United Kingdom · Professional registration
IELTS score for NMC registration (nurses, midwives and nursing associates)
The NMC accepts IELTS Academic with at least 7 in reading, listening and speaking and at least 6.5 in writing. It does not set an overall band.
Set by Nursing and Midwifery Council. Checked against the official source on 23 October 2026.
Scores required
Test: IELTS Academic
- listening
- 7.0
- reading
- 7.0
- writing
- 6.5
- speaking
- 7.0
Scores are minimums: the score in each skill must be at least the figure shown.
What else to know
- Paper-based and computer-based IELTS Academic taken at a test centre are accepted, including IELTS Academic for UKVI.
- IELTS General Training, IELTS Online, the IELTS Indicator test and IELTS One Skill Retake are not accepted.
- You can combine scores from two sittings taken within 12 months of each other, as long as each skill reaches its required score in one of them.
- When combining, no score in either sitting may be below 6.5 in listening, reading or speaking, or below 6 in writing. IELTS and OET results cannot be combined.
- Test dates must be no more than two years old when the NMC assesses your complete application.
- The only other test accepted is OET: grade B (350 or above) in listening, reading and speaking, and C+ (300 or above) in writing.
Official sources
- NMC: IELTS Academicwww.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/english-language-requirements/accepted-english-language-tests/ielts-academic/
- NMC: Accepted English language testswww.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/english-language-requirements/accepted-english-language-tests/
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
- GMC (doctors)Overall 7.5; 7.0 in each skill
- HCPC (allied health professions)Overall 7.0; 6.5 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.