This guide assists international nurses in navigating the English language requirements necessary for becoming a registered nurse in countries such as the USA, UK, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland. You will find information on the accepted types and versions of English language tests, minimum acceptable scores, and options for combining results for international registration.
Table of Contents
1. What is OET?
The Occupational English Test (OET) is widely recognized by several nursing boards, including
- the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in Australia,
- the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in the United Kingdom,
- the Nursing Council of New Zealand, and
- the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
OET is also accepted by
- the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS),
- the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and
- College of Ontario (CNO) in Canada, and
- the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) in the United Arab Emirates.
These nursing councils have established various English language testing requirements to ensure the delivery of high-quality nursing services. As miscommunication in this profession can lead to serious consequences, these standards are crucial for effective patient care and safety. Almost all of them accept all the versions of the OET test as a language requirement for nurses registration.
More on What is OET?
2. OET for Nurses Overview
The OET test for nurses comprises four subtests, i.e. Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Listening and Reading subtests will consist of general medical content while the writing and speaking subtest will be nursing specific for OET on paper, OET on computer and OET@Home versions. A general overview of the OET test has been given below:
Subtest | Duration | General Information |
---|---|---|
Listening | 45 mins approx (three parts) | All the recordings are played once ONLY |
Reading | 60 mins (Part A 15 mins + Part B & C 45 mins) | You cannot return to part A after 15 mins |
Writing | 45 min (5 mins reading case notes + 40 mins writing letter) | Referral, discharge, transfer letters for Nurses |
Speaking | 20 mins approx 2 roleplays (Nursing) | You will be a nurse in roleplay; Initial introduction is warm-up and ungraded |
All about
OET on Computer and
3. Regions Specific English Language Requirements for Nurses
All the tests must be taken within two years of applying for registration for nursing and you must achieve the minimum scores for application of license or registration in any of the countries.
3.1 Australia
AHPRA manages the registrations of healthcare professionals in Australia, and it has set forth following standard English language tests as eligibility criteria for nurses. AHPRA does not accept any online test taken at home except OET@Home on Computer with remote proctoring to date.
English Language Requirements
English Test | Test Type | Overall Test Score | Each Skill Score |
---|---|---|---|
OET (Nursing)
| OET on Paper OET on Computer OET @ Home | – | 350 Grade B |
IELTS Academic | IELTS Paper Based IELTS Computer Delivered IELTS OSR (One Skill Re-take within 60 Days) | 7 Band | Not less than 6.5 Band |
TOEFL* | iBT (Testing Center ) | 94 Max
83 Min
| Max Listening- 24 Speaking-23 Min Listening- 20 Speaking-20 |
PTE Academic | Academic (Testing Center) | 65 | 65 |
*TOEFL scores from July 26, 2023, to May 4, 2024, are not accepted since this test was not approved for immigration during that time.
3.2 The UK
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC ) maintains registration for nurses and midwives in the UK, and it accepts combining scores from two sittings in OET. It also accept other English language tests given below:
English Language Requirements
English Test | Test Type | Overall Test Score | Each Skill Score |
---|---|---|---|
OET Nursing | OET OET on Computer OET on Paper OET@Home | – | Listening-Grade B 350-440 Reading-Grade B 350-440 Writing-Grade C+ 300-340 Speaking-Grade B 350-440 |
IELTS Academic | IELTS Paper Based IELTS Computer Delivered OSR (One Skill re-take within 60 Days) | 7 Band | Listening-7 Reading-7 Writing-7 Speaking-6.5 |
TOEFL
| iBT | 95
| Listening- 24 Reading-24 Writing-22Speaking-24 |
3.3 New Zealand
The Nursing Council of New Zealand has given the options of following English language test with minimum scores given in the table below:
English Language Requirements
English Test* | Test Type | Overall Test Score | Each Skill Score |
---|---|---|---|
OET (Nursing)
| OET on Paper OET on Computer Combining/Clubbing acceptable | – | Listening- 350 Reading-350 Writing-300Speaking-350 |
IELTS Academic | IELTS Paper Based IELTS Computer Delivered IELTS OSR (One Skill re-take within 60 Days) | – | Listening 7 Reading 7 Writing 6.5Speaking 7 |
*Any test taken at home or outside the testing center/venue is NOT acceptable by the Nursing Council for registration in New Zealand.
