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IELTS for Nurses: Scores for the UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and Canada
To register as a nurse in the UK, Australia or New Zealand, you need IELTS Academic with at least 7.0 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing. Ireland asks for 7.0 overall, with 7.0 in three skills and at least 6.5 in the fourth. In Ontario, Canada, the College of Nurses accepts IELTS Academic or General Training with 7 overall, 7.0 in Listening and Speaking, and 6.5 in Reading and Writing.
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- UK (NMC)
- L, R, S 7.0; W 6.5
- Australia (NMBA)
- Overall 7; L, R, S 7.0; W 6.5
- Ireland (NMBI)
- Overall 7.0; 7.0 in three skills, 6.5 in one
- New Zealand
- L, R, S 7.0; W 6.5
- Ontario, Canada (CNO)
- Total 7; L, S 7.0; R, W 6.5
- Test
- IELTS Academic (Ontario also accepts General Training)
IELTS scores nurses need, by country (2026)
| Country (regulator) | Minimum scores | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| UK (NMC) | 7.0 in Listening, Reading and Speaking; 6.5 in Writing | Not set separately |
| Australia (NMBA) | 7.0 in Listening, Reading and Speaking; 6.5 in Writing | 7.0 |
| Ireland (NMBI) | 7.0 in three skills; 6.5 in the fourth | 7.0 |
| New Zealand (NCNZ) | 7.0 in Listening, Reading and Speaking; 6.5 in Writing | Not set separately |
| Ontario, Canada (CNO) | 7.0 in Listening and Speaking; 6.5 in Reading and Writing (General Training also accepted) | 7.0 |
Most regulators accept 6.5 in Writing, the skill many nurses find hardest, and ask for 7.0 in every other skill. Where no separate overall score is set, meeting the four skill minimums already gives an overall band of 7.0.
Country-by-country rules
United Kingdom (NMC)
- IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic UKVI, with 7.0 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing.
- The NMC does not accept IELTS Online. Results are valid for two years.
- You can combine two sittings taken within 12 months if no score in either sitting is below 6.5, or 6.0 in Writing.
Australia (NMBA)
- IELTS Academic with an overall score of 7, 7.0 in Listening, Reading and Speaking, and 6.5 in Writing.
- Only the paper test or the computer test taken at a test centre counts, not an online test.
- Two sittings within 12 months can be combined under set conditions, with no score below 6.5 in either sitting.
Ireland (NMBI)
- IELTS Academic with 7.0 overall, at least 7.0 in three skills and at least 6.5 in the fourth.
- Results must be less than two years old. NMBI does not accept combined results, IELTS One Skill Retake or IELTS Online.
New Zealand (Nursing Council)
- IELTS Academic with 7.0 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing.
- The scores must be achieved within 12 months of your first sitting, and all sittings must be within the three years before you apply.
- The test must be taken at a test centre, on paper or on computer, not fully online.
Canada
- Ontario (CNO): IELTS Academic or General Training, with 7.0 in Listening and Speaking, 6.5 in Reading and Writing, and 7 overall. Results are accepted within two years of registering.
- British Columbia (BCCNM): for applications since 31 January 2023, language proficiency is assessed by Inspire Global Assessments, and IELTS Academic must be taken in person.
- Other provinces set their own requirements, so check your provincial regulator.
Why nurses miss the score, and what helps
- Writing 6.5: Task 1 in Academic describes a chart, table or process, which is new for many nurses. Practise both tasks and get each one marked.
- Speaking 7.0: needs fluent, detailed answers without long pauses. Practise with a person, not only with an app.
- Reading 7.0: Academic passages are long, so timing matters as much as vocabulary. Take timed practice tests.
- Listening 7.0: most marks are lost on spelling and word limits, so check every answer against the instructions.
Planning Canada PR as a nurse?
For Express Entry, IRCC accepts IELTS General Training, not Academic. If your nursing regulator needs Academic, you may need two different tests. In Ontario, the College of Nurses accepts General Training too, so one General Training result can count for both if it meets both sets of scores. Express Entry also runs rounds for healthcare occupations.
How to plan your IELTS
- Check your regulator’s current rule before you book. The numbers above can change.
- Book IELTS Academic at a test centre, on paper or on computer, unless your regulator says otherwise.
- Leave time for a second sitting if your regulator lets you combine results, and remember Ireland does not.
- Track the expiry date. Most regulators want recent results, often less than two years old.
Official sources
- IELTS Academic requirements (Nursing and Midwifery Council, UK)
- English language skills registration standard (Ahpra, Australia)
- English language requirements (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland)
- English language requirements (Nursing Council of New Zealand)
- Proficiency in English or French (College of Nurses of Ontario)
- English proficiency (BC College of Nurses and Midwives)
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score do nurses need for the UK?
What IELTS score do nurses need for Australia?
What IELTS score do nurses need for Ireland?
Can nurses use IELTS General Training?
Can I combine two IELTS results for nursing registration?
Is IELTS Online accepted for nursing registration?
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