Can I club results from different sittings?

Yes. Scores may be achieved over more than one sitting of OET or IELTS ("clubbing"); all required scores must be met within 12 months of first sitting the test, and all sittings within three years of commencing the application; results must come from one test, not a mix of OET and IELTS.

Does the Council accept the IELTS One Skill Retake?

Not mentioned in the policy guidance (19 August 2022) or on the IQN English page; the only multi-sitting rule is clubbing within 12 months of the first sitting.

Do I need a test if I trained in English?

Not if your nursing education was taught and examined in English in Canada, Ireland, Singapore, the United Kingdom or the United States. India, the Philippines, Nigeria, Pakistan and Egypt are not on the list.

Does registration elsewhere count?

Registration in Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States can, under the Council's registration-based pathway. Nurses registered in Australia need not supply English evidence under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997.

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What OET or IELTS score do nurses need for NCNZ registration in New Zealand?

The Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) asks for OET 350 in listening, reading and speaking and 300 in writing, or IELTS 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing, and accepts scores clubbed from more than one sitting of the same test.

Checked 23 Oct 2026 · NCNZ ↗

Minimum score in each part

	OET	IELTS
Listening	350	7.0
Reading	350	7.0
Writing	300	6.5
Speaking	350	7.0

Sittings and test modes

Clubbing	Scores may be achieved over more than one sitting of OET or IELTS ("clubbing"); all required scores must be met within 12 months of first sitting the test, and all sittings within three years of commencing the application; results must come from one test, not a mix of OET and IELTS
Where and how	Tests at an OET or IELTS centre on paper or computer; fully online tests such as OET@home are not accepted, except the speaking component of OET's on-computer venue-based option; PTE is not accepted

Good to know

Can I club results from different sittings?: Yes. Scores may be achieved over more than one sitting of OET or IELTS ("clubbing"); all required scores must be met within 12 months of first sitting the test, and all sittings within three years of commencing the application; results must come from one test, not a mix of OET and IELTS.
Does the Council accept the IELTS One Skill Retake?: Not mentioned in the policy guidance (19 August 2022) or on the IQN English page; the only multi-sitting rule is clubbing within 12 months of the first sitting.
Do I need a test if I trained in English?: Not if your nursing education was taught and examined in English in Canada, Ireland, Singapore, the United Kingdom or the United States. India, the Philippines, Nigeria, Pakistan and Egypt are not on the list.
Does registration elsewhere count?: Registration in Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States can, under the Council's registration-based pathway. Nurses registered in Australia need not supply English evidence under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997.

What to do next

Tell us your scores and where you trained, and we show which of the Nursing Council's steps you have left, with each fee and how long it takes.

Sources

Nursing Council of New Zealand: English Language Competence Policy Guidance (19 August 2022) ↗

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