Career paths · 3 min read
Nursing jobs in Kenya: registration, enrolment and the NCK licence
Why every nursing job needs your name on the Nursing Council of Kenya register or roll, what the law says about practising without it, and how to keep your application ready.
In Kenya, nursing is a regulated profession. You cannot be employed as a nurse in a health institution unless you are registered, enrolled or licensed by the Nursing Council of Kenya, and employers face heavy fines for hiring someone who is not. Here is what the Nurses and Midwives Act says and how it shapes your job search.
Register, roll and licence
- The register: nurses and midwives who passed the Council's prescribed course and examination are entered on it (sections 12 and 13). Names stay on it on payment of a retention fee (section 12(3)).
- The roll: enrolled nurses, on the same conditions of training, examination and good character (sections 14 and 15).
- Licence records: the Council keeps separate records of nurses licensed in general nursing, midwifery, community health, psychiatric and children's nursing (section 16).
Why employers check it first
Section 22(1) makes it an offence to employ someone as a nurse in a health institution if that person is not registered, enrolled or licensed, with a fine of up to KSh 500,000, up to two years in prison, or both. The Council can also send people to inspect who a facility employs (section 22(2)).
For you, practising while eligible but not registered or licensed is also an offence, with a fine of up to KSh 100,000 or up to six months in prison (section 20(1)).
Prepare an application that passes the first check
- Your registration or enrolment number and your current licence or retention status.
- Your academic certificates and transcripts.
- Your internship or clinical placement completion letter.
- Proof of any specialty, such as midwifery or critical care, that matches the advert.
Use the title that matches your register, roll or licence (section 18). Claiming a category you are not licensed for is an offence under section 20(2).
Where the jobs are
Public hospitals and health centres are run mostly by counties, which recruit through their County Public Service Boards. Private hospitals, mission hospitals, NGOs and home care agencies recruit directly. Private practice has its own conditions, including years of experience before running a clinic or nursing home (section 17).
Sources and further reading
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Frequently asked questions
Can I work as a nurse in Kenya without an NCK licence?
No. Section 20 of the Nurses and Midwives Act makes practising without registration, enrolment or a licence an offence, and section 22 makes it an offence for a facility to employ you.
What is the difference between a registered and an enrolled nurse?
Registered nurses are on the Council's register and enrolled nurses on its roll. Both must complete the prescribed training and pass the Council's examination.
What is the fine for employing an unregistered nurse?
Up to KSh 500,000, up to two years in prison, or both, under section 22(1) of the Nurses and Midwives Act.