OET Eligibility 2026

OET Eligibility 2026 is designed to be simple and profession-focused, not restrictive. If you’re a healthcare professional planning to work, study, or register abroad, OET checks whether your English works in real clinical settings, not just in theory. There’s no age limit, no minimum academic percentage, and no complicated prerequisites. What matters is that you belong to one of the 12 recognised healthcare professions and can demonstrate English proficiency relevant to patient care, documentation, and workplace communication.

In 2026, OET continues to be widely accepted by licensing and regulatory bodies in countries like the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, making it a practical choice for doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals aiming for international careers.

Eligibility for OET Exam: List of 12 Recognised Healthcare Professions

The OET exam is offered only for 12 healthcare professionals who are looking for medical careers in UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand etc. Those healthcare professions are: 

• Medicine (Doctors) 
• Nursing 
• Dentistry 
• Pharmacy 
• Physiotherapy 
• Veterinary Science 
• Dietetics 
• Optometry 
• Podiatry 
• Occupational Therapy 
• Radiography 
• Speech Pathology 

This profession-specific structure ensures the test is fair and directly relevant to the work healthcare professionals perform daily. 

Check out OET exam for Nurses in 2026

Core OET Exam Eligibility Criteria for 2026

The OET eligibility requirements are released by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust (CBLA) on its official website. As of now, CBLA has laid no specific eligibility criteria for age, educational qualification, cutoffs or any country restriction. However, some requirements still need to be fulfilled which are focused on professional background, valid documentation, and compliance with OET test regulations. 

The Core requirements which needs to be fulfilled are: 

• The candidates should be qualified to register and practice in one of the 12 healthcare professions.  
• A valid passport is mandatory 
• A good command of the English language is mandatory. 

What Documents are Accepted For Registration and On Test Day? 

A valid, original and unexpired passport is the preferred identification document for OET. In certain cases, national government-issued photo IDs may also be accepted. The name on the ID must exactly match the one used during registration. If in the case of any mismatch in information, the candidate will either not be allowed to sit for the exam, or the result will be withheld. So, double check the information you are entering while registration. 

What is the Minimum Qualification to Sit in OET? 

The OET exam eligibility requires candidates to be trained or in training for one of the 12 recognised healthcare professions. Although test does not require any specific percentage requirement or qualification, the test is intended for professionals who need English proficiency for registration, study or employment abroad. For example, medical students in their final year or registered nurses preparing for international licensing are eligible to apply. 

Are there any Age Limits or Nationality Restrictions? 

There is no official age limit or nationality restriction for OET in 2026. Candidates of any age and from any country can sit for the exam, provided they belong to an eligible healthcare profession and present valid identification. However, some regulators or employers may impose additional criteria (such as recency of practice), so applicants should verify requirements with their target authority. 

Know how to register yourself for OET Exam for 2026

OET Eligibility Requirements by Healthcare Profession

The OET exam eligibility criteria apply to all healthcare professionals, but the acceptance policies and required scores often differ by profession. In 2026, doctors and nurses remain the largest applicant groups, but other medical fields such as dentistry, pharmacy, and physiotherapy also rely on OET for international registration and migration. 

What are the OET eligibility requirements for doctors in 2026? 

Doctors planning to practice in English-speaking countries can take the OET Medicine test. To be eligible, candidates must be medical students in their final years, recent graduates, or registered practitioners. In 2026, authorities like the General Medical Council (UK) and the ECFMG (USA) accept OET scores for licensing and registration. 

The score requirements in some countries are: 

• ECFMG (USA): One sitting only; Listening/Reading/Speaking ≥ 350, Writing ≥ 300 
• GMC (UK): Typically requires B grade (350) in all sub-tests; does not accept score combining 
• Australia & NZ: Minimum of 350 in each sub-test for medical registration 

What is OET Exam Eligibility for Nurses and Scores needed? 

The OET Nursing test is designed for registered nurses and nursing students preparing for overseas licensing. In 2026, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK) continues to recognize OET results, with the option to combine scores from two sittings under specific conditions. 

OET Score requirements for Nurses in 2026: 

• NMC (UK): Listening, Reading, Speaking ≥ 350, Writing ≥ 300 
• Combines allowed from two sittings (if minimum thresholds are met) 
• Ireland (NMBI): Minimum of 350 in all sub-tests 
• Australia & NZ: Typically require 350 across all sub-tests 

Must Read: What is the required fees for OET exam 2026? 

