OET Exams

In the UK, OET is accepted by major healthcare regulators including the Nurses and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the General Medical Council (GMC) as an alternative to IELTS for meeting their English language requirements.

If you’re applying to register and work in the UK as a nurse, midwife, or doctor, OET can be used to show you have the level of English needed for safe, effective communication in healthcare settings.

For the most up-to-date details (including required grades and accepted test options), check the official guidance here:

• NMC English language requirements

• GMC English language requirements

OET (Occupational English Test) is different from IELTS because it is designed specifically for healthcare professionals. OET uses realistic workplace scenarios (such as patient consultations, referrals, discharge letters and handovers) and assesses the English you need to communicate safely and effectively in a clinical setting.

IELTS, on the other hand, is a general English exam (Academic or General Training) that tests broader language ability for study, work, or migration. It isn’t healthcare-specific, so the tasks and vocabulary are not focused on medical communication.

In short: OET = healthcare workplace English, while IELTS = general/academic English for wider purposes.

You can take OET at Live Language in Glasgow, but OET manages the full booking process (registration, payment, candidate login, results and certificates).

When can I take the exam?

OET test dates are typically available around twice per month (availability can vary by location and test type). The best way to confirm upcoming dates is on the official OET booking page.

How do I register?

To register, you’ll need to create an OET account and book your test directly with OET. This is also where you’ll choose your test date and test venue (including Live Language, if available).

Need help with registration, login, or results?

For issues like booking, account access, payments, or results, you should contact OET Support directly, as these are handled by OET rather than the test venue.

Yes — Live Language offers OET preparation courses and support in several flexible formats, so you can choose what suits your schedule, learning style, and profession.

We currently offer:

• Face-to-face OET classes in Glasgow (ideal if you want structured support and regular feedback)

• Online self-study OET courses you can complete at your own pace (great for busy healthcare professionals)

• Private OET lessons (in school or online), tailored to your profession and the sub-tests you need most support with

Our OET preparation focuses on the language and communication skills you need in real healthcare settings, including exam technique, speaking role-plays, writing tasks, and targeted feedback to help you improve quickly.

The OET grade you need for the UK depends on the regulator and your profession (for example, the NMC for nurses and midwives, or the GMC for doctors). Each regulator sets its own minimum requirements for the four OET sub-tests: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

Because requirements can change, the safest approach is to check the official guidance before you book your exam:

• NMC English language requirements (OET)

• GMC English language requirements (OET)

OET (Occupational English Test) assesses the English you need in healthcare through four sub-tests: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each part uses healthcare contexts, so the tasks feel closer to real workplace communication than a general English exam.

• Listening: You listen to healthcare-related audio (such as consultations or workplace conversations) and answer questions to show you can understand key information, detail, and meaning.

• Reading: You read a range of healthcare texts and complete tasks that test your ability to find specific information, understand detail, and interpret meaning.

• Writing: You write a healthcare workplace document (most commonly a referral letter, but it can also be a discharge or transfer letter) based on case notes.

• Speaking: You complete role-plays based on typical healthcare scenarios, demonstrating clear, professional communication with a patient or carer.

If you’re applying to register in the UK, both OET and IELTS can be accepted—but the best choice depends on your profession, your strengths, and what the regulator requires.

Choose OET if:

• You’re a healthcare professional and prefer medical/clinical scenarios (patient communication, referrals, discharge letters, handovers)

• You want an exam that tests occupational English rather than general academic topics

• You feel confident using healthcare vocabulary and workplace communication

Choose IELTS if:

• You prefer a general English exam (Academic or General Training) that isn’t healthcare-specific

• You’re already familiar with IELTS, or you need IELTS for another purpose (e.g., university entry or visa requirements in another context)

Important: Requirements (including minimum scores/grades and accepted test types) can change, so always check the official guidance before booking:

• NMC English language requirements

• GMC English language requirements