3.4 Ireland
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI ) accepts the following English language test with minimum scores given in the table below:
English Language Requirements
English Test* | Test Type | Overall Test Score | Each Skill Score |
---|---|---|---|
OET (Nursing)
| OET on Paper OET on Computer (venue) | – | Listening Grade B/ 350-450 Grade B/ 350-450 Grade C+/ 300-340 Speaking Grade B/ 350-450 |
IELTS/ UKVI IELTS Academic
| IELTS Paper Based | 7 | Any 3 components 7 Any 1 component 6.5 |
*Ireland nursing registration does not accept combining/clubbing results/OSR in IELTS/OET@Home.
3.5 The USA
The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS ) in the USA accepts a variety of English language tests given in the table below:
English Language Requirements
English Test | Test Type | Overall Test Score | Each Skill Score |
---|---|---|---|
OET (Nursing)
| OET on Paper OET on Computer (In venue)
| – | Speaking B Listening C+ Reading C+ Writing C+ |
CAE | B2 First, C1 Advance, C2 qualifications | 176 Speaking 185 |
– |
IELTS Academic | IELTS Paper Based IELTS Computer Delivered (In venue)
| 6.5 Band | Listening 6.5 Band Reading 6.5 Band Writing 6.5 Band Speaking 7 Band |
TOEFL
| iBT Paper Delivered | 57- 81
540
| Listening- 24 Speaking-24
|
PTE Academic | Academic (Testing Center) | 55 | 50 |
Michigan English Test (MET) | – | 55 | Minimum Speaking 55 |
TOEIC | – | – | Listening 725 Reading 725 Writing 150 Speaking 160 |
3.6 Canada
The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA ) and College of Ontario (CNO) in Canada accepts the following English and French language tests with minimum scores given below:
English Language Requirements
English Test* | Test Type | Overall Test Score | Each Skill Score |
---|---|---|---|
OET (Nursing)
| OET on Paper OET on Computer OET @ Home | – | Speaking 350 Listening 350 Reading 330 Writing 320 |
IELTS Academic | IELTS Paper Based IELTS Computer Delivered (In venue) IELTS OSR (One Skill Retake within 60 days) | 7 Band | Listening 6.5 Band Reading 6.5 Band Writing 6.5 Band Speaking 7 Band |
PTE Academic | Academic (Testing Center) | – | Listening 73 Reading 6 Writing 68 Speaking 75 |
Test d’evaluation de francais (TEF) | French | – | Listening 400 Reading 400 Writing 400 Speaking 500 |
Test de connaissance du français pour le canada | French | – | Listening 503 Reading 453 Writing 10 Speaking 12 |
CELBAN Nurses | – | – | Listening 9 Reading 8 Writing 7 Speaking 8 |
* The English language test requirements differ slightly in different provinces.
3.7 UAE
Dubai Healthcare City Authority–regulatory (DHCR )
English Language Test Requirements
English Test* | Test Type | Overall Test Score | Each Skill Score |
OET (Nursing)
| OET on Paper OET on Computer (In venue) | – | Speaking B Listening B Reading B Writing B |
IELTS
| IELTS Paper Based IELTS Computer Delivered (In venue) | 6.5 Band | Listening 6 Band Reading 6 Band Writing 6 Band Speaking 6 Band |
CAE (Cambridge Assessment English) | – | 169 | – |
TOEFL | IBT Paper Based | 83 500 | – |
*The scores may differ with time, so always check updates from official sources.
4. Which English Language Test is Better for International Nurses?
Of course! OET is better for nurses for two main reasons. First, the speaking subtest involves simulated role-plays where you act as the nurse, aligning closely with your real-life profession. It feels much like the conversations you have in your day-to-day work. Second, in the writing subtest, you’ll write a letter specific to nursing, so much of the vocabulary and grammar will already be familiar to you. This also helps improve your clinical communication skills. Additionally, you’ll likely find the content of the listening and reading subtests more relevant and easier to engage with.
5. Preparation Resources for OET Exam
You can prepare for your OET exam with authentic resources by enrolling in Benchmark OET preparation material for nursing which includes e-books, video lessons, and guides to score higher in OET test. The OET course includes practice tests for listening and reading, speaking mock tests, writing correction services, and grammar and vocabulary support resources.
OET Course – Essentials, Pro & Pro Max
OET Mock tests – for Computer-based OET
6. Conclusion
Meeting the English language requirements for nurses seeking registration in the UK, USA, UAE, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, and Australia is essential for upholding standards and accessing global opportunities.
Start your journey today with a Benchmark OET course and take the next step toward achieving your goals!