Everything you need to know about the Nursing Council of Kenya Licensure Exam: structure, 2026 schedule, registration, DigiProctor, grading, past papers, and revision resources. Kenya’s most comprehensive NCK guide, all in one place.
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Section 1
The Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) Licensure Examination — also known as the Final Qualifying Examination (FQE) — is a mandatory, computer-based exam that every nurse and midwife must pass before they are legally permitted to practise in Kenya.
Established under the Nurses and Midwives Act, Cap 257 of the Laws of Kenya, the NCK is the sole professional regulatory body for all nursing and midwifery cadres in the country. Passing the licensure exam is the gateway to your registration certificate, your practising licence, and the start of your nursing career.
Why it matters: Without passing the NCK exam you cannot receive your nursing licence, cannot practise legally in Kenya, and cannot apply for jobs in public or private hospitals. It is the single most important milestone after graduation.
The NCK’s mandate is to ensure every nurse and midwife meets an acceptable standard of competence before entering clinical practice. The licensure exam is the mechanism through which that standard is verified. Passing it confirms that you are safe to practise independently and deliver quality care to Kenyan patients.
Every nursing graduate in Kenya must sit the NCK exam regardless of their cadre or training institution. This includes KRCHN graduates from KMTC and other diploma institutions, BScN degree graduates from universities, Higher Diploma specialty nurses (Critical Care, Oncology, Renal, Psychiatric, and more), Kenya Registered Midwives (KRM), Nurse Anaesthetists, Paediatric nurses, Ophthalmic nurses, and Palliative Care nurses.
Your university or college finals are institution-assessed and determine your academic qualification. The NCK exam is a national, independently administered licensure exam that determines whether you are legally permitted to practise. Passing your finals does not automatically mean you can practise — you must separately pass the NCK exam and receive your NCK registration certificate.
Full name
NCK Licensure Exam (FQE)
Format
Computer-Based (CBT)
Platform
DigiProctor
Question type
MCQs
Duration per paper
~2 hours
2026 Exam fee
Sittings per year
Passing score
Maximum resits
Dress code
Registration portal
Section 2
The NCK exam is structured differently depending on your cadre. Below is a complete breakdown of the three main pathways — KRCHN, BScN, and Higher Diploma — with their paper topics, formats, and direct revision links. For more details read our blog NCK Exam Format.
p1
Paper 1 — Clinical Nursing
Medical-Surgical, Pharmacology, Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Pathophysiology
p2
Paper 2 — Specialty Nursing
Community Health, Midwifery, Paediatric, Psychiatric Nursing, Management
p1
Paper 1 — Advanced Clinical Nursing
Medical-Surgical, Advanced Pharmacology, Anatomy & Physiology, Pathophysiology, Research
p2
Paper 2 — Specialty & Community Nursing
Community Health, Midwifery, Paediatric, Mental Health, Leadership & Management
p1
Critical Care (KRCCHN)
ICU care, ventilator management, haemodynamics, critical pharmacology
p2
Oncology, Renal, Psychiatric, Paediatric CC
Each specialty has its own 1-paper exam. Also: Anaesthetics, Ophthalmic, Palliative Care
The NCK exam is primarily MCQ-based, but modern sittings include clinical scenario questions — brief patient care vignettes requiring multi-step clinical reasoning. These test your ability to apply knowledge, not just recall it. This is the key reason why practising with rationale-based MCQs (rather than memorising random PDFs) gives you a decisive advantage. See our Beyond Past Papers guide → for the full breakdown.
Section 3
The NCK conducts exams three times a year. Each sitting has strict registration deadlines, withdrawal windows, and mandatory rehearsals. Plan your revision calendar around these dates.
Exam dates
18–20 February 2026
Purpose
Resits (failed Aug/Nov 2025)
App. deadline
31 December 2025
Rehearsal
17 February 2026
Results
31 March 2026 √
Exam start
13 May 2026
Exam end
15 May 2026
Withdrawal
3 April 2026
Mock 1
20–21 April 2026
Results
30 June 2026√
Exam dates
13-14 August 2026
Withdrawal
16 July 2026
Rehearsals
11 August 2026
Cadres
All cadres
Results
Due 30 September 2026
The November 2026 sitting is the next national examination for KRCHN, BScN, and most other cadres. Key dates confirmed on NCK’s official schedule:
25 August 2026
5 October 2026
15 October 2026
19–23 October 2026
26–30 October 2026
12–13 November 2026
Always verify exact dates at nckenya.com or osp.nckenya.go.ke. Dates can change. For full details including important deadlines, read our NCK Exam 2026 Schedule: Dates, Deadlines & Fees Guide →
Missing a deadline is one of the most common and avoidable reasons candidates cannot sit an NCK exam. Key dates to track: application open date, application deadline, withdrawal deadline (changing your mind after this incurs a penalty), exam centre change deadline (3 weeks before rehearsal), and rehearsal attendance (mandatory — missing it can result in disqualification).
