What is the OET exam, and do I need it as a healthcare professional?
The Occupational English Test (OET) checks the English of healthcare professionals applying for work or study in English-speaking countries. It is run by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment and designed for 12 healthcare professions. Requirements vary by country and regulator, so check the official OET website.
The Occupational English Test, or OET, is built to check the English competency of healthcare professionals. It is conducted by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment, also called CBLA. Whether you need it depends on your destination and regulator, so check official requirements.
Who Needs OET
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | Healthcare professionals applying to work or study in healthcare in English-speaking settings |
| Destinations mentioned | UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Ukraine, Dubai, Singapore and Namibia |
| Professions covered | 12, including Occupational Therapy, Dentistry, Nursing, Radiography, Veterinary Science, Medicine, Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Podiatry, Pharmacy and Optometry |
How Answers Are Marked
- Listening Part A and Reading Part A booklets are assigned randomly to OET Assessors.
- Listening and Reading Parts B and C are computer scanned and scored automatically.
- Writing and Speaking are rated by multiple trained OET Assessors, assigned randomly.
- If you are unhappy with a result, you can usually appeal for a reevaluation or remarking.
My Advice
Check with your regulator or employer whether OET is accepted for your profession and country before registering. Details on score reporting and appeals are on the official OET website, so read them before you book.
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