry visa

Application should be made for an entry visa. Allow sufficient time and check the website for expected time required. RCSI cannot answer queries in relation to immigration requirements, including employment needs (please refer to the Irish Immigration Service).

Step 6: Confirm your place

Two weeks prior to a test date, RCSI FNM sends you further information regarding your test together with a booking confirmation form. The completed form must be returned by 10am (Irish Standard Time) on the Thursday (10 days before the test date). The completed form cannot be returned unless you are sure you are going to attend and you must have in hand your passport and entry visa and flight ticket (if required).

Step 7: Present for the test

MCQ: You are required to bring your passport plus a one-page copy of the biography/photo page of the passport. If you have got a new passport since applying for the test then bring both passports and a one-page copy of the biography/photo page of both passports.

OSCE: As the practical part is a simulated setting, you are required to present as if you are working in the clinical environment, taking into account all aspects pertaining to comfort, clothes (uniform) footwear, hair style, make-up and jewellery.

Step 8: Results

Results of the theory test are issued via email by 6pm on the day of the test. If you are successful in the theory test, you are invited to the OSCEs/practical test.

Results of OSCEs/practical test are issued via email by 2pm on the Wednesday following the test. If you pass then your results are sent to the NMBI, where you can then progress with your registration.

If either part of the test is failed on the first attempt, then a proposed date for the repeat is offered. If an applicant fails either part of the test on the second attempt, then the NMBI is informed.

Step 9: Registration with NMBI

When an applicant successfully completes the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test for Overseas Nurses, NMBI is informed. NMBI then emails the applicant advising how to proceed with the application for registration. The applicant can track the progress of the application via the MyNMBI online portal. The applicant must ensure that they have logged in to their account and updated their personal information to ensure that they receive this email.

Please direct all further queries to NMBI. RCSI cannot answer any queries regarding registration with the NMBI. You can find more information here.

RCSI has now completed its communication regarding the Aptitude Test and wishes each applicant a happy and successful career.

Test dates have been included here to help with planning. There are 61 tests planned for 2023 with a capacity of 4,264 places. The highest annual uptake since the test commenced in 2015 has been 2,576; therefore, a potential capacity increase of 1,688 places. Please refer to this page for any changes to test dates.

Provisional dates for Q1 2024 are also included. 

An applicant must be ready for the test date nine days in advance of a test date, including having the entry visa, flight ticket and passport in hand. This is to allow for booking confirmation.

The NMBI decision letter must be in-date on the first day of the test.

Please note: Tests do not take place on a weekend that is linked with a public/bank holiday in the Republic of Ireland.

Postponement

If you change your test date you must be sure you comply with all immigration-related documentation (AWS letter of approval and entry visa). The onus is on you to ensure all documentation remains in date to include NMBI-related documentation plus immigration-related documentation.

You will be postponed to a date after the test date that is open when your postponement request is processed. Submit the following to marianeary@rcsi.com.

• Applicant name as per passport
• Applicant eight-digit RCSI ID number
• Agent
• Prospective employer
• Current test date
• Reason for postponement
• Are all parties are aware of postponement? (applicant/agent/prospective employer)

Preferred date

The preferred date, which must be written at the end of the proof of payment, cannot be less than 12 weeks from the date of complete application for the test (unless you are living in Ireland and/or you have all the required documentation).

There is no guarantee that a preferred date will be available. This must be considered when deciding on contract dates with prospective employers. If a place is not available as requested then the nearest available match will be given.

If a preferred date is not requested, then the test date open at the point of a completed application is given.

Earlier test date request

If you change your test date you must be sure you comply with all immigration-related documentation (AWS letter of approval and entry visa). The onus is on you to ensure all documentation remains in date to include NMBI-related documentation plus immigration-related documentation.

Apply only to go on wait list for an earlier test date if highly likely applicant will make the date. Please allow sufficient time to prepare for the test before going on a wait list for an earlier test date.

The requested test date cannot be less than 12 weeks from the date of the request (unless you are living in Ireland and/or you have all the required documentation). Allow five days for a reply. There is no guarantee that a requested date will be available. If not available, then you will be given an alternative date (a date after your stated earliest test date above) if available, or put on wait list if a test date is not available. This must be considered when deciding on contract dates with prospective employers or when booking a flight. In the event that an earlier test date is offered and not taken up, then postponement will be to postponement date when the offer is not taken up.

The wait list will be deleted 10 days before the test. Before submitting, all parties (applicant/agent/prospective employer) must be in agreement.

Submit the following to marianeary@rcsi.com.

• Application form to go on wait list for an earlier test date
• Applicant name as per passport
• Applicant eight-digit RCSI ID number (in your invitation email)
• Agent
• Prospective employer
• Current test date
• Specify the earliest test date requested
• Answer all the following:
  a. Are you living in Ireland? Answer: Yes/No
  b. Do you have an entry visa? Answer: Yes/No/Not needed
  c. Do you have an appointment for entry visa? Answer: Yes/No/Not needed (if yes specify date)
  d. Do you have your ATWS letter of approval? Answer: Yes/No/Not needed
  e. Does your AWS communication indicate you need a new test date? Answer: Yes/No (if yes enclose evidence)
  f. When does your IELTS/OET expire? (do not enclose)
  g. What date was your NMBI decision letter issued? (do not enclose)
  h. Are all parties in agreement with the request? (applicant/agent/prospective employer)

Cancellation of a test

A test may be cancelled, for example, if there is an insufficient number of applicants. If a test is cancelled, then an alternative date (may be earlier or may be later) will be offered to any applicant on the list.

Withdrawal from test

Submit the following to marianeary@rcsi.com.

• Applicant name as per passport
• Applicant eight-digit RCSI ID number
• Agent
• Prospective employer
• Current test date
• Specific reason for withdrawal
• Are all parties aware of the withdrawal? (applicant/agent/prospective employer)
• Who paid the test fee directly to RCSI?
• How much was paid

Note: Refer to 'Unused fees' on the Fees page.

Change in agent/prospective employer

An applicant can only have one application at a time for the test. You must withdraw, in writing, from the initial agent and/or prospective employer before commencing with another agent and/or prospective employer. The written evidence, together with the below form, must be submitted to marianeary@rcsi.com. Upon satisfactory receipt of same, the initial application will be withdrawn and a new application made then be made.

• Applicant name as per passport
• Applicant eight-digit RCSI ID number
• Current test date
• Agent at point of initial application
• Prospective employer at point of initial application
• Have you included written evidence of leaving initial agent and/or prospective employer?