IELTS · Guides · October 24, 2026 · 2 min read
IELTS for nurses and doctors in the UK: NMC 7.0 / 6.5 and GMC 7.5 explained
UK health regulators set their own IELTS scores, higher than any visa. Nurses and midwives (NMC) need IELTS Academic with 7 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing. Doctors (GMC) need IELTS Academic 7.5 overall with at least 7.0 in each skill. Both must be taken at a test centre. Checked on the NMC site and GMC documents on 24 October 2026.
Nurses and midwives: NMC
| Skill | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Listening | 7.0 |
| Reading | 7.0 |
| Speaking | 7.0 |
| Writing | 6.5 |
There is no separate overall requirement. Only IELTS Academic taken in a test centre counts.
Combining two sittings
The NMC lets you use results from two tests if:
- the tests were taken no more than 12 months apart, and both are under two years old when your application is assessed;
- you sat all four skills each time;
- each required score was achieved in at least one of the two tests;
- no score in either test was below 6.5 in Listening, Reading or Speaking, or below 6.0 in Writing.
IELTS and OET results cannot be combined with each other.
Doctors: GMC
- IELTS Academic (including IELTS for UKVI): 7.5 overall and 7.0 in each skill, achieved in a single sitting, and it must be your most recent test.
- One Skill Retake is accepted once, within 60 days, after a computer-delivered test at a centre (as GMC guidance for related professions describes; check the current GMC page for doctors).
- The certificate is valid for two years and must be valid when you apply.
The GMC also accepts OET with its own grades.
Why Writing is the hard part
For many nurses, Listening, Reading and Speaking reach 7 first, while Writing stays at 6 or 6.5. Writing is marked on four criteria, and the step from 6 to 7 is mostly about developing each idea fully and controlling complex sentences. See IELTS marking criteria and practise the five Task 2 essay types.
Common questions
Is IELTS General Training accepted by the NMC? No. Only IELTS Academic.
What visa do nurses need? The Health and Care Worker visa, which requires B2 English (5.5 in each skill of IELTS for UKVI). A result that meets the NMC standard is far above that. See IELTS score for the UK.
How do I know if my Writing is at 7? Write timed essays and get them marked on the official criteria. The Nomto practice room marks each essay on the four criteria with comments.
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