Skilled Worker applicants need to prove English at CEFR B1 in all four skills. Professional regulators (NMC, GMC, HCPC, SWE) often demand a higher standard — that is usually the binding constraint for healthcare workers.
Routes to proving English
- Be a national of a majority-English-speaking country (USA, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland, several Caribbean nations).
- Hold a degree taught in English (Ecctis academic equivalence assessment required).
- Pass an approved Secure English Language Test — IELTS UKVI, OET, PTE Academic UKVI, etc.
IELTS vs OET for clinicians
OET tests the same English skills as IELTS but uses healthcare-specific content (a doctor talking to a patient, a nurse writing a referral letter, etc.). Most clinicians find OET easier because the topics are familiar. Both are accepted by the NMC, GMC, HCPC, and the Home Office.
Required NMC / GMC scores
- NMC (nurses): IELTS 7.0 in each band, OR OET B in each section.
- GMC (doctors): IELTS 7.5 overall (7.0 minimum in each), OR OET B in each section.
- HCPC (AHPs): IELTS 7.0 in each band, OR OET B in each.