We accept two language tests as evidence of your ability to communicate effectively in English: The International English Language Test System (IELTS) Academic and the Occupational English Test (OET).
We’re not looking to expand this list at the moment. This is subject to periodic review, so if this position changes we will update this section of our website to reflect this.
You must achieve the required score in each of the four areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Your test scores are valid for two years.
If you have narrowly missed the required score in one domain and exhausted test combining options, you may be able to use supporting information from your employer (SIFE) to support your application. Find out more about this process below.
IELTS
We will accept an IELTS Academic examination certificate that confirms you achieved at least 7 for reading, listening, and speaking, and at least 6.5 for writing.
We accept both the paper based and computer based IELTS Academic test delivered at a test centre.
We’re not able to accept the IELTS indicator test because the security measures for the indicator test are not comparable to those in place for the face-to-face test and do not meet our standards.
Combining IELTS test scores
You can achieve the required mark across two IELTS test sittings if:
- you sit the tests within 12 months of each other
- you’re tested in all four sections at the same time
- you achieve at least 7 for reading, listening, and speaking, and at least 6.5 for writing in at least one of the two test sittings and
- no scores in either of the two test sittings are below 6.5 for listening, reading, and speaking, or below 6 for writing
You cannot combine OET and IELTS test scores when combining tests.
Combined IELTS scores: Accepted
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test 1 | 7 | 6.5 | 6 | 7 |
| Test 2 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 |
This combination would be accepted. The applicant has scored at least 7 in the listening, speaking and reading sections and at least 6.5 in the writing section in either of the two test sittings, and no score is lower than 6.5 for listening, reading or speaking and the writing score is not lower than 6.0.
Combined IELTS scores: Not accepted
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test 1 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7 |
| Test 2 | 6 | 7 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
This application would not be accepted. The applicant has a Listening score lower than 6.5.
See if your combined scores meet our requirements
OET
We will accept an OET examination certificate that confirms you achieved at least grade B (350 or above) for reading, listening, and speaking, and at least grade C+ (300 or above) for writing.
We accept the OET on Paper, OET on Computer, and the OET@Home.
Combining OET test scores
You can achieve the required mark across two OET test sittings if:
- you sit the tests within 12 months of each other
- you’re tested in all four sections at the same time
- you achieve at least grade B (350-440) for reading, listening and speaking, and at least grade C+ (300-340) for writing in at least one of the two test sittings and
- no scores in either of the two test sittings are below grade C+ (300-340) for listening, reading, and speaking, or below grade C (250-290) for writing
You cannot combine OET and IELTS test scores when combining tests.
Combined OET scores: Accepted
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test 1 | C+ (300 – 340) | B (350 – 440) | B (350 – 440) | B (350 – 440) |
| Test 2 | B (350 – 440) | B (350 – 440) | C (250 – 290) | B (350 – 440) |
The applicant has scored at least grade B in the listening, speaking and reading sections and at least grade C+ (300 – 340) in the writing section in either of the two test sittings, and no score is lower than grade C+ (300 – 340) for listening, reading and speaking or lower than grade C (250 – 290) for writing.
Combined OET scores: Not accepted
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test 1 | C+ (300 – 340) | B (350 – 440) | B (350 – 440) | B (350 – 440) |
| Test 2 | C (250 – 290) | B (350 – 440) | C+ (300 – 340) | B (350 – 440) |
This combination would not be accepted. The score the listening section is lower than grade C+ (300 – 340).
See if your combined scores meet our requirements
Submitting your OET certificate
If you’re submitting an OET certificate as part of your application, you'll need to give us permission to verify your results through your myOET account.
Find out how to give a verification institution access to your results on the OET website.
Find out more about providing English language evidence
Using additional supporting information from your employer (SIFE)
If you have attempted to combine your test scores and have narrowly missed the required score in one language domain by no more than 0.5 in IELTS or half a grade in OET, you can provide supporting information from your UK employer as supplementary evidence of clinical competence in English in this language domain.
To do this, you must:
- be working in a non-registered role in a health or care setting in the UK at the point you submit your application
- have worked in that role for at least 12 months full time (or full time equivalent if working part time) at the point you submit your application
- have had an NMC registrant as your line manager in this role, and had the same line manager for at least 6 months (we will accept supporting information from up to two NMC-registered line managers to cover 12 months or full time equivalent).
The supporting information you provide must be from your current employer. Your line manager will be asked to provide information via a link to NMC online to confirm direct experience of your English language competence in this domain. Your line manager should be an NHS Band 6 (or non-NHS equivalent) or above. This information also needs be countersigned by an NMC registrant who is an NHS Band 8a (or non-NHS equivalent) or above, to confirm the process has been fair and consistent.
Preparing to take an English language test
We understand that taking an English language test can be an anxious experience. To help you do as well as you can, we encourage you to take advantage of the free preparation materials available to you and take time to prepare in advance.
IELTS preparation materials:
For the full range of IELTS preparation resources visit How to prepare
OET preparation materials:
- Free OET Study Guide
- Free ‘Introduction to OET Nursing’ Course
- Sample OET tests:
- General study tips | OET
- Training videos, learning tips and more on YouTube and Facebook
For the full range of OET preparation resources visit Preparation information
