Open call for evidence

Using the professional title ‘nurse’ - call for evidence document

Published 30 July 2026

Introduction

The protection in law of certain professional titles is important for public safety. Protected titles are used by healthcare professionals to indicate their field of practice to patients and the public, providing assurance to the public that the person using that title is competent and safe to practise.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is responsible for regulating over 850,000 nurses and midwives in the UK, and nursing associates in England. The NMC register is a public list of these professionals. To be on the register, individuals must meet NMC’s standards and act in line with the NMC Code.

The following titles, regulated by NMC, are protected in law:

• registered nurse
• midwife
• specialist community public health nurse
• nursing associate (England only)

Protected title status means it is a criminal offence for anyone to use these titles unless they are entitled to do so under NMC’s legislative framework. In the case of the title ‘nursing associate’, the offence applies in England only; accordingly, its use in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales does not constitute an offence.

Under article 44 of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001, a person commits an offence if, with intent to deceive (whether expressly or by implication), they:

• falsely represent that they are on the NMC register, or in a particular part of it, when they are not
• use a protected title to which they are not entitled
• falsely represent that they possess qualifications in nursing or midwifery or, in England, a qualification as a nursing associate

Protecting the professional title ‘nurse’

The government believes that just protecting the title ‘registered nurse’ is not enough to sufficiently safeguard the public as some people use the title ‘nurse’ despite not being qualified, registered or otherwise entitled to present themselves in that way. This can mislead patients and the public by providing an impression that such individuals are qualified to provide a particular level of care, advice or care intervention that they are not qualified or legally entitled to provide, which puts people at risk.

This can relate to 2 categories:

• people who are not, and have never been, a qualified nurse
• people who were previously registered as a nurse and are no longer on the register

The government wants to ensure that those using the title ‘nurse’ are legitimate healthcare professionals. Currently some health and care workers use the title ‘nurse’ or have a job title that includes the word ‘nurse’ to indicate that they offer nursing-type care even though they are not ‘registered nurses’ with NMC.

The public should be confident that when someone refers to themselves as a nurse, that person has met the standards and requirements set by NMC to call themselves a nurse and be registered with NMC. The government expects that current registered nurses will continue to be able to refer to themselves as ‘registered nurses’.

As part of planned reforms to NMC’s legislative framework, which will be subject to Parliamentary approval and public consultation, the government will amend the criminal offence of ‘misuse of professional titles’ so that the title of ‘nurse’ is protected. We expect to consult on these changes in 2027. If passed by Parliament, a reasonable amount of time will be given before the new ‘nurse’ title protection comes into force to allow affected organisations and individuals time to make any necessary changes to role titles.

The effect of that reform would be to make it a criminal offence for an individual who is not a nurse registered with NMC to call themselves a nurse, including where the word ‘nurse’ appears as part of a longer job title.

By extending protection in that way, the government aims to reduce the risk of the public being misled into believing that an individual is registered or has a post-registration qualification for which NMC has set standards, when that is not the case.

For nurses who have left the profession and are no longer registered, as with other regulated professionals when they are no longer on their professional register, they may still refer to themselves as a nurse if they make it clear that they are retired or no longer registered, for example ‘nurse (retired)’ or ‘nurse (no longer registered)’.

Exemptions

The government is aware that the term ‘nurse’ is currently used in the titles of several other professions, for example, ‘dental nurse’. It is not the government’s intention to criminalise legitimate uses of the word ‘nurse’ in such contexts. For that reason, any future legislative protection for the title ‘nurse’ is likely to require carefully defined exemptions to allow other professionals to continue to use the title without the risk of prosecution.

The government’s provisional view is that any such exemptions should be no broader than is necessary, so as not to dilute the positive impact on public protection. Exemptions are most likely to be relevant where:

• the title is already well established
• the role is distinct from that of NMC registrants
• there is limited risk of public confusion or harm

Some of these job titles will already be protected under other legislation, for example, ‘dental nurse’ is protected under the Dentists Act 1984.

Purpose of the call for evidence

This call for evidence seeks views on which roles or people should be allowed to use the word ‘nurse’ in their title and therefore be exempt from prosecution.

We are also seeking views on whether any other titles related to the nursing profession should be protected under NMC’s legislative framework, for example, health visitor.

The government recognises that the word ‘nursing’ is widely used, and that some job titles include this term even where the role is not carried out by a nurse registered with NMC. We therefore invite views, as part of your response, regarding the use of the term ‘nursing’ and whether any job titles containing that word should also be considered for protected title status.

