OET Accepted Countries & Required Grades for Overseas Nurses ( Complete Guide )
English Language Requirements for Non-English Speaking Nurses in Several Countries: OET Grade Details and Clubbing Policies
AUSTRALIA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency – AHPRA and Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia – NMBA)
Official Link: https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx
OET Minimum Scores (for Nurses/Midwives):
Listening: B (350-440)
Reading: B (350-440)
Writing: C+ (300-340)
Speaking: B (350-440)
Clubbing Policy: Accepted.
Australia will only accept test results from:
i. one test sitting, or
ii. a maximum of two test sittings in a 12-month period and only if the requirements for test results, such as when the test must be taken, type/modality of test, and the required minimum scores, specified in this standard are met as set out in this standard.”
Specific conditions for two sittings: “you are tested in all four components in each sitting, and… you achieve a minimum score of B in each component for listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of C+ for writing across the two sittings, and… when using two test sittings no score in any component of the test(s) for either test sitting is below C+.”
Summary: AHPRA allows combining scores from up to two OET sittings within 12 months. All four components must be taken in each sitting, and no score in any component from either of the two sittings can be below a C+.
NEW ZEALAND (Nursing Council of New Zealand – NCNZ)
Official Link: https://www.nursingcouncil.org.nz/IQN/H5.aspx?WebsiteKey=fa279da8-a3b1-4dad-94af-2a67fe08c81b
OET Minimum Scores:
Listening: 350 (Grade B)
Reading: 350 (Grade B)
Writing: 300 (Grade C+)
Speaking: 350 (Grade B)
Clubbing Policy: Accepted.
“You can achieve the minimum score in the English language tests over more than one sitting, however, the required scores must be achieved within 12 months of first sitting the test, and all sittings must be completed within the three years prior to your application to NCNZ. (You can sit modules individually as well)”
Summary: NCNZ allows combining scores from multiple sittings. The required scores must be achieved within 12 months of the first test sitting, and all relevant sittings must be within three years of the application date. Individual modules can be sat separately.
IRELAND (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland – NMBI)
Official Link: https://www.nmbi.ie/Registration/Qualified-outside-the-EU/Application-Process/English-Language-Requirements
OET Minimum Grades:
Listening: B (350 – 450)
Reading: B (350 – 450)
Writing: C+ (300 – 340)
Speaking: B (350 – 450)
Specific Note from NMBI: “OET (Nursing) with Grade B in three modules and C+ in any one module.”
Clubbing Policy: NOT accepted.
“Ireland only accepts one test result and does not accept combined results.”
“Ireland does not accept IELTS online or OET at home.”
Summary: NMBI is strict on a single sitting. All minimum scores (B in three modules, C+ in one module) must be achieved in one single test sitting. The flexibility means that the C+ can be in any of the four modules, as long as the other three are B.
THE UK (Nursing and Midwifery Council – NMC)
Official Source: NMC English Language Requirements (consistent with reliable OET prep sites that cite NMC).
OET Minimum Scores:
Listening: B (350+)
Reading: B (350+)
Writing: C+ (300+)
Speaking: B (350+)
Clubbing Policy: Accepted under specific conditions.
- Tests must be sat within 12 months of each other.
- Both tests must be completed no more than two years before the NMC assesses your complete application.
- You must be tested in all four domains at the same time in each sitting.
- You need to achieve a required pass score (B for L, R, S; C+ for W) in each of the four domains across the two test sittings.
- All of your test scores across both sittings must be equal to or higher than specific minimum scores: C+ (300-340) for Listening, Reading, and Speaking, and C (250-290) for Writing. This means no module score in either sitting can be below these specific minimums.
Summary: The NMC allows combining scores from up to two OET sittings within 12 months, provided minimum component scores are met in both sittings.
MALTA (Council for Nurses and Midwives of Malta)
Official Link: https://nursesandmidwivescouncil.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Application-with-CNM-Non-EU-2024.pdf (Refer to page 5, point 7i)
OET Minimum Scores:
Speaking: B
Listening: C+
Reading: C+
Writing: C+
Clubbing Policy: Accepted.
