Application process
Information about how to apply for the RCSI Overseas Aptitude Test is available below.
Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery
Information about how to apply for the RCSI Overseas Aptitude Test is available below.
All future test dates are provisional.
Upon receipt of a complete application, an invitation is sent within three working days for the test open at the point of application. If a preferred MCQ date, from the below list, is written on the proof of payment, an invitation will be sent if a place is available. Please note that the preferred MCQ test date cannot be less that nine weeks from the date of complete application (unless you are living in Ireland and/or you have all the required documentation). If a place is not available as requested then the nearest available match will be given. There is no guarantee that a preferred date will be available. This must be considered when deciding on contract dates with prospective employers.
A test typically opens approximately 3.5 months in advance to afford time to complete the necessary steps below and to allow for preparation time.
You must be ready for the test date nine days in advance of a test date – including having your entry visa, flight ticket and passport in hand. This is to allow for booking confirmation. Only one test is open at a time – as soon as one test is full, the next one opens.
Please note that test dates may change and if so then the applicants concerned will be emailed.
Possible Theory/MCQ | Possible Practical/OSCE | Possible repeat Practical/OSCE |
2 July 2022 | ||
9 July 2022 | ||
2 July 2022 | 3 July 2022 | 23 July 2022 |
9 July 2022 | 10 July 2022 | 23 July 2022 |
7 August 2022 | 13 August 2022 | 27 August 2022 |
13 August 2022 | 14 August 2022 | 27 August 2022 |
14 August 2022 | 20 August 2022 | 10 September 2022 |
27 August 2022 | 28 August 2022 | 10 September 2022 |
28 August 2022 | 3 September 2022 | |
10 September 2022 | 11 September 2022 | |
11 September 2022 |
17 September 2022 |
|
1 October 2022 | 2 October 2022 | |
2 October 2022 | 8 October 2022 | |
5 November 2022 | 6 November 2022 | |
6 November 2022 (postponements) | 12 November 2022 (postponements) | |
26 November 2022 | 27 November 2022 | |
21 January 2023 | 22 January 2023 |
Please note: It is not planned to hold a test (except for one day for repeats) in December 2022. Tests do not take place on a weekend that is linked with a public/bank holiday in the Republic of Ireland.
Apply to the NMBI for a recognition of qualifications, which involves comparison of your qualifications with the Irish education standards and requirements.
Possible outcomes:
Click here for more information.
One of the compensation measures is the RCSI FNM Aptitude Test for Overseas Nurses.
Before you apply for a place on the test you are strongly encouraged to fully familiarise yourself with all of the information contained on these webpages. You should consider if you are: a) eligible to take the test; b) ready/prepared to take the test; and c) interested in taking the test.
You will need to complete an online application and upload four documents with your application:
Note: Please do not commence application until you have the four documents ready for uploading.
If you require it, application is made (without delay) for an Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) letter of approval. Provided all required documentation is submitted in a satisfactory manner this can take a minimum of four weeks. RCSI cannot answer any queries in relation to immigration requirements; please refer to immigration.
Application should be made, without delay, for an entry visa. Supporting documents required may include your NMBI decision letter and your AWS letter of approval. RCSI cannot answer queries in relation to immigration requirements, including employment needs, please refer to immigration. Provided all required documentation is submitted in a satisfactory manner this can take a minimum of eight weeks.
Two weeks prior to a test date each applicant will be sent a booking confirmation form plus supporting information. No further reminders or follow-ups will take place. Each applicant is responsible for ensuring they receive the booking confirmation form directly from RCSI FNM only.
The completed booking confirmation form must be returned by 10am (Irish Standard Time) on the Thursday: nine days before the test date.
The booking confirmation form cannot be returned unless the applicant is sure they are going to attend. The applicant must have in hand their passport and entry visa and flight ticket (if required) before completing the booking confirmation form.
A correctly completed booking confirmation form will be acknowledged by 2pm (Irish Standard Time) on the Thursday: nine days before the test date. At this point the list for the test is closed. If the correctly completed booking confirmation form is not received by the due time and date, then the applicant will be postponed to the postponement date listed in the test dates section above.
Subsequently when the applicant is fully ready, they can apply to go on a waitlist for an earlier test date (step 6).
To avoid unnecessary test date changes, please consider the following:
Applicant checks
To allow for the various processes required between receiving an invitation to the test and the date of your test, a test opens on average 3.5 months in advance. To avoid unnecessary postponements, each applicant must carry out frequent checks, including:
Applicant checks regarding quarantine/isolation, COVID-19 testing and other requirements
For the purpose of the RCSI FNM Overseas Aptitude Test, an applicant is strictly considered by RCSI as a healthcare worker (HCW) in relation to quarantine/isolation and COVID-19 testing requirements. This is the case whether or not an applicant has an employer (public or private) in the Republic of Ireland.
An applicant must adhere to the Health Service Executive (HSE) requirements for HCWs that are current at the time of the test.
An applicant is responsible for ensuring that they are familiar with the most current HSE requirements including any change in the lists of countries that have/have not an 'emergency brake' applied (designated and non-designated countries).
Derogations as referenced in the HSE document do not apply to the Overseas Aptitude Test.
Applicants are advised to check with their prospective employer if there is any requirement beyond that detailed by the HSE.
RCSI cannot answer any queries regarding HSE requirements.
An applicant must not present for any part of the Aptitude Test if they:
An applicant must:
Please note that confirmation of an Overseas Aptitude Test date must be submitted by an applicant to RCSI on or before 12 days prior to the test date. This confirmation includes that the applicant will strictly adhere to the HSE quarantine/isolation and COVID-19 testing requirements and RCSI FNM requirements.
Failure by an applicant to adhere to the HSE requirements and RCSI FNM requirements will have consequences including prevention from attending the Overseas Aptitude Test at that time.
In the case where an applicant is arriving into the Republic of Ireland only to do the Overseas Aptitude Test and then returning home, all of the above applies but the possibility of needing to repeat the test must also be considered.
For more information, refer to (but ensure the most current):
What to bring to the test
Cancelled test
Ongoing postponements continue to be an issue. If there is a high number of postponements for a test, then it will be cancelled and an alternative date will be offered.
Process regarding postponements
Withdrawal
Change in agent/prospective employer
If an applicant changes agent and/or employer, then the following process must be followed:
Please note: An applicant can only have one application at a time for the test.
Change in passport details
If you change your passport after you apply for the test, please do not email RCSI about it. Photocopy the biog/photo page of both passports, staple them together and bring them to the theory part of the test.
Wait list – application for earlier test date
Application to go on a wait list for an earlier test date (Please note that the wait list will be deleted 10 days before the test.) |
1: NMBI Reference Number |
2: RCSI number |
3: Applicant name |
4: Agent |
5: Prospective employer |
6: Is applicant now in Ireland? (Yes or No) |
7: Does applicant have Entry Visa? (Yes or No) |
8: Does applicant have ATWS? (Yes or No) |
9: Current test date |
10: Specific earlier test date/s requested (must be highly likely will make the test date and that there is sufficient time to prepare for the test) |
11: Additional comments, if required |
If any aspect of your application changes, please email marianeary@rcsi.com.
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. Unless specifically requested, you do not need to bring any documentation with you.
Results of OSCEs/practical test are issued via email by 2pm on the Tuesday 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.
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 as an RGN. 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. Click here for more information.
RCSI has now completed its communication regarding the Aptitude Test and wishes each applicant a happy and successful career.
If you have any queries, please: