| OET Score Range | 0-500 (Grade B = 350-440) |
| IELTS Equivalent for Grade B | Band 7.0 (for most countries) |
| Countries Accepting OET | UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Singapore, Namibia, Maldives | OET Validity Period | 2 years from test date |
- 1 United Kingdom (UK) - NMC Requirements
- 2 Ireland - NMBI Requirements
- 3 Australia - AHPRA/NMBA Requirements
- 4 New Zealand - Nursing Council Requirements
- 5 Dubai (UAE) - DHA/HAAD Requirements
- 6 Other Countries Accepting OET
- 7 OET Score vs IELTS vs PTE Comparison
- 8 How Prep27 Helps You Achieve Required Scores
OET Grade B Score Requirements by Country for Nurses in 2026
The Occupational English Test (OET) is accepted by nursing regulatory bodies in multiple English-speaking countries. Each country has specific score requirements, with Grade B (350-440) being the most common standard for nursing registration. Understanding these requirements is essential before you begin your preparation. This guide provides up-to-date OET requirements for the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, and other destinations.
Note that requirements can change. Always verify with the official regulatory body before applying. However, this guide reflects the standards in effect for 2026.
United Kingdom (UK) - Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Requirements
The NMC accepts OET for international nurse registration. The requirements are:
- Minimum Grade: Grade B (350-440) in all four subtests - Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking
- No resit restriction: You can retake individual subtests
- Combination of scores: From 2024 onward, you can combine scores from two test sittings within six months, provided you achieve Grade B in each subtest across the two sittings
- Validity: 2 years from test date
NMC accepts OET on Computer and OET on Paper. The OET at Home (remote proctoring) is not accepted for UK registration as of 2026. You must take the test at an official test venue.
Ireland - Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) Requirements
The NMBI requires overseas nurses to demonstrate English proficiency through OET:
- Minimum Grade: Grade B (350+) in all four subtests
- No subtest below Grade B: All four must meet the minimum
- Resit policy: You can retake individual subtests. NMBI accepts the best score from multiple attempts within two years
- Validity: 2 years
Ireland has a high demand for registered general nurses, psychiatric nurses, and intellectual disability nurses. OET is the preferred English test for many applicants from non-EU countries.
Australia - AHPRA and NMBA Requirements
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) set the following OET requirements:
- Minimum Grade: Grade B (350-440) in all four subtests
- Resit policy: You can retake individual subtests. NMBA accepts scores from multiple sittings provided all four subtests achieve Grade B within a six-month period
- Alternative pathway: If you achieve Grade B in three subtests and Grade C+ (300-340) in one subtest, you can apply for a 12-month supervised practice registration
- Validity: 2 years
Australia offers a unique concession: if you achieve B/B/B/C+ with the C+ in only one subtest, you may still be eligible for registration with conditions. This is not available in the UK or Ireland. Check AHPRA website for details.
New Zealand - Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) Requirements
The NCNZ requires OET for internationally qualified nurses (IQNs):
- Minimum Grade: Grade B (350-440) in all four subtests
- Resit policy: You may retake individual subtests. All four subtests must achieve Grade B before registration
- Programme of Competence: Nurses with Grade C+ in one subtest may be eligible for a competence assessment programme, but this is assessed case by case
- Validity: 2 years
| Country | Regulatory Body | Minimum OET Grade | Resit Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | NMC | B in all 4 subtests | Combine scores from 2 sittings within 6 months |
| Ireland | NMBI | B in all 4 subtests | Best score from multiple attempts |
| Australia | AHPRA/NMBA | B in all 4 subtests | C+ accepted with conditions in one subtest |
| New Zealand | NCNZ | B in all 4 subtests | Retake individual subtests |
Dubai (UAE) - DHA, HAAD, and MOH Requirements
The United Arab Emirates has multiple health authorities, each with specific OET requirements:
- Dubai Health Authority (DHA): Grade B (350+) in all four subtests for nurses
- Abu Dhabi (HAAD/DoH): Grade B (350+) in all four subtests
- Ministry of Health (MOH): Grade C+ (300-340) minimum, but Grade B preferred for better opportunities
- Validity: 2 years for DHA and HAAD; 1 year for MOH (verify as policies change)
Most government hospitals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi require Grade B. Private facilities may accept Grade C+ with experience.
Other Countries Accepting OET for Nursing Registration
Country Requirements
- Singapore (SNB): Grade B in all subtests
- Namibia (HPCNA): Grade B or equivalent
- Maldives (NMBI): Grade B preferred
- Qatar (DHP): Grade B for government roles
- Oman (MOH): Grade C+ minimum, B preferred
- Bahrain (NHRA): Grade B for specialist nurses
Countries that do NOT accept OET
- Canada: Requires IELTS or CELBAN (Canadian-specific test)
- USA (NCLEX): Requires IELTS or TOEFL (OET not accepted)
- Germany: Requires German language tests (Goethe, TELC)
OET Score vs IELTS vs PTE Comparison for Nursing Registration
| OET Grade | OET Score Range | IELTS Equivalent | PTE Academic Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| B (Highest) | 450-500 | 8.0-9.0 | 79-90 |
| B (Standard) | 350-440 | 7.0-7.5 | 65-78 |
| C+ | 300-340 | 6.5 | 58-64 |
| C | 200-290 | 5.5-6.0 | 42-57 |
Most nursing regulatory bodies requiring Grade B OET accept IELTS 7.0 (minimum 7.0 in each band) or PTE 65 (minimum 65 in each section) as alternatives. However, OET is often preferred by nurses because it uses healthcare-specific content.
OET requirements can change. Before booking your test or submitting applications, visit the official regulatory body website. This guide is accurate for 2026 but should be verified with official sources. NMC, NMBI, AHPRA, and NCNZ websites have the most current information.
How Prep27 Helps You Achieve Required Scores
Prep27 prepares you specifically for Grade B across all four OET subtests. The platform includes:
- Targeted mock tests calibrated to Grade B difficulty level
- Score predictors showing your estimated OET score (300-500 range)
- Country-specific score tracking - set your target country and track progress toward that requirement
- Writing evaluation with instant Grade prediction (A, B, C+, C)
- Speaking AI evaluating your Grade level in real time
- Performance analytics showing which subtests are below Grade B threshold
Whether you need Grade B for UK registration or the flexible Australian pathway, Prep27 provides the practice and feedback you need. Most users achieve Grade B after 6-8 weeks of regular practice with Prep27.
Most English-speaking countries require OET Grade B (350-440) for full nursing registration. The UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Dubai have strict requirements with some flexibility in Australia and New Zealand. OET is preferred over IELTS by many nurses because of healthcare-specific content. Use Prep27 to assess your readiness and track progress toward your target country's requirements. Always verify with the official regulatory body before applying.