Every licensed nurse and midwife in Nigeria must renew their practicing license every three years to legally continue working in the profession. If you’re wondering how to renew your nursing license in Nigeria, this guide breaks down the entire process, from CPD requirements to payment and document upload, so you can complete it without stress or delays.
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Under Section 5 of the Amended Decree 54 of 1988, no nurse is permitted to practice in Nigeria unless licensing fees have been paid as prescribed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). This means renewal isn’t optional; practicing on an expired license can attract penalties and even legal consequences.
Why You Need to Renew Your Nursing License in Nigeria
The NMCN issues practicing licenses that remain valid for three years. Once that period elapses, the license must be renewed before you can continue working in any hospital, clinic, or healthcare facility in Nigeria. Failure to renew your nursing license in Nigeria on time attracts a default penalty for every year the renewal is overdue, so it’s best to start the process before your current license expires.
Read Also: Best Nursing Schools in Nigeria 2026: Full List of NMCN-Accredited Schools by State
HISTORY OF THE NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF NIGERIA
In the colonial era of our great country, Nigeria, Nursing was among the first five recognised and accepted professions, gaining a recognition that was transferred even to the independent, sovereign government of the country after 1960. Nursing and Midwifery services were elevated and given very important positions of honour as some of the best professions in the country due to their relevance and direct impact to the life, health and well-being of the individual family and community.
In order to modernize Nursing Education and Practice in the colony so as to cope with the developmental pace, the British colonial Government made sure to introduce, gradually, nursing and midwifery education on a formal basis, so as to ensure that qualified nurses armed with the necessary skills would render modern and scientific nursing and midwifery care to the civil servants and their families.
In 1930, the Midwives Ordinance which founded the now defunct Midwives Board was empowered to regulate midwifery education and practice in the country and in 1947, the Nursing Council of Nigeria was established by the Registration of Nurses Ordinance of August 1947 in order to regulate and control the education and practice of Nursing in Nigeria.
READ ALSO: History of Midwifery in Nigeria: Everything you need to know
General Requirements to Renew Your Nursing License in Nigeria
Before you begin the online application, gather the following documents and credits:
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit units: a total of 6 credit units is required. You can obtain 3 units through the World Continuing Education Alliance (WCEA) 30-hour online courses and HealthLearn to earn your certificate in just 3 hours on the Newborn Care Foundation course, which is approved for Continuing Professional Development Points for nurses and midwives by NMCN.
Physical Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme (MCPDP) Unit Credit: You must have atleast 1 physical MCPDP if you are a local Nurse otherwise you will be considered as a DIASPORA NURSE and each Mcpdp is 3 units and you must do one physical through any NMCN-accredited physical Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme (MCPDP) provider. Nurses in the diaspora are required to complete all units via the WCEA platform with an active subscription.
- A recent colored passport photograph with a plain white background (scanned copy).
- Your original Certificate of Registration issued by the Council (scanned copy).
- Certificate of attendance for the MCPDP program (scanned copy).
- Proof of payment for the renewal fee, generated through REMITA.
NB: NMCN have Increased the fee for MCPDP from #20,000 to #40,000 But in some state is #30,000
Nurses and Midwives Exempted From Continuing Professional Development Programme
Not everyone is required to present MCPDP credits when they renew their nursing license in Nigeria. The following categories are exempted:
- Undergoing accredited post basic Programmes
- Undergoing full times Nursing Courses in Conventional Universities
- 12 Months Post Graduation from full time Nursing Courses in Conventional Universities
- Diaspora
- Retired Nurse
If you fall into any of these categories, select the appropriate exemption option on the NMCN portal during your application rather than uploading MCPDP certificates, and attach the supporting documents listed above instead.
Requirements Documents to Upload for Exemption from Continuing Professional Development Programme (CPDP)
Undergoing accredited post basic Programmes
- Admission letter
- Introduction letter from head of institution
- Students Identity Card
Undergoing full-time Nursing Courses in Conventional Universities
- Admission letter
- Introduction letter from head of institution
- Students Identity Card
12 Months Post Graduation from full-time Nursing Courses in Conventional Universities
- Graduation Certificate
Diaspora
- Data page of International Passport
- Visa Page of International Passport
- Certificate of Continuing Professional Development Programme Attended
Retired Nurse
- Upload a Course Module/course organize by NMCN
- Retirement letter
- Retirement Date
Read Also: Understanding Nursing Council Exam Formats Across African Countries
Step-by-Step Process on How to Renew Your Nursing License in Nigeria
Below are complete guide on how to renew your nursing license in Nigeria. Once your documents and CPD credits are ready, follow these steps to complete your license renewal:
Step 1: Complete Your CPD Credit Units
Log in to the WCEA platform to complete your required online CPD hours, or attend an NMCN-accredited physical MCPDP program. Your completed credits are automatically reflected in the Council’s records, which is what allows the renewal application to proceed.
