International English Language Testing (IELTS)

All non EU trained applicants to the nurses or midwives part of the register must complete and provide evidence of the International English Language Test (IELTS) before submitting their application to the NMC.

You must complete the academic version of the IELTS test and achieve:

  • At least 7.0 in the listening and reading sections
  • At least 7.0 in the writing and speaking sections
  • At least 7.0 (out of a possible 9) overall

We will not accept applicants who score lower than this standard.

Frequently asked questions about IELTS

Why has the NMC for the past nine months expected nurses to pass an IELTS test and not midwives?

In the past midwifery applicants have been required to undertake the English language test but this previously could be taken within the Midwifery Adaptation Course. This has been part of the evidence required by the NMC on completion of the course to enable registration as a midwife. The new standard requires midwifery applicants to submit their IELTS score as part of the initial part of the application process.

Why has the NMC decided to set the minimum language pass score for nursing and midwifery at 7.0 when previously it had been 6.5?

As a result of public consultations for both nursing (November 2003) and midwifery (October 2005) and evidence collected from the British Council, the NMC decided that a score of 7 was the lowest level acceptable for language skills. This applies equally to nurses and midwives who apply for registration from the 1 February 2007.

I sat and passed IELTS at the required level more than two years ago. Will the NMC still accept this now?

The British Council states that they cannot verify an IELTS test score that is older than two years. Where the test score is more than two years old, it can only be accepted as evidence of present level of ability if the person can prove that they have actively used or tried to improve their English language proficiency. You are therefore advised to resit your IELTS test in these circumstances.

I live in a country where there is no British Council test centre. Will the NMC still expect me to undertake a test before I start the application process?

The British Council has over 300 test centres in over 100 countries. A full list of test centres is available on the IELTS website www.ielts.org. If there is no IELTS test centre in your country please access the IELTS website for more information, or alternatively contact the British Council directly for assistance. All overseas applicants who apply for NMC registration must meet the standard for English language. There is no exception to this requirement

Why does the NMC use the British Council’s International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for overseas-trained nurses and midwives?

The NMC uses the British Council’s International English Language Testing System because it has international use and recognition within nursing and midwifery. Most other healthcare regulators in the UK also use it.

Why does the NMC expect nurses and midwives from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and the USA to pass an English language test before applying for registration? Will the NMC consider waiving the IELTS requirements for these countries in the future?

All overseas applicants are required to meet the NMC standard for English language regardless of where they come from. This ensures that all applicants meet the same standard in a system that is equitable, fair and non-discriminatory. There are no plans by the NMC at present to waive the IELTS requirements for these countries.

Why does the NMC require overseas applicants to undertake an IELTS test and not applicants who are EU nationals who were trained in the EU?

Under European Legislation the NMC is not allowed to ask EU trained EU nationals to demonstrate language competency as a requirement for registration in the UK. All applicants, who were trained outside the EU, are required by the NMC Education, Registration and Registration Appeals Rules 2004 to provide evidence that they have sufficient knowledge of English to enable them to practice as a nurse or midwife safely and competently in the UK.

The English language score of 7.0 is considered to be the standard of English that is required in order to function competently and expertly in a degree holding profession and as a registrant. For applicants from outside of the EU it is regarded to be a principle competency needed to ensure the required standard can be met via the mechanisms of the Overseas Nursing Programme or the Midwifery Adaptation Course.

Created date :
29/04/2010
Modified date :
29/04/2010