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IELTS for nurses: what nurses abroad need

IELTS for nurses explained for nurses: which countries need it, the score or result each regulator sets, and where to book. Every figure shows its official source and the date we checked it.

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What it is

IELTS Academic is an English test accepted by the nursing regulators below. Each regulator sets its own minimum scores per skill. Several also set rules on how many sittings may be combined and on how old the result may be.

Read the notes for your country and open the source link before you book.

Which countries need it

The score or requirement in each country

Each entry shows the date we checked it and a link to the official page it comes from.

  • United Kingdom

    IELTS Academic

    Requirement
    listening 7, reading 7, writing 6.5, speaking 7
    Notes
    Only IELTS Academic and OET are accepted. Two sittings of the same test within 12 months may be combined if each meets the floor; scores valid 2 years at assessment.
    Checked 29 October 2026Source
  • United States

    VisaScreen approved tests: IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, PTE Academic, Cambridge (B2/C1/C2), MET

    Requirement
    (not confirmed today)
    Notes
    USCIS and HRSA updated approved providers and passing scores for exams taken after 12 May 2026; the official score chart was not readable today. The PTE figures are from TruMerit's page and may be superseded. At-home tests not accepted.
    Checked 29 October 2026Source
  • Australia

    IELTS Academic

    Requirement
    overall 7, listening 7, reading 7, writing 6.5, speaking 7
    Notes
    Tests on or after 23 Apr 2026 (unchanged from before). Up to two sittings of the same test within 12 months; in two sittings no component below 6.5.
    Checked 29 October 2026Source
  • Canada

    IELTS (Ontario, CNO: General or Academic)

    Requirement
    overall 7, listening 7, reading 6.5, writing 6.5, speaking 7
    Notes
    Same attempt (One Skill Retake within 60 days allowed). Policy revised 12 Aug 2024.
    Checked 29 October 2026Source
  • Canada

    IELTS Academic (Alberta, CRNA)

    Requirement
    overall 7, listening 7, reading 6.5, writing 6.5, speaking 7
    Notes
    CRNA accepts only IELTS Academic and CELBAN (L9 R8 W7 S8); valid 2 years.
    Checked 29 October 2026Source
  • Ireland

    IELTS Academic

    Requirement
    overall 7; 7.0 in any three components and 6.5 in any one component
    Notes
    One sitting only (no combined results). Under 2 years old. IELTS One Skill Retake and IELTS Online not accepted. Exempt if trained in, or 3 of last 5 years practising in, a recognised majority English-speaking country.
    Checked 29 October 2026Source
  • New Zealand

    IELTS Academic

    Requirement
    listening 7, reading 7, writing 6.5, speaking 7
    Notes
    Same-test sittings may be combined ('clubbing') if all scores are met within 12 months of the first sitting; test-centre only.
    Checked 29 October 2026Source

Official booking and regulator links

The regulator page for each country and the official booking pages we checked.

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Questions and answers

What is IELTS for nurses?

IELTS Academic is an English test accepted by the nursing regulators below. Each regulator sets its own minimum scores per skill. Several also set rules on how many sittings may be combined and on how old the result may be. Read the notes for your country and open the source link before you book.

Which countries need IELTS for nurses?

In the destination data we hold: United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand. Each country page shows the regulator, the exam, the score and the date we last checked.

What score or result does each country require for IELTS for nurses?

United Kingdom, IELTS Academic: listening 7, reading 7, writing 6.5, speaking 7 (checked 2026-10-29). United States, VisaScreen approved tests: IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, PTE Academic, Cambridge (B2/C1/C2), MET: (not confirmed today) (checked 2026-10-29). Australia, IELTS Academic: overall 7, listening 7, reading 7, writing 6.5, speaking 7 (checked 2026-10-29). Canada, IELTS (Ontario, CNO: General or Academic): overall 7, listening 7, reading 6.5, writing 6.5, speaking 7 (checked 2026-10-29). Canada, IELTS Academic (Alberta, CRNA): overall 7, listening 7, reading 6.5, writing 6.5, speaking 7 (checked 2026-10-29). Ireland, IELTS Academic: overall 7; 7.0 in any three components and 6.5 in any one component (checked 2026-10-29). New Zealand, IELTS Academic: listening 7, reading 7, writing 6.5, speaking 7 (checked 2026-10-29).

Where can I check the official rules or book IELTS for nurses?

United Kingdom, Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC): https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/register-nurse-midwife/trained-outside-uk/; United States, State boards of nursing; NCSBN (NCLEX): https://nclex.com/fees-payment.htm; Australia, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), administered by Ahpra: https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/FAQ/Transition-to-a-new-assessment-model-for-internationally-qualified-nurses-and-midwives; Canada, Provincial nursing regulators; NNAS for credential assessment in most provinces: https://www.cno.org/nnas; Ireland, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI): https://www.nmbi.ie/NMBI/media/NMBI/NMBI-Recognition-and-Registration-for-Non-EU-Overseas-Applicants-FAQs.pdf?ext=.pdf; New Zealand, Nursing Council of New Zealand (Te Kaunihera Tapuhi o Aotearoa): https://www.nursingcouncil.org.nz/IQN; United Kingdom, Book an IELTS test (IELTS (official test owners)): https://ielts.org/take-a-test/booking-your-test.

Can I practise for IELTS for nurses here?

Yes. The IELTS Academic reading pool has 820 free practice questions. They are drafted with automated tools, checked by automated review steps, are not official exam material and are not reviewed item by item by a licensed nurse. Start with 5 questions.

General information from official sources, not legal or immigration advice.

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