HCPC changes to English language requirements come into force
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Today, 29 January 2025, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has implemented new English language requirements for international applicants.
In May 2024, the HCPC approved the principle of changing its English language proficiency requirements for new applicants to the register.
From today, applications submitted to join the register will be subject to the following changes:
- international applicants will no longer be able to self-declare English as their first language in order to meet requirements
- a qualifying countries list will allow those who gained their relevant primary qualification in a country on the list will be able to use this to evidence their proficiency
- all other international applicants will have to evidence their language ability via an approved test.
The HCPC has added Occupational English Test (OET) as a recognised English language test provider, in addition to existing approved test providers, International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Eligible Professions for the OET Test
Below is a guide to the specific OET Test to take based on healthcare profession, aligning with HCPC recognition requirements:
Profession | OET Test |
Chiropodists/Podiatrists | Podiatry |
Dietitians | Dietary |
Occupational therapists | Occupational therapy |
Speech and Language Therapists | Speech and Language |
Physiotherapists | Physiotherapy |
Radiographers | Radiography |
If a profession is not on the list above, please consult the HCPC website to find out which English test you can take.
OET Test score requirements
The OET Test consists of four sub-tests, with scores reported on a scale ranging from 0 to 500 in ten-point increments (eg: 350, 360, 370). To meet HCPC’s English language requirements, candidates must achieve the following minimum scores based on their profession.
Speech and Language Therapists must have no individual sub-test score below 400 and an overall minimum score of 1800.
All other professions must have no individual sub-test score below 300 and an overall minimum score 1400.
These benchmarks ensure that applicants possess the communication skills necessary to provide safe and effective care in UK healthcare settings.
Ensuring the integrity of pre-employment documentation is crucial. As outlined in the NHS Employment Check Standards, it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that all evidence and certification provided is scrutinised and appropriately verified.
You can watch back this webinar that featured the accredited language test providers, IELTS and the Occupational English Test (OET), and an examination of the online verification systems that the providers have in place to ensure language test certificates and statements of test results submitted by candidates are genuine.
Any results submitted by candidates should always be checked by the employer against the available online systems to verify the test results, before the overseas candidate travels to the UK.