Tonga - Apply for Registration and Licensing to Practice Nursing (Midwife)

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Procedure

Apply in Person:
Registration of students

1. A person in charge of an education provider providing an approved and accredited programme of study shall inform the Nurses Board of the Kingdom of Tonga; the Registrar of the particulars of any person who enrolls in that programme of study. Ministry of Health-MoH Contact Details
2. On receipt of the particulars of a person undertaking an approved program of study or part of an approved program of study, the Registrar shall register the person as a student registrant by entering the person’s particulars in the student division of the register kept by the Board.
3. The Board shall not require a person to pay a fee for registration as a student As soon as practicable after registering a person as a student registrant, the Registrar shall give written notice of the registration to the education provider that provided the student’s particulars to the Board.
4. As soon as practicable after receiving notice that a student has been registered the education provider shall give written notice of the registration to the student.
5. The period of registration for a student starts when the student is registered; and expires at the end of the day on which the student completes, or otherwise ceases to be enrolled in, the approved program of study.
6. Upon successfully completing the study program, Examination, and clinical placement the student will be eligible to be entered into the Board Nursing/midwife roll/register as a profession and is required to show that they have attained the required competency by the Board standards. Applicants should refer to the “Eligibility” section of this page to confirm eligibility and contact the Board to begin the registration process.
7. An applicant shall complete and submit the registration form based on the instruction provided by the registrar. Don’t forget to attest the forms with your signature once completed.
8. A complete application shall be submitted with all relevant supporting documents as listed under the “Required Documents” section below. The registrar will not take responsibility for an incomplete application.
9. Don’t forget to make the stipulated payment as directed by the officials. Proof of payment should be attached to the application.
10. All application forms will be reviewed by the Board-appointed registration and Licensing Committee for assessment and evaluation is within six weeks. The processing time shall depend on the volume of applications being reviewed by the Board at the said time. The Board will endeavor, however, to inform the applicant if there is a delay in the review process beyond this time period.
11. Where the applicant has studied abroad (Citizen/ foreigner) Upon receipt of the complete registration dossier, the Registrar will check the documents for completeness and authenticity. If everything is in the order he/she shall forward all applications to the Board responsible. which shall then verify the applicant's qualifications with the relevant training school and board of nursing/midwifery from the respective country.
12. Upon being satisfied with the information provided by the respective institution, candidates will be shortlisted and invited for an oral interview by the Registration and Licensing Committee. Based on the results of the oral interview, successful candidates may be invited to sit a written exam or proceed for a clinical placement to acquaint themselves with the healthcare systems in Tonga for a period to be determined.
13. Once the verification and validation processes are over and if the application is found sufficient, it will be approved and a senior registration and licensing officer will proceed to take the required steps to Register the beneficiary as per the category applied for and award the applicant with the registration certificate and the practicing license.
14. The Board shall, in the case of refusal of registration, give a reasoned decision and inform the applicant of his right of appeal
15. The applicant will be notified to collect his Registration Certificates, Practicing license, and a Continuous Professional Development logbook, via text or phone call. One is required to bring proof of identification when collecting the documents.

Registration of Foreign-Trained Nurses and Midwives (Permanent)