Which Other Medical Professions are Eligible for OET in 2026? 

As OET caters 12 medical professions (mentioned above), there are 10 other medical professions other than Doctors and nurses, who are eligible for OET in 2026. Professions include dentistry, dietetics, occupational therapy, pharmacy, radiography, veterinary science etc. 

Most regulators (UK, New Zealand, Australia) usually require 350 points per sub-test. T core combining policies vary by profession and country. 

OET Score Acceptance Criteria Across Different Countries 

OET scores are accepted in many countries with each of their regulatory bodies deciding minimum OET scores for specific profession. For eg: GMC and NMC overseeing Doctors’ and nurses’ recruitments in the UK. This section discusses OET eligible countries with their regulators and their minimum sub scores, plus rules on single vs combined sittings, score validity windows, and whether OET@Home is accepted. 

We’ll see OET accepted countries from start with the UK (NMC for nurses, GMC for doctors), then the USA (ECFMG for IMGs), followed by Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Use these country blocks to align your OET exam eligibility with the exact pathway for your profession, so you know the target scores, how retakes are treated, and the timelines you must meet. 

What OET Scores do UK Regulators Require in 2026? 

The UK is among the first choice for OET test-takers, especially doctors and nurses. Two main regulators, GMC (General Medical Council) and NMC (Nursery and Midwifery Council) are responsible for managing the threshold scores for registering as a working profession in the UK. 

Their score requirements are: 

Regulators	Professions	Minimum OET Score Requirement
NMC	Nurses / Midwifes	At least B grade (>350) in Listening, Reading and Speaking; At least C+ grade (≥ 300) in Writing
GMC	Doctors	A minimum of B grade (≥ 350 score) in all four sub-tests

While the NMC allows score combining across two sittings, the GMC is stricter and requires a single test performance. The Validity of these exam is two years, from the date of test. 

How much OET scores is required in USA? 

USA is another major acceptor of OET scores for International Medical Graduates (IMGs). A minimum score of 350 or B grade is required by ECFMG (Educational Commission for Medical Graduates), USA’s regulator for accepting OET scores. Other state level medical boards such as Oregon State Board of Nursing and Florida Board of Nursing have their own accepting scores: 

USA Body / Board	Profession(s)	Minimum OET Scores 2026
ECFMG (IMG certification U.S.)	Doctors (IMGs)	Listening/Reading/Speaking ≥ 350 (B); Writing ≥ 300 (C+)
Oregon State Board of Nursing	Nurses	A minimum score of 350 (Grade B) for all four sub-tests
Florida Board of Nursing	Nurses	A minimum score of 300 (Grade C+) for all four sub-tests

Note: For ECFMG, the scores are accepted for single sitting only. No partial scoring is allowed. 

What other Countries Accepting OET Scores Globally? 

Many other countries with their regulatory bodies and their OET accepted scores are given below in the table. 

Regulator	Professions	Score Required
NBMI (Ireland)	Nurses & Midwifes	Minimum score of 350 (Grade B) in Listening, Reading & Speaking & C+ (300) in Writing
AHPRA (Australia)	Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and other regulated professions	Commonly B in any three sub tests; C+ in the rest one.
MCNZ (New Zealand)	Doctors	A minimum of Grade B (Score 350) in all four sub-tests
NCNZ (New Zealand)	Nurses	C+ (300 points) in writing and B (at-least 350 points) in L/R/S sub-tests
CaRMS (Canada)	Doctors	A minimum of Grade B (Score 350) in all four sub-tests

Note: Ireland regulator (NBMI) doesn’t accept OET@Home scores. It accepts single results only. 

So, this can be evidently seen that mostly regulators from all OET accepting countries demand at-least B grade or 350 points in all four sub-tests and at-least B in Speaking/listening/Speaking and C+ in writing for Nurses and Midwifes. Requirements for other OET accepted professions can vary but mostly its like doctors and nurses. 

How Different Grades correspond to Score Ranges for OET Eligibility? 

OET is scored on the scale of 0 - 500 for each sub-tests (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking). These numerical scores are then mapped to corresponding grades. 

A table showing OET scores mapped against grades. This will help you understand what each grade means in context with grades. 

