English Proficiency Requirements for Overseas Doctors to be Registered by the GMC

If you’re looking for information about becoming a doctor in the UK, you’ve come to the right place.

This article describes what you need to know about English Proficiency requirements of the GMC.

English language proficiency

Overseas doctors applying for registration must satisfy the GMC that they have the necessary knowledge of English. This may be demonstrated though the International Language Test System [10] (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test [11] (OET)

IELTS

For the IELTS, candidates will be required to prove that they meet the GMC’s requirements in the academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test [12] which has four areas:

  • Speaking
  • Listening
  • Reading
  • Writing

Prospective registrants for the GMC’s register must score 7.5 or more overall if using the IELTS.

Further details about the test can be found on the IELTS website [10]

OET

The OET is an international English language test designed specifically for the healthcare sector. It assesses the language communication skills of healthcare professionals who wish to register and practise in an English-speaking environment. It is specifically designed for healthcare professions, and in the UK is an option for doctors, nurses and midwives.

For the OET, candidates will need to achieve a Level B in each skill (listening, reading, writing and speaking) to meet the GMC’s requirements. The test is designed for healthcare professionals with an emphasis on real situations medical staff might encounter.

OET exam is considered as an easier option by healthcare professionals because of the health-themed content of the questions compared to the IELTS exam.

Further details about the test can be found on the OET website.[11]

Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB)

The GMC uses the PLAB test [15] to ensure that international doctors have the basic medical competence and communication skills to practise in the UK. Doctors wishing to take the PLAB test must have already successfully completed the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Occupational English Test (OET).

The first part of the PLAB test can be taken at a number of test centres overseas, but the second part must be taken in the UK. Further details about the PLAB test, including dates, test centres and costs, can be obtained from the GMC by visiting their website [15].

Source URL: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/information-overseas-doctors

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