1. Foreign Profession health practitioners that wish to work in Tongo are required to be registered and licensed with the Nursing Board for them to be able to practice; he/she is required to show that they have attained the required competency by the Ministry of health/board standards.
2. Applicants should refer to the “Eligibility” section of this page to confirm eligibility and contact the Board to begin the registration process.
3. Upon receipt of the complete registration dossier as listed under the “Required Documents” section below, the Registrar will check the documents for completeness and authenticity. If everything is in the order he shall forward all applications to the Board responsible. which shall then verify the applicant's qualifications with the relevant training school and board of nursing/midwifery from the respective country.
4. Please note that the application shall also be accompanied by all applicable fees and should be deposited as prescribed by the Board and proof of payment shared with the Board office.
5. Upon being satisfied with the information provided by the respective institution, candidates will be invited for an oral interview by the Registration and Licensing Committee. Based on the results of the oral interview, successful candidates may be invited to sit a written exam, the examination is organized by the Board.
6. Upon passing the exams, the applicant will be required to undergo a practical orientation program (clinical placement) in a Teaching, Regional, or any hospital accredited by the Ministry of Health/Board to acquaint themselves with healthcare systems in Tonga.
7. The Health Profession will be registered as a Provisional Nurse/ midwife with the board and will be issued a Registration Certificate, practicing license, badge and a Continuous Professional Development logbook.
8. The applicant will be notified to collect Authorization documents via text or phone call. One is required to bring proof of identification when collecting the documents.
9. The foreign Nurses/midwives will be required to serve a mandatory year of service as determined by the Board. After a satisfactory service completion in Tonga, they are transferred from the Provisional register to the Main register.

Please Note:

• Any applicant for a practicing nursing license, who is aggrieved by any decision of the Board to refuse to issue the license or to specify any condition therein may appeal against that decision to the Minister in writing and shall be delivered to the Minister not later than 30 days immediately after the day, on which the decision complained of was communicated to the applicant.

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Required Documents

• Fully completed Application form
• National Identity Card and/or Passport
• Birth Certificate
• Valid Practice License (If applicable)
• 2 Passport size Photographs
• Curriculum Vitae
• Original Professional Certificates
• Original Transcripts
• Copies of College Certificates
• Verification by Registering Board
• Academic Certificates
• Marriage Certificate (If applicable)
• Have a valid professional certificate
• Certificate of good conduct or Police clearance
• Evidence of having Undergone the minimum hours of continuous professional development.
• Proof of payment of all applicable fees as specified by the Authority.
• Any other supporting documentation as requested by the Authority.

Additional documents needed for Foreigners

• Valid Passport
• Letter of conduct from a recent employer
• Valid Work permit
• Valid Residence permit

Office Locations & Contacts

Nurses Board of the Kingdom of Tonga
(Ministry of Health (MoH)
Address:
Taufa'ahau Road, Tofoa,
Tonga.
Tel: +676 740 0200
MoH Contact Details
MoH Website

Tonga Nurses Association
PO Box 150 Nuku'alofa
Tonga
Tel.: +676 (740) 0419
Email: [email protected]

Eligibility

• To be of good reputation and commendable conduct.
• To have never been sentenced in a felony or misdemeanor (for a custodial penalty in a crime involving moral turpitude or breach of trust, unless rehabilitated in either case). In short, not to have a criminal record.
• To have attained one of the following academic degrees:
  • A Bachelor of Science in Nursing from one of Tonga’s high institutes, or an equivalent degree elsewhere than in Tonga, which the Nurses Board recognizes as equivalent to the qualification by examination required by the Board.
  • A Diploma from a healthcare institute affiliated with the Ministry of Health/Board (nursing division) or an equivalent degree.

Fees

• Please consult with the Nurses Board of the Kingdom of Tonga Office.

Validity

• The validity of the license/ registration certificate shall be mentioned on the document, however; every registered nurse, nurse practitioner or midwife shall, on or before the 31st day of October in each year pay to the Registrar a rolling fee fixed by the Board for the year commencing on the first day of January next following the prescribed day for them to be able to continue practicing.
• Late renewal incurs an additional penalty charge as prescribed by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Tonga.

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Related Videos

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Instructions

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Required Information

• Full names of the applicant
• Identification document details
• Contact details
• Nationality
• Gender/ Age
• Category of health practitioner (Nurse/ midwife)
• Education qualification details
• Professional/ job experience details
• Declaration by the applicant

Need for the Document

• Each nurse practicing in Gambia is required to be registered and licensed with the Nursing & Midwives Board of the kingdom of Tonga.
• It is illegal to employ a Nurse or Midwife not registered with the Board or who does not have a valid practicing certificate.

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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External Links

Tonga Nurses Act

Others

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