NMC (Nursing And Midwifery Council) UK accepts 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.
IELTS
We will accept an IELTS Academic examination certificate that confirms you achieved:
- an overall score of at least 7, and
- at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7 in the reading, listening and speaking sections.
We accept both the paper based and computer based IELTS Academic test delivered at a test center.
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 the standards we require for registration.
Combining IELTS test scores
You can achieve the required mark across two test sittings if:
- you sit the tests within six months of each other
- you’re tested in all four sections at the same time
- all scores in both sittings are above 6.5, and
- you achieve at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7 in the reading, listening and speaking sections in either of the two test sittings.
Examples of combining IELTS scores
Combined IELTS scores: Accepted
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| Test 1 | 7 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 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.
Combined IELTS scores: Not Accepted
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| Test 1 | 6 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 7 |
| Test 2 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
This application would not be accepted. The applicant has a score lower than 6.5.
Click Here to visit IELTS website for more.
OET
We will accept an OET examination certificate that confirms you achieved:
- at least a grade C+ in the writing section, and
- at least a grade B in the reading, listening and speaking sections.
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 test sittings if:
- you sit the tests within six months of each other
- you’re tested in all four sections at the same time
- all grades in both sittings are above grade C+, and
- you achieve at least a grade C+ in the writing section and at least a grade B in the reading, listening and speaking sections in either of the two test sittings.
Examples of combining OET scores
Combined OET scores: Accepted
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| Test 1 | C+ | B | B | B |
| Test 2 | B | B | C+ | B |
The applicant has scored at least grade B in the listening, speaking and reading sections and at least grade C+ in the writing section in either of the two test sittings, and no score is lower than grade C+.
Combined OET scores: Not Accepted
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| Test 1 | C+ | B | B | B |
| Test 2 | C | B | C+ | B |
This application would not be accepted. The applicant has scored lower than grade C+.
More information is available at Nursing and Midwifery Council website
https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/english-language-requirements/accepted-tests/
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