Step 2: Visit the Official NMCN Licensing Portal
Go to the official renewal portal at licence.nmcn.gov.ng to begin your application. If you’re a first-time user, you’ll need to sign up before logging in.
Step 3: Upload Your Supporting Documents
On the portal, upload:
- Your recent colored passport photograph (white background)
- Your Certificate of Registration
- Your MCPDP certificate of attendance
Make sure each file is compressed and within the accepted size limit, as the portal typically only accepts one file per document category.
Step 4: Generate Your REMITA Payment Invoice
On the license renewal page, generate a REMITA Retrieval Reference (RRR) to make your payment. The standard renewal fee is ₦13,125 for the three-year cycle, with a yeraly penalty charge of ₦6,562 for overdue licenses. These fees are periodically reviewed by the Council, so always confirm the current amount on the portal before paying.
Step 5: Make Payment
You can pay directly from your phone using online banking through the REMITA platform linked on the renewal page.
Step 6: Confirm Your Application Status
After payment, your application status should change to “Pending NMCN Approval.” A payment receipt will be sent to your registered email; check your spam folder if it doesn’t arrive. If you don’t receive it, you can request a resend directly from the REMITA receipt portal.
Step 7: Print and Keep Your Receipt
Always print and retain your payment receipt for future reference, as you may need it for verification, employment checks, or in case of any processing delays.
If you’re wondering how to renew your nursing license in Nigeria, follow the above simple steps.
What If You Lost Your Nursing License?
If your original license was lost, the process to renew your nursing license in Nigeria differs slightly. You’ll need to:
- Fill and submit the licensing form on the NMCN portal
- Submit a formal application letter for license re-issuance
- Provide photocopies of your certificate of registration
- Attach a photocopy of the lost license, if available
- Obtain a sworn court affidavit
- Get a police extract if your license was still current at the time it was lost
- Pay the mandated re-issuance fee through the Council’s designated payment channel
Tips to Avoid Delays When You Renew Your Nursing License in Nigeria
- Start your CPD units early — don’t wait until your license is close to expiry.
- Double-check that your passport photograph meets the white-background requirement before uploading.
- Keep your registration number and email address handy, as these are required throughout the application.
- Confirm current fees on the official portal, since NMCN reviews charges periodically.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often do I need to renew my nursing license in Nigeria? Every three years. The NMCN practicing license is valid for a three-year cycle, after which renewal is mandatory to continue practicing legally.
How much does it cost to renew a nursing license in Nigeria? The standard renewal fee is ₦13,125, plus a penalty of ₦6,562 for each year of default, if applicable. Fees may be reviewed periodically by the Council.
Can I renew my nursing license in Nigeria from abroad? Yes. Nurses in the diaspora can renew through the same NMCN portal, but they must complete all 6 CPD credit units via the WCEA platform with an active diaspora subscription.
What happens if I don’t renew my nursing license on time? You may be barred from practicing legally, and you’ll incur a default penalty for every year of delay, in addition to the standard renewal fee.
Where do I go to renew my nursing license in Nigeria? All renewals are processed through the official NMCN licensing portal
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Conclusion
Learning how to renew your nursing license in Nigeria doesn’t have to be complicated once you understand the requirements and steps involved. Complete your CPD credits early, gather your documents, and process your payment through the official NMCN portal to avoid penalties or interruptions to your practice. Staying on top of your renewal not only keeps you compliant with the law but also protects your career and professional standing as a nurse or midwife in Nigeria.
Understanding how to renew your nursing license in Nigeria is essential for every practising nurse. A valid licence protects your professional status, ensures legal compliance, and strengthens your career opportunities both within Nigeria and internationally.
Need Help Renewing Your Nursing Licence?
Still finding it difficult on how to renew your nursing license in Nigeria, even after following this guide? Don’t worry, you don’t have to go through the process alone.
Whether you’re experiencing issues with the NMCN portal, payment, MCPDP requirements, document uploads, or your application is delayed, our team is here to help.
📩 Reach out to us today for personalized guidance and support on how to renew your nursing license in Nigeria. We’ll walk you through the renewal process step by step to ensure your license is renewed correctly and on time.
Sources
- NMCN Official Licensing Portal – https://licence.nmcn.gov.ng — where you actually apply for and complete your license renewal.
- NMCN Official Website / MCPDP Guidelines – https://nmcn.gov.ng/mcpdp-guidelines/ — the Council’s official continuing education guidelines, including rules for accredited providers.
- NMCN Code of Conduct page – https://nmcn.gov.ng/code-of-conduct/ — for professional conduct standards tied to licensing.
