NMCN Qualifying Examination for Nurses and Midwives: Registration, Format, and Preparation

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) conducts the Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE) for all general nurses, midwives, and post-basic nurses. Passing this exam is mandatory before you can receive a license to practice anywhere in Nigeria.

The PQE is a computer-based test. It is administered at designated NMCN centres across the country. To be eligible, you must have completed an accredited nursing or midwifery programme and submitted your training records through your school. Your school registers you for the exam. Private registration is not allowed. So keep a close relationship with your head of department. The exam covers four main areas: medical-surgical nursing, maternal and child health, community health, and professional ethics. Questions are multiple-choice and scenario-based. You must know your drugs, procedures, and nursing processes. Theory alone will not help. Clinical experience counts.

Preparation should start during your training. Revise your lecture notes. Use standard nursing textbooks such as Brunner and Suddarth, and Myles for midwifery. Solve past NMCN question papers. Join study groups with classmates. Practice mock tests under timed conditions. Many candidates fail because they read too late or rely on unreliable materials.

The exam fee is included in your school charges. Results are released within weeks. A pass qualifies you for licensing and the NMCN indexing. Once indexed, you are a registered nurse or midwife in Nigeria. This license is renewable every three years. Keep your certificate safe. It is your professional passport.