NMC SIFE: a year in a UK care role can replace IELTS or OET for nurses
The NMC accepts supporting information from employers (SIFE) as English evidence from a nurse who has worked at least 12 months full time in a non-registered role in a UK health or care setting: with a nursing programme taught and examined in English in any country it replaces the test, and after two tests that missed one score by no more than 0.5 in IELTS or half a grade in OET it covers that score.
Checked 28 Oct 2026 · NMC ↗
- Who it affects
- Nurses in the UK
What SIFE asks for
| Who can use it | Applicants who completed a pre-registration programme taught and examined in English in a country where English is not the majority spoken language, or who attempted two English language tests and narrowly missed the required score in any one language domain by no more than 0.5 in IELTS or half a grade in OET |
|---|---|
| Your work in the UK | At least 12 months full time (or full-time equivalent) in a non-registered role in a UK health or care setting at the point the NMC application is submitted, with the same employer for at least 12 months and the same line manager for at least 6 months, no more than two line managers over the 12 months, and still working for that employer when the completed application is submitted |
| Who signs it | The line manager, an NMC registrant at NHS Band 6 (or non-NHS equivalent) or above who has observed the applicant's interactions in English, counter-signed by a different senior member of staff at the same employer, an NMC registrant at Band 8a or above; providing SIFE is at the employer's discretion |
What it means for you
Nurses who have worked a year in a non-registered UK health or care role can use a statement from their employer as English evidence, with an English-taught nursing programme from any country, or after narrowly missing one test score.
A route the plan was missing
The NMC accepts supporting information from employers (SIFE) as English evidence. If you have worked at least 12 months full time in a non-registered role in a UK health or care setting, such as a care assistant, with the same employer and the same line manager for the last six months, your manager can vouch for your English.
Two ways it counts
With a nursing programme taught and examined in English, from any country, SIFE completes your English evidence and no test is needed. Or, after two attempts at IELTS or OET that missed one score by no more than 0.5 (IELTS) or half a grade (OET), SIFE covers that one score.
What your employer does
Your line manager (an NMC registrant at Band 6 or above) completes the form and a senior colleague at Band 8a or above countersigns it. Your employer decides whether to provide it, and you must still work there when you apply. The plan asks about this only if you live in the UK.
What to do next
Tell us where you trained, your English and the countries you want, and we show which steps you have left in each, with every fee and how long it takes.
Sources
outcomeOS describes each regulator's published rules; it does not advise on your individual case. · What changed · Privacy · Terms