We are seeking evidence that contributes towards an understanding of:

• the professions and roles that should continue to be able to use the title ‘nurse’ without risk of prosecution
• other professional titles that should be protected under NMC’s legislative framework

We welcome views from:

• the public
• regulators, including NMC
• the Royal College of Nursing
• trade unions
• employers
• the higher education sector
• charities
• other sectors where nurse is used as part of a professional title
• other professional representatives
• the social care sector

Given the territorial extent of NMC’s regulatory framework, and the fact that professions using the title ‘nurse’ may exist across different parts of the UK, we are also seeking views from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales as part of the call for evidence.

How to respond

Please respond using the online survey.

Your response will only be considered if you reach the end of the survey and select ‘submit’.

Do not provide personal data when responding to free-text survey questions. Any personal data included will be removed prior to analysis of these responses and will therefore not be considered in the consultation outcome.

The call for evidence is open for 10 weeks and will close at 11:59pm on 8 October 2026. If you respond after this date, your response will not be considered.

If you have any queries on this call for evidence, contact regulatory.reform@dhsc.gov.uk. Do not send your answers or any personal information to this email address.

Call for evidence questions

About you

In what capacity are you responding to this survey?

• An individual sharing my own views and experiences
• On behalf of an organisation

Questions for people sharing their own views and experiences

What is your age?

• Under 16
• 16 to 24
• 25 to 34
• 35 to 44
• 45 to 54
• 55 to 64
• 65 to 74
• 75 or above
• Prefer not to say

What is your sex?

• Female
• Male
• Prefer not to say

What is your ethnic group?

• White - includes British, Northern Irish, Irish, Gypsy, Irish Traveller, Roma or any other White background
• Mixed or multiple ethnic groups - includes White and Black Caribbean, White and Black African, White and Asian or any other Mixed or multiple background
• Asian or British Asian - includes Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese or any other Asian background
• Black, Black British, Caribbean, African or any other Black background
• Other - includes Arab or any other ethnic group
• Prefer not to say

Are you currently employed?

• Yes
• No
• Prefer not to say

If you said ‘yes’, which country do you work in?

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland
• Outside the UK
• Prefer not to say

Are you or have you ever been registered with a professional healthcare regulator?

• Yes, I am currently registered
• Yes, I have been registered previously
• No

If you said yes, which professional healthcare regulators are you or have you been registered with? Select all that apply.

• General Chiropractic Council (GCC)
• General Dental Council (GDC)
• General Medical Council (GMC)
• General Optical Council (GOC)
• General Osteopathic Council (GOsC)
• General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland

What profession are you or were you registered as with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC)? Select all that apply.

• Chiropractor
• Other (please specify)

What profession are you or were you registered as with the General Dental Council (GDC)? Select all that apply.

• Clinical dental technician
• Dental hygienist
• Dental nurse
• Dental technician
• Dental therapist
• Dentist
• Orthodontic therapist
• Other (please specify)

What profession are you or were you registered as with the General Medical Council (GMC)? Select all that apply.

• Anaesthesia associate
• Medical practitioner
• Physician associate
• Other (please specify)

What profession are you or were you registered as with the General Optical Council (GOC)? Select all that apply.

• Dispensing optician
• Optometrist
• Student dispensing optician
• Student optometrist
• Other (please specify)

What profession are you or were you registered as with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC)? Select all that apply.

• Osteopath
• Other (please specify)

What profession are you or were you registered as with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)? Select all that apply.

• Pharmacist
• Pharmacy technician
• Other (please specify)

What profession are you or were you registered as with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)? Select all that apply.

• Arts therapist
• Biomedical scientist
• Chiropodist or podiatrist
• Clinical scientist
• Dietitian
• Hearing aid dispenser
• Occupational therapist
• Operating department practitioner
• Orthoptist
• Paramedic
• Physiotherapist
• Practitioner psychologist
• Prosthetist or orthotist
• Radiographer
• Speech and language therapist
• Other (please specify)

What profession are you or were you registered as with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)? Select all that apply.

• Midwife
• Nursing associate
• Registered nurse
• Other (please specify)

Are you or were you registered as any of the following? Select all that apply. (Optional)

• Health visitor
• Occupational health nurse
• Family health nurse
• School nurse
• None of the above

What profession are you or were you registered as with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland? Select all that apply.

• Pharmaceutical chemist
• Other (please specify)

Questions for people who are currently employed

What sector do you work in?

• Public sector
• Private sector
• Not for profit
• Other (please specify)

What is the main area of focus of your work?

• Academic
• Advocacy
• Armed forces
• Beauty and cosmetic
• Education, including childcare
• Emergency services
• Health and care
• Local government
• National government
• Social care
• Sport
• Transport
• Veterinary
• Other (please specify)

Are you referred to as a ‘nurse’ in your current job title?