Section 4
Registration is institution-led — you cannot apply independently. Your training institution nominates you via the NCK Online Services Portal. Here is the complete process.
1
Your institution (KMTC, university, or school of nursing) confirms you have met academic and clinical requirements, then submits your candidacy to NCK on your behalf.
2
NCK sends an activation link to your registered email. Check your spam folder. Click the link to access the NCK Online Services Portal at osp.nckenya.go.ke.
3
Log in and complete the exam application. Upload a clear ID scan and passport photo. Ensure your name exactly matches your official documents — mismatched names cause significant delays.
4
Pay through the official NCK portal payment channel. Never pay through unofficial agents. Save your payment receipt as proof of registration.
5
Choose from the approved list of centres across Kenya. Changes are only permitted up to 3 weeks before the rehearsal date — choose carefully.
6
NCK conducts mandatory rehearsals before every sitting. You must attend in person, take both mock exams, receive your NCK exam card, and sign the attendance register. Missing the rehearsal may result in disqualification.
The most frequent registration errors: submitting incomplete documents, uploading unclear photo scans, having a name mismatch between your ID and application, selecting the wrong exam centre, and missing the withdrawal deadline. Read our full NCK Registration Guide with 2026 deadlines → to avoid all of them.
Section 5
Since 2020, all NCK exams have been administered exclusively through DigiProctor — an AI-powered proctoring system that uses video recording, face recognition, and screen monitoring. Here is everything you need to know before exam day.
Bring the same laptop used during rehearsal to the actual exam
Install Chrome. No other browsers are supported by DigiProctor
Install and test the Testpad app before rehearsal day
Your face is verified against your profile photo via AI — no entry without a match
You can enter 15 minutes before your scheduled start time using your test key
If disconnected, re-enter via the same test key within the exam time window
Rehearsal is mandatory and non-negotiable. It serves three purposes: testing your hardware, verifying your DigiProctor profile, and familiarising you with the exam interface. Here is what to expect:
Section 6
Understanding the grading scale helps you set a real revision target. You need at least 49.5% to pass each paper — aim higher for Credit or Distinction.
SCORE RANGE
Fail
SCORE RANGE
Pass
SCORE RANGE
Credit
SCORE RANGE
Distinction
You need a minimum of 49.5% to pass any individual paper. You must pass each paper separately. Failing one paper does not mean you failed the entire exam — you only resit the failed paper(s).
You resit only the failed paper at the next available sitting (typically February). You are allowed a maximum of 4 resit attempts per paper. Read our NCK Resit Guide →
Results are published via the NCK Online Services Portal at osp.nckenya.go.ke. Log in with your registered credentials, navigate to “Examination Results,” and download your results slip. May 2026 results are expected by 30 June 2026. NCK also notifies candidates by email and SMS.
Section 7
Every ReviQuiz blog post, guide, and course organised by topic cluster. Click any section to expand it and find the most relevant resources for your preparation.
Vetted revision questions, free MCQs, and question banks mapped to the current NCK syllabus
NCK does not publicly release official past papers. ReviQuiz provides examiner-vetted questions compiled from 2003–2025 exam trends, university papers, and the current NCK blueprint — all with full rationales so you understand why, not just what.
Free Starter resources + full guide
Free 2026-aligned practice MCQs
Updated question sets for both cadres
What to use instead of random PDFs
Complete question bank with explanations
Complete question bank with explanations
Degree-level question bank
Degree-level question bank
Topic breakdowns, high-yield areas, and structured revision notes by subject
Knowing the NCK syllabus is the foundation of smart revision. These resources tell you exactly which topics to prioritise in each paper.
