SIFE: Supporting information from Employer, 7 important things you need to know

Supporting information from Employer

Many international nurses applying for UK NMC registration worry about the English language requirement. While most applicants use IELTS or OET results, some nurses may qualify through an alternative route called Supporting Information from Employer.

This option allows eligible nurses to prove their English language ability through their employer instead of taking another English test.

In this article, we explain what it is, who can use it, what documents are needed, and what referees must provide — all in simple

terms.

What Is “Supporting Information from Employer”?

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) allows some international nurses to use employer confirmation as evidence of English language competence.

This means your employer can confirm that:

• You have worked safely in English
• You communicate effectively with patients and colleagues
• Your English skills meet professional nursing standards

Instead of submitting IELTS or OET results, the employer provides official supporting information directly related to your work performance.

Who Can Use This Option?

This route is usually for nurses who:

• Have already worked in an English-speaking healthcare environment
• Are currently working in countries where English is the main language used in clinical practice
• Can provide strong employer references confirming their communication skills

The NMC will assess each application individually.

What Does the Employer Need to Confirm?

The employer must clearly confirm that the nurse:

• Uses English daily in clinical practice
• Can communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare staff
• Writes accurate nursing documentation in English
• Practices safely without communication concerns

The employer should also confirm:

• Length of employment
• Job role and responsibilities
• Clinical setting where the nurse works

Who can use SIFE? 

SIFE is supplementary evidence, which means that we can only accept it alongside other forms of English language evidence. Applicants may be eligible to use SIFE if they have: 

• Completed a pre-registration programme which was taught and examined in English, in a country where English is not the majority spoken language 

or  

• Attempted two English language tests and have narrowly missed the required score in any one language domain by no more than 0.5 in IELTS or half a grade in OET  

To use SIFE, the applicant must have: 

• Been working in a non-registered role in a UK health or care setting, for a minimum of 12 months full-time (or full time equivalent), at the point they submit their NMC application 
• Been working with the same employer for at least 12 months, and had the same line manager for at least 6 months 
• Had no more than two line managers over the whole 12-month period 

The SIFE reference must be from the applicant’s current employer. This means the applicant must still be working with the employer who provided SIFE at the point when they submit their completed NMC application.  

Who can provide SIFE? 

SIFE must be provided by the applicant’s line manager, who should be an NMC registrant at NHS Band 6 (or non-NHS equivalent) or above.

SIFE must be counter-signed by a senior member of staff at the same employer, who should be an NMC registrant at NHS Band 8a (or non-NHS equivalent) or above.

Please note the line manager and counter-signatory must be two different individuals.

We can accept supporting information from up to two line managers (at the same employer) to cover the 12-month period. In this scenario, both line managers will be required to complete the SIFE form, in addition to the counter-signatory.

The SIFE process  

The key steps in this process are: 

• Applicants who are eligible and wish to use this evidence type should first speak to their employer about the possibility of using SIFE. 
• The employer should consider whether they are able to support the applicant by providing this evidence. Line managers should refer to the information on these pages to assess whether they have seen enough evidence of the applicant’s English language competence. 
• If the employer agrees to provide SIFE, the line manager(s) and counter-signatory supporting the application will need to provide their name and PIN for the applicant to enter into their MyNMC registration application. 
• The applicant can then nominate their employer to provide SIFE via their MyNMC registration application. 
• When the applicant has completed this step, the line manager(s) will automatically receive a link to provide SIFE information via their own MyNMC account. 
• When providing SIFE, the line manager will need to confirm, using Yes/No responses, whether they have seen the applicant demonstrate key competencies in their use of English (for example, interacting with patients and people who use services). 
• The line manager will also need to confirm basic details about the applicant’s employment (for example, their contract type and dates of employment). 
• When the line manager has completed the relevant sections, they will need to submit this information via their MyNMC account. 
• The counter-signatory will then receive a link to provide their SIFE information via their own MyNMC account.  
• When the counter-signatory has completed their sections, they can submit their information via MyNMC. 

Please note that if you are a line manager or counter-signatory providing SIFE, the applicant will need to ask you for your PIN to enter into their MyNMC application. Using the PIN enables us to verify that you are an NMC registrant and helps to prevent any potential fraudulent activity. 

Links to provide SIFE can only be forwarded to the email addresses registered on the line manager and counter-signatory’s MyNMC account. These may not be the same as any work email address. This is to assure us that the person providing SIFE is an NMC registrant.  

We will notify the applicant once the link to provide SIFE has been sent. Please check your spam folder if you haven’t received this link. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

1. Log into your myNMC account
2. Go to the ENGLISH SECTION
3. Select MY TRAINING
4. Select NO on the next question
5. You will be asked to provide your SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT
6. You will be asked to upload evidence that your education was done in English (from school)
7. Put in Name and PIN of your first referee (NHS BAND 6 OR Equivalent)
8. Put in the Name and PIN of counter signee (NHS BAND 8A or equivalent)
9. NMC will send them a link to COMPLETE the process
10. You have wait for NMC TO REVIEW the application.

The NMC will contact you if they need further information. Benefits of Using Employer Supporting Information

Many nurses choose this route because:

• It may reduce the need to retake IELTS or OET
• It recognizes real workplace communication skills
• It can save time and money for experienced nurses

However, applicants should ensure they fully meet the NMC guidance before applying.

Tips for International Nurses

• Speak with your employer early about the reference
• Choose a referee who knows your work well
• Ensure the letter is detailed and professional
• Check all NMC requirements carefully before submission
• Keep copies of all documents

The Supporting Information from Employer route can be a helpful alternative for international nurses applying for UK NMC registration. It gives experienced nurses an opportunity to demonstrate their English language ability through real clinical practice instead of relying only on exam scores.

The key is providing clear, honest, and professional evidence from a trusted employer who can confidently confirm your communication skills in the workplace.

Before applying, always review the latest NMC guidance to ensure you meet the current requirements.