The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has announced it will formally recognise OET for overseas-trained nurses and midwives for registration purposes, from 1 November 2017. You will need to achieve at least Grade B in all four sub-tests of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
In OET you must achieve at least Grade B in all four sub-tests of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
NMC will only accept OET test results:
- From one test administration, or
- From a maximum of two test administrations taken in a six-month period, only if:
- You achieve a minimum B grade in Listening, Reading and Speaking and a C+ in Writing across the two test administrations
- You are tested in all four sub-tests in each administration, and
- No grade in any sub-test is below C+
- Both tests were taken from February 2016 onwards.
NMC will only accept results from OET test administrations taken from February 2016 onwards.
They will not accept applicants with grades lower than this standard.
All OET Statement of Results issued from the November 2017 test administration onwards will show Grades A, B, C+, C, D & E.
OET is designed for the healthcare sector and test materials reflect real healthcare scenarios. OET Grade B is equivalent to an IELTS score of 7.0. For more information on how to prepare for OET and apply to take OET, go to www.occupationalenglishtest.org.
Can I still combine my results?
You can still combine your grades if you meet the requirements set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
What happens if I’ve booked a test, but I no longer need to sit it?
If you no longer need to sit OET because you now meet the requirement set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, you can withdraw through your myOET account.
For more information about withdrawing, please see the OET Test Regulations or the Withdraw FAQ.
We cannot provide refunds if you sat OET previously but had already scored a C+ in the Writing sub-test in a previous test.
Which OET results will the NMC change affect?
The change implemented by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) will come into effect on 28 January 2020 and will and will apply to all tests taken since 28 January 2018.
What has the Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMC) changed?
The Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMC) has changed the writing requirement score from a B to a C+. The change will come into effect on 28 January 2020 and will apply to all tests taken since 28 January 2018.
For more information, please read through the OET NMC press release.
