A Comparison of Regulatory Standards for Initial Registration/Licensure of Internationally Educated Nurses in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States

This article describes and compares regulatory standards for registration/licensure of internationally educated nurses in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States. Specifically, the article provides a detailed account of the regulatory requirements regarding education, language proficiency, national licensure exam, registration/licensure in the home country, recency of practice, fitness to practice, and transition programs. The four countries share many regulatory requirements for registration/licensure of internationally educated nurses. The most noticeable difference is whether international nurse applicants must go through a tailored transition program. Regulatory challenges and their implications are described within national and international contexts.