NMC Updates Validity Period for English Language Exams & CBT

Effective communication skills are essential to providing safe and effective care. Hence, NMC needs to be assured that those applying for registration or readmission to the NMC register have the necessary knowledge of English.

Validity period for English language evidence

NMC understand that some candidates’ English language test scores or recent practice in a majority English-speaking country may expire before they can sit their OSCE.

Hence, They are introducing a temporary measure to allow candidates to provide additional evidence to demonstrate that they have maintained their English language since the expiry of their English language test or their recent practice in a majority English speaking country.

This temporary measure will only apply to you if:

• You had valid English language evidence on 23 March 2020 – this could either be an accepted English language required test score* or evidence of one year’s practice in an English language majority country no more than two years old
• Your valid English language evidence expired between 24 March 2020 and 20 January 2021 (inclusive)
• Since your English language evidence expired, you have been living in the UK or another majority English speaking country; and
• You can demonstrate that since your English language evidence expired you have been working in a healthcare setting in the UK or in registered practice in a majority English speaking country.

NMC accept two language tests as evidence of your ability to communicate effectively in English: the International English Language Test System (IELTS) and the Occupational English Test (OET).

Additional evidence you can provide

If the above applies to you, you may provide additional evidence to show that you have been working and using your English in a clinical setting in the UK or in registered practice in a majority English speaking country.

This evidence must cover the period between the expiry of your English language test or recent practice and the date of your completed application and this period must not be more than six months.

If the above applies to you, you may provide additional evidence to show that you have been working and using your English in a clinical setting in the UK or in registered practice in a majority English speaking country.

This evidence must cover the period between the expiry of your English language test or recent practice and the date of your completed application and this period must not be more than six months.

If you are in a non-majority English speaking country like India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Oman or Qatar

We recognize it may be difficult to provide this additional evidence if you are in a non-majority English speaking country, and therefore recommend you complete a further IELTS or OET.

If you’ve already submitted your health, character and language evidence to us, you can send us your new test results via email and we will attach them to your application.

Change to CBT validity period

To make sure you have time to complete your OSCE, NMC are extending the validity period of CBT results expiring between 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2020 by six months.

You don’t need to contact them to have this change applied to your application. They are automatically updating this for you.

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