National Order of Nurses: what it means in practice
29 January 2026 · 5 min reading time
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See job offersThe National Order of Nurses is one of the topics that raises the most questions among nurses, particularly when entering the profession, changing employment status, or returning to practice. Mandatory registration, annual fees, administrative steps, processing times, consequences of non-registration… the information exists, but it is often scattered or difficult to interpret in practical terms.
Whether employed in a hospital or clinic, working as a self-employed nurse, or on temporary assignments, each situation raises specific questions. Do you need to register before you start working? Can you accept an assignment if your application is still being processed?
In this article, we provide a clear and structured overview of the role of the National Order of Nurses, the legal obligations, registration procedures, the amount of the annual fee, and special cases, with practical insight designed for nurses working in the field, including those in temporary work.
What is the National Order of Nurses (ONI)?
The National Order of Nurses is a professional body responsible for regulating the practice of nursing in France. Created to ensure the quality and safety of care, its main mission is to ensure compliance with professional and ethical rules by all nurses, regardless of how they practice.
In practical terms, the Order maintains the register of nurses, which is the official list of professionals authorized to practice. Registration on this register is a legal condition for practicing and certifies that the nurse holds the required qualifications and meets the criteria necessary to practice.
Beyond this administrative role, the Order also acts as a representative and regulatory body for the profession. It helps defend nurses’ interests, contributes to the evolution of professional practices, and intervenes in cases of breaches of ethical rules, with the aim of protecting both patients and healthcare professionals.
Is registration with the nursing order mandatory?
Registration with the nursing order is a legal requirement to practice as a nurse in France. It applies to all professionals, regardless of their employment status or mode of practice.
Being registered on the Order’s register certifies that the nurse meets the required conditions to practice, both in terms of qualifications and compliance with professional and ethical standards. Registration is therefore inseparable from authorization to practice and is part of a broader approach to securing professional practices and protecting patients.
In practice, this obligation is also taken into account by healthcare facilities and temporary work agencies, which must ensure that the professionals they recruit are properly registered with the Order before any assignment begins.
Who is required to register with the nursing order?
The obligation to register with the nursing order applies to all nurses who actively practice, regardless of their employment framework. Professional status does not affect this rule: it is the act of practicing nursing that triggers the obligation.
Salaried nurses, whether they work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes (EHPADs), or any other healthcare or medico-social facility, are therefore subject to this requirement in the same way as self-employed nurses. Registration certifies their ability to practice and provides a guarantee for both employers and patients.
Temporary nurses are also concerned. Even if assignments are short or occasional, registration with the nursing order remains a mandatory prerequisite before starting any assignment. Temporary work agencies and host facilities rely on this registration to secure assignments and verify the professional’s administrative compliance.
Finally, newly qualified nurses must register as soon as they intend to start practicing. Holding the diploma alone is not sufficient: registration on the Order’s register is an integral part of the steps required to legally access the profession.
How do you register with the nursing order?
Registration with the nursing order is completed online and follows an administrative process overseen by the departmental council corresponding to the place of practice. The first step is to create a personal account on the website of the National Order of Nurses. Once the account is activated, the nurse can submit their registration application by providing the required information and uploading the necessary supporting documents. The file is then forwarded to the relevant departmental council for review.
After examination, the departmental council approves the registration and records it in the Order’s register. This validation grants access to official documents, including the certificate of registration, which is required to start or continue professional activity. If the file is incomplete or documents are missing, additional information may be requested, which can extend processing times.
Is it mandatory to pay the National Order of Nurses?
Payment of the National Order of Nurses membership fee is mandatory as long as a nurse is registered and practicing. This fee is an integral part of registration on the Order’s register and is required to maintain registration from one year to the next.
Why pay the nursing order fee?
The membership fee funds the operation of the National Order of Nurses: maintaining the register, supporting professionals, managing disciplinary bodies, and actions related to ethics and patient safety. It is an essential part of registration. In practice, a registered nurse who does not pay the fee may receive reminders and ultimately face procedures that can lead to suspension of registration.
This fee applies to all practicing nurses, regardless of their mode of practice (salaried, self-employed, temporary work). Professional status does not exempt nurses from payment, although specific arrangements may exist depending on individual situations.
How much is the nursing order fee?
The fee is annual and its amount depends on the declared mode of practice (salaried, self-employed, mixed). There is therefore no single rate for the entire profession: the declared status is used as the basis for calculation for the calendar year.
One point to watch concerns changes in situation during the year. When moving from salaried to self-employed practice, combining activities, or returning after a break, it is important to update the declared mode of practice so that the applicable fee matches the actual situation.
Finally, exemptions do exist, particularly for newly qualified nurses at the time of their first registration, depending on the date the diploma was obtained and the date of registration. This should be checked when preparing the application to avoid unnecessary exchanges and delays.
| Mode of practice / situation | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Salaried (public or private) | €35 |
| Self-employed (owner, collaborator, substitute) | €85 |
| Mixed practice (salaried + self-employed) | €85 |
| Retired / volunteer registered (depending on case) | €35 |
| Company (depending on case) | €170 |
How do you obtain a certificate from the nursing order?
The nursing order certificate proves that a nurse is registered on the register and therefore authorized to practice. It is frequently requested by an employer, a healthcare facility, or a temporary work agency before an assignment begins, especially when the start date is imminent.
Once registration has been approved by the departmental council of the National Order of Nurses, the certificate can be downloaded from the personal account on the Order’s website. It is available as a PDF and can be sent immediately if needed.
If the registration is recent or still being processed, the final certificate may not yet be available. Depending on the situation, some departmental councils may issue a provisional document or confirm the nurse’s administrative status, particularly when work needs to start quickly. In such cases, it is recommended to contact directly the Order council responsible for the place of practice.
Special cases: interruption of activity, return to practice, and change of situation
Certain career changes require particular attention, as they can affect the registration file: temporary interruption of activity, return to practice after a period without work, or change in mode of practice.
When a nurse temporarily stops practicing (extended leave, career change, voluntary interruption), registration may be maintained or adjusted depending on the situation. It is recommended to inform the departmental council of the change in order to keep the file up to date without engaging in unnecessary procedures.
In the case of a return to practice, compliance is generally simpler when the file is complete and obligations are up to date. This step is especially important if the return is through temporary work or a healthcare facility after a long break, as documentation may be required before starting.
Finally, a change of department or change in mode of practice (for example, moving from salaried work to temporary or self-employed practice) must be declared. Registration remains valid nationwide, but the affiliated departmental council may change. Updating this information helps avoid administrative blocks and ensures continuity of practice.
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