NMC registration guide
NMC annual registration fee 2026: what nurses need to know
The fee is set to rise on 1 October 2026. Here is how to check the amount you owe, choose a payment method and protect your registration.
At a glance
- The NMC annual registration fee increases from £120 to £143 from 1 October 2026.
- The NMC says the fee depends on when it sends your payment notification: before 1 October means £120; after 1 October means £143.
- Pay by your fee expiry date, which you can check in MyNMC.
Keeping your Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration active includes paying the annual registration fee. The NMC has announced a change to that fee, so it is sensible to check your own notification and deadline now rather than assume the same amount applies to everyone.
How much is the NMC registration fee in 2026?
Applies if the NMC sends your payment notification before 1 October 2026.
The announced fee from 1 October 2026; the NMC says a notification sent after that date carries the new amount.
The increase is £23 per year. The safest way to confirm your own charge is to read the NMC email and check the amount shown in MyNMC. If your notification arrives on 1 October itself, check MyNMC for the amount due; the NMC page specifically describes notifications sent before and after that date.
When is the payment due?
Your payment is due by your fee expiry date. You can find that date by signing in to MyNMC. The NMC says it emails a reminder 90 days before renewal if you are due to revalidate that year, or 60 days before if you are not due to revalidate.
Important: If the fee is not paid on time, your registration automatically lapses and you cannot practise until you are readmitted to the register. The NMC says readmission can take two to six weeks.
How to pay your NMC annual fee
Sign in
Open MyNMC from the official NMC website and check your fee expiry date and amount due.
Choose a method
Pay by credit or debit card, or set up an annual or quarterly Direct Debit if you have a UK bank account.
Check payment
Watch for NMC emails and confirm that your registration details are up to date.
Card instalments are not available. Quarterly instalments require a Direct Debit. The NMC does not accept American Express.
Setting up a Direct Debit
With a UK bank account, you can arrange one annual payment or four quarterly instalments in the account services area of MyNMC. The NMC says setup takes 11 days, so set it up at least 11 days before the first day of your fee expiry month. If you leave it later, you will need to make the first payment by card.
For an annual Direct Debit, the NMC normally collects payment on or around the first day of your fee expiry month. If collection fails, it tries again on or around the tenth. If the second attempt also fails, sign in and pay by card before your deadline. For quarterly Direct Debit payments, a missed instalment can cause registration to lapse if it is not paid before the end of the quarter.
Practical checks before your deadline
- Check your personal fee expiry date and the balance in MyNMC.
- Keep your email address and contact details current in MyNMC; check your junk folder for NMC messages.
- If paying by Direct Debit, ensure your account has enough funds and leave time for setup.
- If a collection fails, act on the NMC instructions promptly rather than waiting for another reminder.
Check your own NMC account
The official NMC page has the latest instructions and the link to MyNMC. Check it before making a payment.
Read the official NMC guidanceFrequently asked questions
Can I pay the NMC fee in instalments?
Yes, through a quarterly Direct Debit if you have a UK bank account. The NMC does not offer card instalments.
What happens if my annual payment is late?
The NMC says your registration automatically lapses if you do not pay by your fee expiry date. You cannot practise until readmitted, which the NMC says may take two to six weeks.
Can I get a refund if I let my registration lapse?
The NMC says it cannot refund any part of the annual fee if you decide to lapse your registration during the year. See its official refunds guidance for details.
Where can I check my fee expiry date?
Sign in to MyNMC using the link on the official NMC website. Your fee expiry date is shown in your account.
Source: Nursing and Midwifery Council, “Paying your annual fee”, checked 28 September 2026. This is an independent NursingJobsUK summary; always follow the amount and deadline displayed in MyNMC.