Nursing Council of Kenya 2025 Examination Timetable and Guidelines.
The Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) is responsible for ensuring that all nurses meet the required competency standards before they commence their practice. To achieve this, the council conducts examinations through designated regional centers. The registration portal for these exams is now open, with the following deadlines for withdrawal: 11th April 2025 for the May exams, 18th July 2025 for the August exams, and 17th October 2025 for the November exams.
Important Highlights
- NCK evaluates nurses’ competency before granting them the right to practice.
- The examinations are conducted at regional centers, and the registration portal is currently open for applications.
- The deadlines for exam applications are 21st March 2025 (May session), 20th June 2025 (August session), and 30th September 2025 (November session).
- The exams are scheduled across three different months: May, August, and November 2025.
The Nursing Council of Kenya was established under the Nurses and Midwives Act, Cap 257 of Kenyan law. As a corporate body, its primary role is to establish and uphold standards for nursing and midwifery education and practice across the country.
The council’s mission is to regulate and enforce these standards, ensuring public safety and confidence in the profession. To achieve this, NCK builds the capacity of nurses and midwives through training, registration, and regulation of their professional conduct. Additionally, NCK collaborates with national, regional, and international organizations to ensure a well-regulated nursing profession.
Key Responsibilities of NCK
- Establish and enhance standards across all nursing specialties.
- Improve community healthcare through elevated nursing practices.
- Provide training and educational pathways for registration and enrollment (with Cabinet Secretary approval).
- Conduct licensing examinations for prospective nurses (subject to Cabinet Secretary approval).
- Regulate the use of badges worn by registered nurses.
- Recommend institutions for approval by the Cabinet Secretary.
- Monitor and uphold the professional conduct of registered nurses.
- Ensure high standards of nursing care.
NCK Exam Registration Process
The registration for the May 2025 NCK Licensing Examination is open to all eligible candidates. As outlined in an official NCK circular, applicants must have their exam applications submitted by their respective training institutions.
Steps to Register:
- Once your institution submits your details, you will receive a registration link via email.
- Open your registered email and click on “Complete Exam Application” to update your profile.
- You will be redirected to the NCK portal.
- Click on the “Exams” button to proceed.
- Complete the required payment to finalize your application.
NCK Exam Schedule
The NCK exam timetable has been released, providing details on the exam papers, schedules, and dates. The mock exams are set in three phases: the first from 21st to 23rd May, the second from 13th to 15th August, and the final from 12th to 14th November 2025.
May 2025 Examination Timetable
The following programs will have their exams on 21st May 2025:
- Kenya Registered Paediatric Nurse (KRPAEDN)
- Kenya Registered Midwife (KRM)
- Kenya Registered Paediatric Critical Care Nurse (KRPAEDCCN)
- Kenya Registered Palliative Care Nurse (KRPCN)
- Kenya Registered Oncology Nurse (KRON)
- Kenya Registered Nurse Anaesthetist (KRNA)
- Kenya Registered Ophthalmic Nurse (KROPN)
- Kenya Registered Mental Health & Psychiatry Nurse (KRMH&PN)
- Kenya Registered Nurse (KRN)
- Kenya Registered Perioperative Nurse (KRPON)
- Kenya Enrolled Community Health Nurse — Basic (KECHN B)
- Kenya Registered Critical Care Nurse (KRCCN)
- Kenya Registered Nephrology Nurse (KRNN)
- Kenya Registered Trauma and Emergency Nurse (KRT&EN)
- Kenya Registered Neonatal Nurse (KRNeoN)
Exams scheduled for 23rd May 2025 include:
- Kenya Registered Nurse Midwife (KRN/M)
- Kenya Registered Nurse/Mental Health Nurse (KRN/MHP)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
- Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (BScM)
- Kenya Enrolled Midwife (KEM)
- Kenya Enrolled Nurse (KEN)
The application deadline was 21st March 2025, followed by a withdrawal deadline on 11th April 2025. The first mock exams are set from 14th to 18th April 2025, with a second round scheduled from 21st to 25th April 2025. Exam rehearsals are planned for 20th May 2025, while results will be officially released on 30th June 2025.
This structured and streamlined approach ensures that all nursing candidates are well-prepared for their exams and future professional responsibilities.