“Clubbing of results is considered by the Council when the required scores are obtained in 2 results which are valid and have been undertaken within 6 months of each other.”
Summary: Malta allows combining scores from two valid OET results, provided they are taken within 6 months of each other.
CANADA (Provincial Nursing Regulatory Bodies)
Official Links: No single official link as policies are provincial. Some provinces, like Ontario (CNO), have updated policies.
OET Minimum Scores: Often B (350+) in all four sections, but can vary by province.
Clubbing Policy: Varies by province and specific regulatory body.
Example (Ontario – CNO): The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) does accept combining results from a maximum of two OET sittings, if the tests are taken within six months of each other. Specific minimum scores are required in each component in each sitting.
Other Provinces: Some provinces may require all scores in one sitting.
Recommendation: It is absolutely critical to check with the specific provincial nursing regulatory body (e.g., College of Nurses of Ontario, British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives, College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta, etc.) where you plan to register, as their policies differ significantly and can change.
THE USA (State Nursing Boards – e.g., Oregon, Florida)
Official Links: Policies vary by state. General trend observed from various state board guidelines.
OET Minimum Scores: Often varies by state, but commonly B (350) in all four sub-tests for RNs, sometimes C+ (300) in Writing.
Clubbing Policy: Generally, most US State Boards of Nursing do NOT explicitly state clubbing policies for OET, which usually implies that all required scores must be achieved in a single test sitting.
Doubtful for Clubbing: While some third-party sites mention clubbing possibilities, official state board guidance usually emphasizes a single sitting.
Recommendation: This is highly state-dependent. You MUST check directly with the specific State Board of Nursing where you intend to register for their definitive and most current policy on OET score acceptance and clubbing.
SINGAPORE (Singapore Nursing Board – SNB)
Official Links: No direct links provided in your text. However, SNB’s policy is widely known.
OET Minimum Scores: Typically B (350+) in all four sub-tests.
Clubbing Policy: NOT accepted. The SNB explicitly states that it “does not accept combined OET scores from multiple attempts.”
Summary: All required scores must be achieved in a single test sitting.
THE PHILIPPINES (for overseas registration)
Official Links: No specific Philippine nursing council OET policy link provided, as OET is primarily for international applications.
Clubbing Policy: For nurses from the Philippines applying for registration in countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, etc., the clubbing rules of the receiving country’s regulatory body (e.g., UK NMC, AHPRA, NCNZ) apply.
Summary: Clubbing policy depends entirely on the destination country’s nursing regulatory body.
MALDIVES (Maldives Nursing and Midwifery Council)
Official Links: No direct links found that explicitly detail OET requirements or clubbing.
OET Minimum Scores: Often stated as B (350+) or C+ (300+) for nurses, and sometimes even C during certain periods.
Clubbing Policy: Not explicitly detailed on readily accessible official sources.
Recommendation: It’s best to confirm directly with the Maldives Nursing and Midwifery Council for their most current and specific requirements regarding combining scores. Assume a single sitting unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Here are some free OET learning resources from Mihiraa
OET LISTENING & READING – Listening With Mihiraa
youtube.com/@listeningwithmihiraa
OET SPEAKING TRANSCRIPT – Speak With Mihiraa
youtube.com/@speakwithmihiraa
Mihiraa OET
youtube.com/@mihiraa
Healthcare English by Mihiraa
youtube.com/@HealthcareEnglishByMihiraa
Crucial and Repeated Disclaimer: The information below is based on the most current official public guidelines found on the respective regulatory body websites as of today, Monday, June 9, 2025. However, English language policies, especially concerning score combination/clubbing, are subject to frequent change and nuances. Nurses MUST verify the latest, specific requirements directly with the official professional registration body or council they are applying to, as even minor details can significantly impact eligibility. Do not rely solely on this or any general guide.