- The NMC regulates about 867,000 nursing and midwifery professionals.
- Search by PIN, or by first and last name together; first name alone does not work.
- Status colours: Active (green), Restricted (amber), Inactive (red).
- Inactive covers people suspended or removed since 1 January 2008.
How to search
- Go to the NMC's search-the-register page.
- Enter the person's PIN. A PIN is the better key because more than one person may share a name.
- If you have no PIN, enter first and last name. The register will not search on first name alone.
- Read the status and any conditions on the entry, then compare the details against what the person told you.
- Write down the date you checked and a screenshot of the entry.
What the three statuses mean
| Status | NMC meaning |
|---|---|
| Active (green) | Effective registration with no restrictions or cautions |
| Restricted (amber) | On the register but with restrictions on practice or a caution order |
| Inactive (red) | Suspended or removed from the register since 1 January 2008 |
Two-minute checks
- PIN given in writing, and it matches the register entry.
- Name, and the field of practice (for example adult or children's nursing), match the role you are hiring for.
- Status is green. Amber needs a conversation about the restrictions; red means they cannot practise.
- Photo ID matches the name on the register.
- Registration date matches what the person stated.
Who should check
Employers should check before a start date, and agencies should check again for each placement. The NMC offers employer guidance and lets employers search several registrants at once. Patients and families can also search. A mismatch between the registration date a person gives and the date on the register is worth following up. In the Nasir case, the claimed date was 2010 and the real one 2014, and the fraud came to light when a line manager raised concerns during routine revalidation: see fake nurse consequences.
The limits of a register check
A register entry shows that someone with that PIN is registered. It does not prove the person in front of you is that person. Match the photo ID and name, and ask for the PIN in writing. Overseas recruits go through extra steps: see NMC registration for overseas nurses.
If something does not match
- Ask the person to explain, and re-check the spelling of the name and the PIN.
- If the entry still does not match, do not let them work in a clinical role.
- Use the NMC's Raise a concern process, which has information for patients, families, witnesses and employers.
- If you suspect forged documents, tell your counter-fraud lead or the police.
Myth and fact
Myth: A name search is as good as a PIN search.
Fact: The NMC says more than one person may have the same name.
Frequently asked questions
Is the NMC register public?
Yes. Anyone can search it by PIN, or by first and last name, on nmc.org.uk.
What is an NMC PIN?
The personal identification number the NMC gives each registrant. Searching by PIN is preferred because names are often shared.
Does a register check prove identity?
No. It shows registration status. You still need to match the entry to the person through photo ID.
What does a red status mean?
Inactive in red means the person has been suspended or removed from the register since 1 January 2008.
Can I search by first name only?
No. The NMC says you cannot search using the first name alone.
How do I report a concern about a nurse?
The NMC has a Raise a concern process with guidance for patients, families, witnesses and employers.