NMC to accept OET on computer and OET@Home for overseas trained nursing and midwifery professionals

The Nursing and Midwifery Council has announced it will accept results from OET on computer at test venues and OET@Home, the OET’s new computer-based English language test which can be taken from home.

Overseas qualified nurses, midwives and nursing associates who want to join the UK register have to meet our English language standards through either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Occupational English Test (OET), or a pre-registration nurse, midwife or nursing associate qualification which was taught and examined in English.

The OET will now offer candidates the option to take their test from home, using their own computer. The OET@Home test will use the same format and material as those taken at test centres.  

Emma Broadbent, Director of Professional Regulation for the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said:

“Overseas nursing and midwifery professionals are an essential and valued part of the UK workforce, so I am pleased we are able to offer greater flexibility for candidates to demonstrate they meet our English language standards.

Sujata Stead, Chief Executive Officer of the OET, said:

“I am delighted that the NMC will accept OET results from OET on computer at test venues and at home. The past six months have been challenging for OET nurses world-wide and having a multi-modal approach to test delivery with paper based and computer based testing at venues and home will give them greater choice, convenience and the confidence to achieve their dreams of working in the United Kingdom.

“The pandemic has further highlighted the need for foreign-educated nurses with the communication skills in English to provide high quality and safe care, and we at OET look forward to facilitating their integration into the UK workforce.”

Ends

Background information

• OET@Home bookings will open in late September – more information is available on the OET website.
• From September there will now be three options for candidates to take their OET – OET on paper, OET on computer at a test venues and the home-based OET@Home. The cost and results wait time will remain the same.

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