Recency of practice
General information only, not legal or regulatory advice; check the official NMBA page before applying.
Recency of practice means that a nurse or midwife has maintained an adequate connection with, and recent practice in, nursing or midwifery since qualifying for, or obtaining, registration. The NMBA's Registration standard: Recency of practice came into effect on 1 June 2016.
For nurse practitioners
The NMBA's Safety and quality guidelines for nurse practitioners say NPs must maintain and demonstrate recency of practice relevant to their specific area and context of NP practice, at the advanced practice nursing level, to the equivalent of 450 hours over the past five years. This practice must be direct clinical contact.
Proposed changes
In May 2026 Ahpra and 14 National Boards consulted on proposed changes to the recency of practice and CPD standards, including a proposal of 150 hours of practice in the last year or 450 hours in the last three years. Consultation closed on 17 July 2026. The newsletter described these as proposed changes and asked for feedback. Check the standard page for the rules in force.
How EndorseMe helps
- For endorsed members, the Practice hours page becomes Practice and recency (open in EndorseMe) and tracks your hours against the 450 hours over five years.
- EndorseMe organises the record. It does not decide your renewal.