This blog is related to become a registered or enrolled nurse in Singapore nursing board(SNB). Have you ever thought of challenging yourself to work in a new country? .I understand that moving to another country for work is an important and difficult decision to make.
Singapore nursing board website— https://www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/snb
Quick Answer
Foreign-trained nurses and midwives who wish to work in Singapore must be registered or enrolled with the Singapore Nursing Board. To apply, the candidate must first secure an employment offer from an eligible Singapore healthcare institution. The employer HR submits the SNB application, and the process may include document verification, licensure examination, competency assessment, and provisional registration/enrolment.
Who Can Apply for SNB Registration?
Foreign-trained nurses and midwives can apply if they have completed a recognised nursing or midwifery programme, hold registration from the country where they were trained, have a current practising licence, and have relevant clinical practice within the past 5 years.
According to Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH), nurses are classified as “Registered Nurse”(RN) and “Enrolled Nurse”(EN). Registered nurses can specialize their nursing skills in different practices, and can further their career as an Advance Practice Nurse (APN) which includes Nurse Clinician, Nurse Educator, and Nurse Manager.
To be classified as a registered nurse, the person must have attained at least one of the following qualifications from MOH – recognized institutions:
- Diploma in Nursing / Diploma in Health Sciences (Nursing)
- Accelerated Diploma in Nursing
- Degree in Nursing(BSN)
To enrol in the courses to get these qualifications, applicants need O-Levels, A-Levels, or diploma and degree qualifications. Enrolled nurses are those who assist the Registered Nurses same as assistant nurses and can upgrade to be a Senior Enrolled Nurse to take on higher nursing responsibilities. For enrolled nurses, the minimum entry requirement for course qualification is an N-Level certificate. They must also have acquired a “Nitec” diploma or its equivalent in nursing.
Advanced practice nurses (APN) are a subset of registered nurses in Singapore. APNs can sub -specialize into different disciplines. They are currently certified in these four specialities: acute, medical or surgical care, community and mental health.
- a) Acute care APNs practise in the intensive care units and emergency departments;
- b) Medical or surgical APNs can function in general and specialized clinical settings such as oncology, gerontology, cardiology and neurology;
- c) Community APNs care for patients with common acute conditions & chronic conditions at the polyclinics( outpatient clinics) and the community;
- d) Mental health APNs can function in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings.
SNB Application Process for Foreign Nurses
- Secure employment offer from eligible Singapore healthcare institution
- Employer HR checks eligibility with SNB
- Employer submits SNB registration/enrolment application
- Candidate provides required documents
- Nursing council sends verification directly to SNB
- Educational institution sends transcript directly to SNB
- SNB assesses the application
- Candidate may receive Authorisation to Test for Pearson VUE exam
- Candidate completes licensure exam if required
- SNB may require competency assessment or provisional registration
- Employer receives the application outcome from SNB
Documents Required for SNB Registration
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Employer cover letter | Required |
| SNB application declaration pages | Required |
| Passport-size photo | Required |
| Passport / NRIC | Required |
| Work pass | If applicable |
| Name change proof | If applicable |
| Nursing transcript with theory and clinical hours | Required |
| Graduation / training certificate | Required |
| Registration certificate | Required |
| Current practising licence | Required |
| Employment evidence | Required |
| Service gap letter | Required if gap is more than 1 year |
SNB Licensure Examination Update
The SNB Licensure Examination is now scheduled through Pearson VUE after SNB authorises the candidate. The candidate must have an employment offer from an eligible Singapore employer. After SNB approval, Pearson VUE sends an Authorisation to Test email, and the candidate can book the exam date and test centre within the authorised period. Pearson vue exam can be written from your home country.
Proof of Identity for SNB Pearson VUE Exam
Candidates must bring a valid passport to the test centre. The passport details must match exactly with the details used by the employer during SNB exam registration.
SNB Pearsonvue exam study materials: https://nursingmanthra.com/product/nursingmanthras-review-material-for-singapore-registered-nurse-written-examinations/
Common Reasons for SNB Application Delay or Rejection
- No Singapore employer offer
- Employer not eligible to submit application
- Missing current practising licence
- No recent clinical practice within 5 years
- Transcript does not mention theory and clinical hours
- Nursing council verification not sent directly to SNB
- Institution uses unofficial email like Gmail/Yahoo
- Name mismatch in documents
- Unclear or cropped scans
- Missing English translation
- Long service gap without explanation letter
FAQs:
For foreign-trained nurses, SNB requires an offer from an eligible Singapore healthcare institution. The employer HR submits the application.
Yes. After SNB authorises the candidate, Pearson VUE sends the Authorisation to Test email for exam booking.
Yes. SNB requires relevant clinical nursing or midwifery practice within the past 5 years.
No. Verification must be sent directly from official institutional or regulatory authority email.
No. SNB informs the application outcome through the employing healthcare institution.
SNB Fees Details 2026 – Singapore Nursing Board
Below are the official SNB fee details for foreign-trained nurses/midwives applying for Singapore Nursing Board registration/enrolment.
Approximate Total Initial Cost for Foreign-Trained RN
| Stage | Fee |
|---|---|
| SNB Application Fee | S$60 |
| Pearson VUE SNB Exam Fee | S$85 + GST |
| SNB Registration Fee | S$55 |
| Practising Certificate Fee | S$55 |
| Approximate Total | S$255 + GST on exam fee |
For SNB Singapore Nursing Board application support, exam booking guidance, and study materials, contact Nursing Manthra:
WhatsApp: https://wa.me/971502515717
Dubai/UAE: +971 502 515 717
India: +91 6828756689
👩⚕️ About the Author
Shincy George, RN, MSN (Cardiothoracic Nursing), SCFHS-RN, DHA RN, MOH UAE RN, NCLEX-RN (USA), is the Founder of Nursing Manthra Academy.
With extensive international clinical and academic experience, she is dedicated to guiding healthcare professionals through global licensing pathways. Through Nursing Manthra, she supports internationally educated healthcare professionals in achieving their career goals across Canada, USA, UAE, Middle East, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries.
Her mission is to simplify complex licensing processes and empower healthcare professionals with the right knowledge, guidance, and support to succeed globally. 🌍
I am looking for singapore nursing jobs
Sorry dear, Job recruitments are not doing under nursing manthra. We can assist you for document clearance for your license
Diploma nursing from Alison online E lerning University is valid for SNB exam
Dear
As per my knowledge all distance educations are not approved by any of the authorities as health care professionals are directly providing patient care. Concerned to patient safety it is recommended to have a active enrollment , regular mode of study in any education related to health care field. Thank you
Hi, I have passed the board examination year 2014. Do I need to take another exam or do I just need to activate my license? Thank you
it depends on somany factors. kindly email to the authority with your documents
Hi, my HR had helped me to submitted my online application last year December, and till now Mid-March i’m still waiting for approval. Is it normal to wait for this long? Thanks!
Dear, Kindly contact us through WhatsApp number +971502515717