OET Score for Ireland: Registration Requirements for Nurses and Doctors

Internationally educated healthcare professionals seeking registration in Ireland must prove their English language proficiency. The Occupational English Test (OET) is accepted by both the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) and the Medical Council of Ireland (IMC).

This guide outlines the exact OET score requirements and score-combining rules for registration in Ireland. For a detailed breakdown of NMBI rules, see our NMBI OET requirements guide. If you are a medical doctor, consult our IMC OET requirements guide for licensure pathways.

NMBI Nursing OET Requirements

For nurses and midwives, the NMBI sets the following minimum OET scores:

• Listening: 350 (Grade B)
• Reading: 350 (Grade B)
• Speaking: 350 (Grade B)
• Writing: 300 (Grade C+)

The NMBI accepts both OET on paper and OET on computer taken at test centres.

IMC Medical OET Requirements

For doctors, the Medical Council of Ireland (IMC) requires higher scores across all sub-tests:

• Listening: 350 (Grade B)
• Reading: 350 (Grade B)
• Speaking: 350 (Grade B)
• Writing: 350 (Grade B)

Doctors must achieve these scores in a single sitting to qualify for registration.

Score Combining Rules in Ireland

The NMBI allows candidates to combine scores from two sittings of the OET to meet the requirements, provided they satisfy the following conditions:

1. 6-Month Window: The two tests must be taken within six months of each other.
2. All Sub-tests Taken: You must sit all four sub-tests in both sittings.
3. Minimum Scores: In both sittings, you must achieve a minimum score of 300 (Grade C+) in all four sub-tests.

Score Combining Example (Nurses)

• Sitting 1: L: 340, R: 360, S: 350, W: 290 (Failed - Writing is below 300, so this sitting cannot be combined).
• Sitting 2: L: 350, R: 330, S: 360, W: 310 (This sitting is valid: all scores are 300+, but Reading is 330, which is below the required 350. Since Sitting 1 had a Reading score of 360, these two sittings cannot be combined because Sitting 1 was invalid due to the Writing score).

If both sittings have all sub-test scores at 300 or above, they can be combined to meet the requirements.

Ensure you prepare thoroughly for each module to meet these Irish registration benchmarks.