• Yes - I am a registered nurse
• Yes - but I am not a registered nurse
• No

What is your current job title? (Optional)

If you said you are referred to as a nurse but you are not a registered nurse, is your role a regulated profession?

• Yes
• No

If you said yes, please state the professional regulator. (Optional)

Questions for organisations

What is the name of the organisation you are submitting evidence for?

What type of organisation are you responding on behalf of? Select all that apply.

• Academic institution
• Business
• Not for profit organisation
• Professional regulator
• Public sector body
• Other (please specify)

Where does your organisation operate or provide services? Select all that apply.

• England
• Wales
• Scotland
• Northern Ireland
• The whole of the UK
• Outside the UK

What sector does your organisation fall within?

• Academic
• Advocacy
• Armed forces
• Beauty and cosmetic
• Education, including childcare
• Emergency services
• Health and care
• Local government
• National government
• Social care
• Sport
• Transport
• Veterinary
• Other (please specify)

Does your organisation have any registered healthcare professionals or protected titles that are regulated by a professional healthcare regulator?

• Yes
• No

If you said yes, which professional healthcare regulators are your organisation’s registered professionals or protected titles registered with? Select all that apply.

• General Chiropractic Council (GCC)
• General Dental Council (GDC)
• General Medical Council (GMC)
• General Optical Council (GOC)
• General Osteopathic Council (GOsC)
• General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland

In your organisation, what profession is currently or was previously registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC)?

• Chiropractor
• Other (please specify)

In your organisation, what profession is currently or was previously registered with the General Dental Council (GDC)?

• Clinical dental technician
• Dental hygienist
• Dental nurse
• Dental technician
• Dental therapist
• Dentist
• Orthodontic therapist
• Other (please specify)

In your organisation, what profession is currently or was previously registered with the General Medical Council (GMC)?

• Anaesthesia associate
• Medical practitioner
• Physician associate
• Other (please specify)

In your organisation, what profession is currently or was previously registered with the General Optical Council (GOC)?

• Dispensing optician
• Optometrist
• Student dispensing optician
• Student optometrist
• Other (please specify)

In your organisation, what profession is currently or was previously registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC)?

• Osteopath
• Other (please specify)

In your organisation, what profession is currently or was previously registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)?

• Pharmacist
• Pharmacy technician
• Other (please specify)

In your organisation, what profession is currently or was previously registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)?

• Arts therapist
• Biomedical scientist
• Chiropodist or podiatrist
• Clinical scientist
• Dietitian
• Hearing aid dispenser
• Occupational therapist
• Operating department practitioner
• Orthoptist
• Paramedic
• Physiotherapist
• Practitioner psychologist
• Prosthetist or orthotist
• Radiographer
• Speech and language therapist
• Other (please specify)

In your organisation, what profession is currently or was previously registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)?

• Midwife
• Nursing associate
• Registered nurse
• Other (please specify)

In your organisation, do you have any professionals who are currently or were previously registered as any of the following? Select all that apply.

• Health visitor
• Occupational health nurse
• Family health nurse
• School nurse
• None of the above

In your organisation, what profession is currently or was previously registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland?

• Pharmaceutical chemist
• Other (please specify)

Your views on use of the professional title ‘nurse’

The government wants to ensure that those using the title ‘nurse’ are legitimate healthcare professionals. However, we are aware that the term ‘nurse’ is currently used in the titles of several other professions.

The next questions seek your views on which roles or people should be allowed to use the word ‘nurse’ in their title and therefore be exempt from prosecution. They also seek your views on protecting other professional titles such as ‘nursing’ and ‘health visitor’.

Question for people who currently use the title ‘nurse’ whose role is not regulated

You said that you are currently referred to as a nurse in your job title and that your role is not a regulated profession.

Do you consider that your role should continue to include the term ‘nurse’ and be exempt from prosecution?

• Yes
• No

Please provide a brief explanation for your answer. (Optional, maximum 500 words)

Questions for all respondents

What roles do you think should be allowed to use the word ‘nurse’ in the title and therefore be exempt from prosecution? Please state the job titles and briefly describe the roles and reasons for exemption. (Optional, maximum 500 words)

Please specify any other roles that do not include the term ‘nurse’, which you think should also be granted protected title status under the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) governing legislation, for example ‘health visitor’. Please state the job titles and briefly describe the roles and your reasoning. (Optional, maximum 500 words)

Do you think any other job titles that include the word ‘nursing’ or other variations of the word ‘nurse’ should be granted protected title status under the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) governing legislation? (Optional)

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Please explain your reasoning, including specific job titles or roles if applicable. (Optional, maximum 500 words)

Please provide any further information and evidence relating to protecting the professional title ‘nurse’ and exemptions. (Optional, maximum 500 words)

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