Full topic breakdown by paper and cadre
High-yield A&P areas + 10 free practice questions
Why smart revision beats cramming
Essential for clinical scenario questions
The 30-day NCK Med-Surg Module
PHC, MCH, disease control - 395 questions
Antenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn care
Child health,IMCI, growth & development
Antibiotics, medications, drugs - 600 MCQs
Targeted guides for Diploma and Degree in Nursing candidates covering Paper 1 & Paper 2
Complete KRCHN exam strategy and revision plan
Targeted MCQs, rationales & mock exams for degree nurses
All KRCHN resources in one place
All BScN resources in one place
2026 schedule, registration steps, fees, deadlines, and exam centres by county
Complete 2026 timelines and exam calendar
Step-by-step OSP portal registration guide
Full list of approved exam centres across Kenya
50+ common candidate questions answered
If you failed - here is exactly what to do, and how ReviQuiz can help
Proven tips, strategies & revision resources to pass second time
Evidence-based revision strategy for resitters
60- day plan with 2,500+ MCQs - choose BScN or KRCHN below
Kenya's only decdicated revision platform for Higher Diploma NCK candidates
All Higher Diploma resources in one place
ICU, Ventilators, haemodynamics, critical pharmacology
Coming soon: Oncology, Renal, Psychiatric, and Paediatric Critical Care NCK revision modules. Contact us to be notified when your specialty launches.
Section 8 – ReviQuiz Courses
Every course is built specifically for Kenyan nursing students by practising nurses. M-Pesa payment accepted. Instant access. DigiProctor-style timed mock exams included. Full packages are now split by cadre so the content matches your exact syllabus.
Degree-Level Revision Packages
The essential beginner-friendly starting point for degree-level candidates with 60+ days to exam.
60-day structured prep. The most chosen course by both first-timers and resitters.
The unlimited package for degree candidates who want total confidence and zero margin for error.
Diploma-Level Revision Packages
The essential beginner-friendly starting point for degree-level candidates with 60+ days to exam.
60-day structured prep. The most chosen course by both first-timers and resitters.
The unlimited package for degree candidates who want total confidence and zero margin for error.
Specialised Modules — Shared Across Both Cadres, Revise One Subject at a Time
Section 9
The textbooks your NCK syllabus is built on. Available as PDFs on ReviQuiz — read on any device, delivered instantly.
Section 10
The most common questions from Kenyan nursing students — answered clearly and directly.
The NCK exam (Final Qualifying Examination) is a mandatory, computer-based licensure exam administered by the Nursing Council of Kenya. Without passing it you cannot be legally registered as a nurse or midwife in Kenya, and cannot begin practising. It is the most important exam after your academic qualification.
Three times a year — February (resit sitting), May (main sitting), and August (mid-year sitting). The February sitting is specifically for candidates who failed the previous August exam. Registration windows open separately for each sitting with their own deadlines.
The official exam fee is KSh 8,000 per programme according to the NCK Service Charter (2025 revision). Payment is made through the official NCK Online Services Portal (osp.nckenya.go.ke). Never pay through unofficial agents or third parties.
KRCHN and BScN candidates sit 2 papers. Higher Diploma and specialty cadres sit 1 paper. Each paper is approximately 2 hours. You must pass each paper independently — failing one paper does not mean repeating the full exam.
DigiProctor is the AI-powered online proctoring platform used for all NCK exams. It uses video recording, face recognition, and screen monitoring. You need a laptop with Google Chrome and the Testpad app installed. You attend a mandatory rehearsal before the actual exam to test your setup and collect your exam card.
NCK does not release official past papers publicly. PDFs circulating on WhatsApp are often outdated or inaccurate. ReviQuiz provides examiner-vetted revision questions compiled from 2003–2025 exam trends with full rationales, mapped to the current NCK syllabus. See our PDF danger guide →
You only resit the paper(s) you failed. You are allowed up to 4 resit attempts. The next resit sitting is February. Read our complete NCK Resit Guide → for a full comeback strategy.
Registration is through your training institution — you cannot self-register. Your institution nominates you via the NCK OSP portal, you receive an email link to complete your application, then pay KSh 8,000 and select your exam centre. Read our full NCK Registration Guide →
The most effective approach: (1) Map the syllabus and know which topics are high-yield for your cadre. (2) Practise with rationale-based MCQs — not random memorisation. (3) Simulate DigiProctor timed exams at least 4 times per paper. (4) Start at least 60 days before your exam date. ReviQuiz’s Premium Course (available for both BScN and KRCHN) is structured around exactly this method.