English Language Requirements for Nurses in the USA, UK, Canada

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.

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:

SubtestDuration General Information
Listening45 mins approx (three parts)All the recordings are played once ONLY
Reading60 mins (Part A 15 mins +  Part B & C 45 mins)You cannot return to part A after 15 mins
Writing45 min (5 mins reading case notes + 40 mins writing letter)Referral, discharge, transfer letters for Nurses
Speaking20 mins approx 2 roleplays (Nursing)You will be a nurse in roleplay;

Initial introduction is warm-up and ungraded

All about

OET Grade Calculator

OET on Paper

OET on Computer and

OET @ Home

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 TestTest TypeOverall Test ScoreEach 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 BandNot less than 6.5 Band
TOEFL*iBT

(Testing Center )

 94 Max

 

 

 

 

83 Min

 

Max

Listening- 24
Reading-24
Writing-27

Speaking-23

Min

Listening- 20
Reading-19
Writing-24

Speaking-20

PTE AcademicAcademic

(Testing Center)

6565

*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 TestTest TypeOverall Test ScoreEach 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 BandListening-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 TypeOverall Test ScoreEach 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 TypeOverall Test ScoreEach Skill Score
OET (Nursing)

 

OET on Paper

OET on Computer (venue)

Listening

Grade B/ 350-450
Reading

Grade B/ 350-450
Writing

Grade C+/ 300-340

Speaking

Grade B/ 350-450

IELTS/

UKVI IELTS

Academic

 

IELTS Paper Based7 

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 TestTest TypeOverall Test ScoreEach Skill Score
OET (Nursing)

 

OET on Paper

OET on Computer

(In venue)

 

 

Speaking   B

Listening   C+

Reading    C+

Writing     C+

CAEB2 First, C1 Advance, C2 qualifications176

Speaking 185

 

 

IELTS

Academic

IELTS Paper Based

IELTS Computer Delivered (In venue)

 

6.5 BandListening 6.5 Band

Reading 6.5 Band

Writing 6.5 Band

Speaking 7 Band

TOEFL

 

iBT

Paper Delivered

 

57- 81

 

540

 

 

Listening- 24
Reading-24
Writing-24

Speaking-24

 

PTE AcademicAcademic

(Testing Center)

5550
Michigan English Test (MET)55Minimum 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 TypeOverall Test ScoreEach 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 BandListening 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)FrenchListening 400

Reading 400

Writing   400

Speaking 500

Test de connaissance du français pour le canadaFrenchListening 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 TypeOverall Test ScoreEach 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 BandListening 6 Band

Reading 6 Band

Writing 6 Band

Speaking 6 Band

CAE (Cambridge Assessment English)169
TOEFLIBT

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

OET Writing Correction

OET Speaking Mock Test

OET Reading Course

OET Listening Tests

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!

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