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OET for nurses: what nurses abroad need

OET 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

OET is an English test for health professionals. In our data, the nursing regulators below list OET (Nursing) as an accepted English test, each with its own minimum grades.

IELTS Academic is the other test most of them accept. Some regulators do not allow results from OET and IELTS to be mixed, so read the notes for your country.

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

    OET (Nursing)

    Requirement
    listening B (350), reading B (350), writing C+ (300), speaking B (350)
    Notes
    Same combination and 2-year validity rules as IELTS; IELTS and OET cannot be mixed.
    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 The PTE figures are from TruMerit's page and may be superseded.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

    OET

    Requirement
    listening 350, reading 360, writing 350, speaking 360
    Notes
    Tests on or after 23 Apr 2026. Tests on or before 22 Apr 2026: B, B, C+ (writing), B.
    Checked 29 October 2026Source
  • Canada

    OET (Ontario, CNO)

    Requirement
    listening B (350), reading C+ (330), writing C+ (320), speaking B (350)
    Notes
    CNO also accepts PTE Academic (L73 R66 W68 S75), TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
    Checked 29 October 2026Source
  • Ireland

    OET (Nursing)

    Requirement
    Grade B in three components and C+ in one component
    Notes
    One sitting only; OET@Home not accepted; under 2 years old.
    Checked 29 October 2026Source
  • New Zealand

    OET (Nursing)

    Requirement
    listening 350, reading 350, writing 300, speaking 350
    Notes
    Cannot mix OET with IELTS; fully online testing not accepted.
    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 OET for nurses?

OET is an English test for health professionals. In our data, the nursing regulators below list OET (Nursing) as an accepted English test, each with its own minimum grades. IELTS Academic is the other test most of them accept. Some regulators do not allow results from OET and IELTS to be mixed, so read the notes for your country.

Which countries need OET 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 OET for nurses?

United Kingdom, OET (Nursing): listening B (350), reading B (350), writing C+ (300), speaking B (350) (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, OET: listening 350, reading 360, writing 350, speaking 360 (checked 2026-10-29). Canada, OET (Ontario, CNO): listening B (350), reading C+ (330), writing C+ (320), speaking B (350) (checked 2026-10-29). Ireland, OET (Nursing): Grade B in three components and C+ in one component (checked 2026-10-29). New Zealand, OET (Nursing): listening 350, reading 350, writing 300, speaking 350 (checked 2026-10-29).

Where can I check the official rules or book OET 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 OET test (OET (official test owner)): https://www.oet.com/test/book-a-test.

Can I practise for OET for nurses here?

Yes. The OET reading pool has 1,145 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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