United Kingdom · Professional registration
IELTS score for HCPC registration (allied health professions)
International applicants to the HCPC need IELTS 7.0 overall with no element below 6.5. Speech and language therapists need 8.0 overall with no element below 7.5.
Set by Health and Care Professions Council. Checked against the official source on 23 October 2026.
Scores required
Test: IELTS Academic or General Training
- Overall
- 7.0
- listening
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.5
- writing
- 6.5
- speaking
- 6.5
Scores are minimums: the score in each skill must be at least the figure shown, as well as the overall band.
What else to know
- Applies to international applicants whose primary qualification is not from one of the HCPC's listed English-speaking countries.
- IELTS Academic and General Training are accepted, in UKVI and standard versions, taken at an official test centre (not at home).
- The certificate must be no more than two years old when the HCPC receives your application.
- One Skill Retake is accepted if taken within 6 months of the original test and shown on the same test report.
- Speech and language therapists: IELTS 8.0 overall with no element below 7.5.
- TOEFL iBT (not taken in the UK) and OET are also accepted.
Recent and announced changes
Higher TOEFL iBT minimum scores apply to tests taken on or after 21 January 2026. The IELTS scores did not change.
Official sources
- HCPC: Certificate of English language proficiencywww.hcpc-uk.org/registration/getting-on-the-register/international-applications/documents/certificate-of-english-language-proficiency/
- HCPC: Certificate of English language proficiencywww.hcpc-uk.org/registration/getting-on-the-register/international-applications/documents/certificate-of-english-language-proficiency/
Figures confirmed by hand on 23 October 2026; sources last checked automatically on 23 October 2026. Requirements change: the official source always decides.
Preparing for this score
This requirement is for IELTS Academic. Writing is usually the hardest score to reach, so practise full Task 1 and Task 2 answers under time and check where you lose marks.
See how close you are to the score you need
Take a timed mock test and get estimated band scores for each skill, with the errors that are costing you marks.
Try a mock testOther requirements in United Kingdom
- NMC (nurses, midwives and nursing associates)Listening 7.0, reading 7.0, writing 6.5, speaking 7.0
- GMC (doctors)Overall 7.5; 7.0 in each skill
- GPhC (pharmacists and pharmacy technicians)Overall 7.0; 7.0 in each skill
- Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas5.5 in each skill; CEFR B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening
- Student visaCEFR B2 for degree-level study; CEFR B1 below degree level
- Family visa (partner or spouse)CEFR A1 for a first application; A2 to extend after 2.5 years; B1 for settlement after 5 years
This page summarises a published requirement. It is not immigration or legal advice, and we cannot advise on individual cases: for that, use the official body or a regulated adviser. IELTS is a registered trademark. IELTS Prep Studio is not affiliated with or endorsed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, or Cambridge Assessment English.