Health professionals seeking to work or study in Canada have to prove their English proficiency through a test known as the Occupational English Test (OET). This test is accepted in several other countries, too, but the demand is high in Canada. Thus, if you are among those applicants, then read this blog to learn about the OET score for Canada. It will also include several other details, such as top institutes and tips to score well. So, read till the end and get all the necessary information about the OET score required for Canada to support your preparation.
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Yes, the Occupational English Test (OET) is accepted in Canada for healthcare professionals seeking a license and registration. It is recognized by various regulatory bodies, including the College of Physicians and Surgeons in several provinces, as well as by numerous nursing and pharmacy boards.
Some of the specific acceptance of the OET exam are:
1. Medical Professionals:
The Canada OET score is accepted by the College of Physicians and Surgeons in British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan. Canadian Resident Matching System (CaRMS) also accepts the OET scores for residency applications to English-speaking universities. Additionally, the Alberta International Medical Graduate (AIMG) program accepts OET results for postgraduate residency.
2. Nursing Professionals:
The OET score for Canada nurses is accepted by the regulatory bodies as proof of language proficiency. The Canadian Nurse Regulators Collaborative (CNRC) has also recommended OET for nursing registration.
3. Pharmacy Professionals:
Some of the important pharmacy regulators in Canada accept OET results. Several medical technician programs, including Bow Valley College, NorQuest College, and Red Deer Polytechnic, also accept the OET score for Canada for admission.
It is clear that the OET exam for nurses, doctors, or any medical professional is accepted in Canada. So, you can start preparing for the same and make a professional career abroad.
The Canada OET score requirement is different for each profession. Apart from that, the regulatory bodies for each profession are different. So, read below and check the minimum score requirement for each.
This is all about the minimum OET score required for Canada. Thus, go through the OET syllabus and start preparing so that you can meet the requirements for the same.
As discussed above, the score requirement for this exam varies based on different professions. Thus, go through the table below to know the OET scores for Canada nurses, doctors, and other health professionals.
Healthcare Profession | Regulatory Body | Minimum OET Score |
---|---|---|
Nursing | National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) | B in all 4 sub-tests (350 each) |
Medicine (Doctors) | Medical Council of Canada (MCC) | B in all 4 sub-tests |
Pharmacy | Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) | B in all 4 sub-tests |
Physiotherapy | Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) | B in all 4 sub-tests |
Occupational Therapy | Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations (ACOTRO) | B in all sub-tests |
Dentistry | National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) | IELTS preferred, OET acceptance limited |
Medical Laboratory | Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) | B in all sub-tests |
These are the minimum OET scores for doctors in Canada and for other healthcare professionals. Thus, now that you know the score requirement for the OET exam for nurses, doctors, and others, you can start preparing for the same and start your career in Canada.
There are several institutes and provinces that accept the OET score for Canada. So, go through the table below to know about them.
Institute and Provinces |
Acceptance |
Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS): Entire Canada |
OET Test on Paper, OET Test on Computer, OET@Home Score required: Listening: B Reading: B Speaking: B Writing: B |
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador: Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada |
OET Test on Paper, OET Test on Computer, OET@Home Score required: Listening: B Reading: B Speaking: B Writing: B |
Alberta Health Care Aide Directory: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
OET Test on Computer, OET Test on Paper Score required: Listening: C Reading: C Speaking: C Writing: C |
Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Agency: Ontario, Canada |
OET Test on Paper, OET Test on Computer, OET@Home Score required: Listening: C Reading: C Speaking: C Writing: C |
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba: Manitoba, Canada |
OET Test on Paper, OET Test on Computer, OET@Home Score required: Listening: B Reading: C+ Speaking: B Writing: C+ |
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Prince Edward Island: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada |
OET Test on Computer, OET Test on Paper, OET@Home Score required: Listening: B Reading: C+ Speaking: B Writing: C+ |
College of Nurses of Ontario: Ontario, Canada |
OET Test on Paper, OET Test on Computer, OET@Home Score required: Listening: B Reading: C+ Speaking: B Writing: C+ |
College of Pharmacists of BC: British Columbia, Canada |
OET Test on Paper, OET Test on Computer, OET@Home Score required: Listening: B Reading: B Speaking: B Writing: C+ |
College of Pharmacists of Manitoba: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
OET Test on Computer, OET Test on Paper, OET@Home Score required: Listening: B Reading: B Speaking: B Writing: C+ |
College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick: New Brunswick, Canada |
OET Test on Paper, OET Test on Computer, OET@Home Score required: Listening: B Reading: B Speaking: B Writing: B |
These are some of the top institutes with their provinces mentioned, where the OET score required for Canada is also mentioned. So, you can also check the professions that are prevalent at these institutes.
Being a healthcare professional seeking to work or study in Canada, sending the OET score for Canada to demonstrate your English proficiency, is important as per the health regulatory bodies in Canada. So, here's a guide on how to do that:
Important Note: Always check the specific requirements of the Canadian authority you are dealing with, whether it's for professional registration, immigration, or education, as policies can vary.
Some of the tips to achieve the Canada OET score 2025 are:
This was all about the OET score for Canada. Here, you get to know about the minimum score requirement based on different healthcare professions and regulatory bodies. So, based on your goals, you can start preparing to achieve that particular score and can also take the help of the above-mentioned tips for the same. However, if you still face any issue related to the information of this exam, such as OET accepted countries or any other, then reach out to our experts today and clear all your doubts under their guidance.
1. What Is the Minimum OET Score for Canada?
For most healthcare professions in Canada, the minimum required OET score is a Grade B (350 or above) in all four sub-tests: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.
2. What Does a 300 OET Score Mean?
A 300 OET score corresponds to a Grade C+, which indicates a moderate level of English proficiency with some areas needing improvement. While it signifies the ability to maintain interaction in a healthcare setting, it also suggests that the candidate might make occasional errors or experience communication lapses.
3. What Is a Perfect OET Score?
A perfect score on the OET (Occupational English Test) is 500 for each of the four sub-tests (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking).
4. Can I Combine Two OET Results?
Yes, you can combine OET (Occupational English Test) results from two test sittings to meet the required scores for certain organizations. This process can be called the OET clubbing score for Canada.
5. What if You Fail OET?
If you fail the Occupational English Test (OET), you can retake the test as many times as needed, but you will need to retake all four sub-tests (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) in a single sitting to achieve the required score.
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