Grade	Score Range	Description
A	450 - 500	Can communicate fluently with appropriate registers, tone and lexis
B	350 - 440	Can communicate effectively with occasional inaccuracies and hesitations
C+	300-340	Maintain interaction in a relevant environment with occasional inaccuracies.
C	200 - 290
D	100 - 190	Can maintain some interaction with sometimes asking for clarification.
E	0 - 90	Can interact only on familiar topics. High occurrence of errors and misuse of technical language.

OET Score Validity Period and Retake Rules Explained

When planning your OET attempt, it’s important to understand both the validity period of your scores and the rules regarding retakes. OET results are typically valid for a fixed number of years, but the actual acceptance duration depends on the country and regulatory body you are applying to. Some boards strictly require one sitting, while others may allow clubbed scores across two sittings within a 6-month period. 

The table shows Validity period of every regulatory body with retake or clubbing policy. 

Country / Regulator	OET Score Validity	Retake / Clubbing Policy
UK (GMC / NMC)	2 Years	Clubbing allowed across 2 sittings within 6 months, provided minimum C+ in each paper and required B overall.
USA (ECFMG)	2 Years	One sitting only – no clubbing or partial scores accepted.
USA (Oregon & Florida Nursing Boards)	2 Years	One sitting required; no clubbing permitted.
Australia (AHPRA)	2 Years	Clubbing permitted (2 sittings within 6 months) if each sub-test score is no lower than C+.
New Zealand (MCNZ / NCNZ)	2 Years	Same clubbing rules as Australia (2 sittings, 6 months, C+ minimum).
Canada (NNAS)	2 Years	Clubbing accepted (2 sittings, 6 months, C+ minimum).
Ireland (NBMI / Medical Council)	2 Years	Clubbing allowed under same rules as UK.

OET vs IELTS: Which English Test Is Better for Healthcare Professionals?

While both IELTS and OET are widely used English proficiency exams, their purpose and format differ significantly. IELTS is a general academic/professional test accepted across all industries, while OET is specifically designed for healthcare professionals, making it more contextually relevant. Healthcare regulators in countries like the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA now accept OET as an alternative to IELTS for registration. 

Feature / Criteria	OET (Occupational English Test)	IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Target Audience	Healthcare professionals (12 fields)	Students, professionals, and migrants across all sectors
Test Content	Healthcare-specific (patient consultations, medical letters, healthcare listening)	General English (academic essays, lectures, conversations)
Scoring Scale	A (highest) to E (lowest), mapped to CEFR	Band score 0–9
Common Acceptance in Healthcare	UK (NMC/GMC), USA (ECFMG), Ireland, Australia, NZ, Canada	UK, Australia, NZ, Canada (for healthcare and other fields)
Clubbing / Retake Policy	Clubbing allowed in most countries (UK, Aus, NZ, Canada)	Some regulators accept clubbing; depends on body
Ease for Healthcare Workers	Easier as it uses real medical contexts	Harder for healthcare staff since topics are generic
Validity Period	2 years (usually)	2 years

Which UK Body Accepts OET vs IELTS in 2026? 

In the UK, both OET and IELTS are accepted for healthcare registration, but with slightly different score requirements: 

• NMC (Nursing & Midwifery Council): 
• OET: B in Reading, Listening, Speaking & C+ in Writing (clubbed scores allowed across 2 sittings). 
• IELTS: Overall 7.0, with 6.5 in Writing and 7.0 in other sub-tests. 
• GMC (General Medical Council): 
• OET: Grade B (350+) in all four sub-tests in one or two sittings. 
• IELTS: Overall 7.5, with 7.0 in each sub-test. 

Conclusion 

OET eligibility is considered to be the initial step that healthcare professionals should complete in case they wish to work or study in another country in 2026. Regardless of whether you are a medical professional like a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or a dentist, OET ensures a level playing field in which to prove your ability to use English in a medical environment. OET was accepted by global regulators like the UK NMC/GMC, the USA ECFMG, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand and this has made it a reliable alternative to IELTS. 

Applicants should consult requirements of their profession and country because minimum scores may vary and the eligibility criteria can be different too. Strategic planning with an eye to regulatory change can go a long way to ensuring that they have the best shot of succeeding and opening up the international market. 

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