August Examination Schedule
Exam Dates and Programs
The following examinations are scheduled to take place on 13th August 2025:
- Kenya Registered Paediatric Nurse (KRPAEDN)
- Kenya Registered Midwife (KRIM)
- Kenya Registered Paediatric Critical Care Nurse (KRPAEDCCN)
- Kenya Registered Palliative Care Nurse (KRPCN)
- Kenya Registered Oncology Nursing (KRON)
- Kenya Registered Nurse Anaesthetist (KRNA)
- Kenya Registered Ophthalmic Nurse (KROPN)
- Kenya Registered Mental Health & Psychiatric Nurse (KRMH&PN)
- Kenya Registered Nurse (KRN)
- Kenya Registered Peri-operative Nurse (KRPON)
- Kenya Enrolled Community Health Nurse — Basic (KECHN B)
- Kenya Registered Critical Care Nurse (KRCCN)
- Kenya Registered Nephrology Nurse (KRNN)
- Kenya Registered Trauma and Emergency Nurse (KRT&EN)
- Kenya Registered Neonatal Nurse (KRNeoN)
On 15th August 2025, the following programs will have their examinations:
- Kenya Registered Nurse Midwife (KRN/M)
- Kenya Registered Nurse/Mental Health Nurse (KRN/MH)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
- Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (BScM)
- Kenya Enrolled Midwife (KEM)
- Kenya Enrolled Nurse (KEN)
- Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing – Basic (KRCHN B)
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 20th June 2025
- Withdrawal Deadline: 18th July 2025
- First Mock Exams: 21st – 25th July 2025
- Second Mock Exams: 28th July – 1st August 2025
- Rehearsals: 12th August 2025
- Final Results Declaration: 30th September 2025
November Examination Schedule
The following exams will be conducted on 12th November 2025:
- Kenya Registered Paediatric Nurse (KRPAEDN)
- Kenya Registered Midwife (KRM)
- Kenya Registered Paediatric Critical Care Nurse (KRPAEDCCN)
- Kenya Registered Palliative Care Nurse (KRPCN)
- Kenya Registered Oncology Nursing (KRON)
- Kenya Registered Nurse Anaesthetist (KRNA)
- Kenya Registered Ophthalmic Nursing (KROPN)
- Kenya Registered Mental Health & Psychiatric Nurse (KRMH&PN)
- Kenya Registered Nurse (KRN)
- Kenya Registered Peri-Operative Nurse (KRPON)
- Kenya Enrolled Community Health Nurse – Basic (KECHN B)
- Kenya Registered Critical Care Nurse (KRCCN)
- Kenya Registered Nephrology Nurse (KRNN)
- Kenya Registered Trauma and Emergency Nurse (KRT&EN)
- Kenya Registered Neonatal Nurse (KRNeoN)
On 13th November 2025, the Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing – Basic (KRCHN B) exam will take place.
On 14th November 2025, the scheduled exams include:
- Kenya Registered Nurse/Mental Health Nurse (KRN/MH)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
- Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (BScM)
- Kenya Enrolled Midwife (KEM)
- Kenya Enrolled Nurse (KEN)
- Kenya Registered Nurse Midwife (KRN/M)
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 30th September 2025
- Withdrawal Deadline: 17th October 2025
- First Mock Exams: 21st – 24th October 2025
- Second Mock Exams: 27th – 31st October 2025
- Rehearsals: 11th November 2025
- Final Results Declaration: 16th December 2025
NCK Exam Structure
The Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) examination consists of four distinct papers for general nursing candidates, while other cadres are required to sit for three papers. Each paper is designed to assess the competency levels expected of professionals in nursing and midwifery.
Candidates are encouraged to review past NCK exam papers to familiarize themselves with the exam format and question styles.
NCK Resit Exam Policy
Candidates are permitted to retake the NCK exams a maximum of four times. To progress, they must satisfy the Board of Examiners for each paper before receiving approval. Only upon meeting these requirements will they be eligible for enrolment, registration, and licensing.
Approved NCK Examination Centers
Examinations will be conducted at the following approved centers across Kenya:
- Kakamega County: Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
- Mombasa County: Mombasa Technical Training Institute
- Bomet County: Tenwek Mission School of Nursing
- Meru County: Meru Technical Training Institute
- Kisumu County: Kisumu Polytechnic
- Machakos County: Scott’s Theological College
- Embu County: Government Training Institute
- Kisii County: St. Paul’s Nyabururu Teachers Training College
- Kiambu County: Mt. Kenya University, Thika
- Garissa County: NEP Technical Training Institute
- Nairobi County: Cicely McDonnell School of Nursing | KMTC
- Homa Bay County: Maseno University-Homa Bay Town Learning Center
Read Also: Why CBC is Denying Education to the Poor
Important Reminder
The registration deadline for the August 2025 NCK exams is 20th June 2025. Early registration is strongly encouraged to avoid last-minute complications and ensure sufficient preparation time for the exams.
Disclaimer: This article is solely for informational purposes and is not affiliated with any third party. It does not serve as professional advice and should not be relied upon for decision-making. Any actions taken based on this information are at the reader’s own discretion and responsibility.
Nursing Council of Kenya 2025 Examination Timetable and Guidelines.
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