NMC English requirements
Overseas nurses and midwives need OET B in Listening, Reading and Speaking and C+ in Writing, or IELTS Academic 7 with 6.5 in Writing.
| Sub-test | OET | IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | B350 | 7 |
| Reading | B350 | 7 |
| Writing | C+300 | 6.5 |
| Speaking | B350 | 7 |
Do you need an English test?
Answer up to three questions to see what the NMC will ask you for.
Question 1 of 3
Your UK training is your evidence
The NMC accepts an NMC-approved nursing or midwifery programme as evidence of your English, so you do not need OET or IELTS.
Your practice may be your evidence
The NMC accepts a year of registered practice in a country where English is the majority spoken language, within the last two years, if your registration there included an English language assessment. Our teachers will confirm your route on WhatsApp.
Contact us to confirm
Training taught and examined in English can count, if your transcript shows the clinical time in English the NMC asks for. Our teachers will confirm your route on WhatsApp.
Yes, you need OET or IELTS Academic
The NMC needs OET B in Listening, Reading and Speaking and C+ in Writing, or IELTS Academic 7 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing.
What English evidence does the NMC accept?
Three kinds. Any one of them is enough when you meet its conditions.
- 1
An English language test
OET or IELTS Academic at the NMC's grades, with all four sub-tests sat together and results no more than two years old when the NMC assesses your application.
- 2
Training taught and examined in English
Your nursing or midwifery programme, if your transcript shows at least half your time with patients, families and other professionals, and at least 75% of that in English. Trained where English is not the majority language? You also need supporting information from a UK employer.
- 3
Practice in an English-speaking country
At least one year of registered practice in a country where English is the majority spoken language, within the last two years, where your registration included an English language assessment.
From the NMC’s pages on NMC accepted English language tests, Qualified in English and Recent practice in English, checked on 9 November 2026.
OET or IELTS for the NMC?
Both count, at these scores. You cannot mix one with the other.
Listening
OET: B (350)
IELTS Academic: 7
Reading
OET: B (350)
IELTS Academic: 7
Writing
OET: C+ (300)
IELTS Academic: 6.5
Speaking
OET: B (350)
IELTS Academic: 7
Lowest score in each sitting when combining
OET: C+ (300) in Listening, Reading and Speaking and C (250) in Writing
IELTS Academic: 6.5 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 6 in Writing
Combine two sittings
OET: Yes, test dates within 12 months
IELTS Academic: Yes, test dates within 12 months
Versions the NMC accepts
OET: The Nursing test, on paper or computer, or OET@Home outside the UK
IELTS Academic: IELTS Academic on paper or computer at a test centre, including IELTS UKVI
Not accepted
OET: Single sub-tests taken on their own
IELTS Academic: IELTS Online, the Indicator test and One Skill Retake
Results count for
OET: Two years when the NMC assesses your application
IELTS Academic: Two years when the NMC assesses your application
Pass OET first time with expert British teachers
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Can you combine OET scores for the NMC?
Yes, two sittings, if both reach a floor and together they reach the grade.
- 1
Sit all four sub-tests together
Both times. A single sub-test taken on its own does not count.
- 2
Test dates within 12 months
The dates you sat the tests count, not the dates on the certificates.
- 3
Reach the floor in every sitting
At least C+ (300) in Listening, Reading and Speaking and C (250) in Writing, in both tests.
- 4
Reach the grade across the two
Between them, B in Listening, Reading and Speaking and C+ in Writing.
Combine two OET results or two IELTS results, never one of each. Each result must be no more than two years old when the NMC assesses your complete application.
Check your two sittingsCan your two sittings be combined?
Enter both tests: the four scores and the test date. It opens with an example the NMC accepts.
An example the NMC accepts
Yes, the NMC can combine these two sittings
Met: Your test dates are 6 months apart, within the 12 months the NMC allows.
Met: Test 1 has at least C+ (300) in Listening, Reading and Speaking and C (250) in Writing.
Met: Test 2 has at least C+ (300) in Listening, Reading and Speaking and C (250) in Writing.
Met: Between them you have B (350) in Listening, Reading and Speaking and C+ (300) in Writing.
Your scores, Test 1 and Test 2
- ListeningListening, Test 1: 320Listening, Test 2: 360
- ReadingReading, Test 1: 360Reading, Test 2: 350
- WritingWriting, Test 1: 360Writing, Test 2: 270
- SpeakingSpeaking, Test 1: 370Speaking, Test 2: 380
Which OET does the NMC accept?
The Nursing test, midwives included, in any of OET’s three formats.
Each result must be no more than two years old when the NMC assesses your complete application.
OET on Paper
At a test venue, in the UK and abroad.
OET on Computer
At a test venue, in the UK and abroad.
OET@Home
For readers outside the UK only: OET@Home is not offered in the UK.
Outside the UK, the NMC will also combine an OET@Home result with a paper or computer one. In the UK, book paper or computer: see UK OET test centres.
What comes after OET?
Start from where you are, with expert British teachers.
Prepare for OET Nursing with a teacher
Live online classes for the grade the NMC asks for. We keep supporting you until you pass.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions our students ask us.
- OET and IELTS Academic are the only two tests the NMC accepts. It also accepts nursing or midwifery training taught and examined in English, or a year of recent registered practice in a country where English is the majority spoken language, if you meet its conditions.
- B (350) in Listening, Reading and Speaking, and C+ (300) in Writing. Midwives sit the same Nursing test. OET pass score for every regulator.
- At least 7 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing, in IELTS Academic. The NMC accepts IELTS Academic on paper or computer at a test centre, including IELTS UKVI, but not IELTS Online. OET vs IELTS.
- Yes. You can combine two sittings taken within 12 months of each other, if each sitting has at least C+ (300) in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 250 in Writing, and between them you reach the required grade in all four.
- No. The NMC only combines two sittings of the same test: two OET results, or two IELTS Academic results.
- No. The NMC needs all four sub-tests taken together in each sitting, so a single sub-test taken on its own does not count. OET resits and retakes.
- Each result must be no more than two years old when the NMC assesses your complete application. It counts your test dates, not your certificate dates.
- The NMC accepts OET@Home, but it is not offered in the UK. In the UK you sit OET on paper or on computer at a venue. Outside the UK, you can combine an OET@Home result with a paper or computer one.
- The Nursing test. The NMC asks every applicant, midwives included, to choose the Nursing version of OET.
- If after two tests you missed the score in one sub-test by no more than half a grade, and you have worked for 12 months in a non-registered role in a UK health or care setting, your employer may be able to support your application with supporting information from employers (SIFE). SIFE on nmc.org.uk.
Your OET journey starts here
Contact our teachers today. We keep supporting you until you pass.
Rules checked on 9 November 2026 on nmc.org.uk: NMC accepted English language tests, the NMC OET page, the NMC IELTS Academic page, Qualified in English, Recent practice in English and supporting information from employers.
