OET accepted in the US for both doctors and nurses

9 July 2020Industry News, Media Release, OET News

Doctors and nurses applying for positions in the United States can now validate
their English language proficiency with OET, the world’s only international English
language test specifically for healthcare professionals. The test has been formally
recognised by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates|Foundation
for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (ECFMG®|FAIMER®),
the Florida Board of Nursing and the Oregon State Board of Nursing.

ECFMG Certification evaluates whether international medical graduates (IMGs) are

ready to enter residency or fellowship programs in the US that are accredited by
the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and to obtain a license
to practise from a Medical Licensing Authority. ECFMG has identified pathways for
meeting the clinical skills requirements for ECFMG Certification for IMGs seeking
to enter accredited U.S. residencies or fellowships in 2021 as a result of the
suspension of the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) component of the United States
Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®) due to Covid-19. These pathways include
assessment of English proficiency by OET.

OET’s approval by Nursing regulators in the states of Florida and Oregon will be
written into the respective states’ rules by the end of 2020; we will advise those
interested in working in these states as soon as their OET results will be
accepted.

The grades required of IMGs for ECFMG Certification are a minimum score of 350
(Grade B) on each of the four measured components of the OET (Medicine): Listening,
Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Nurses applying to Oregon must achieve a minimum of
4 Grade Bs (minimum score of 350) and those nurses applying for licensure in
Florida must achieve a minimum of 4 Grade C+s (minimum score of 300).

OET CEO Sujata Stead said she was delighted about the test’s acceptance in the US.

“IMGs and nurses world-wide who would like to enter the US health care system can
now do so using an English proficiency test that is designed specifically for them.
OET test tasks replicate real-life communication scenarios that they are likely to
encounter in the healthcare workplace and are therefore far more relevant to their
careers,” she said.

“Moreover,” she added, “with OET now recognised in the US as well as nine other
countries, including the UK and Australia, it truly is the healthcare
professional’s passport to an international career.”

IMGs can pre-register now to take the OET (Medicine) as early as August 2020. ECFMG
will accept OET (Medicine) scores that meet the minimum passing requirements for
tests taken on or after 1 July 2018.

Download the Media Release

Eligible IMGs who already have an 8-digit ECFMG/USMLE ID number should use the link
below to pre-register.

PRE-REGISTER WITH ECFMG/USMLE ID NO

Nurses and other doctors should book OET via the link below.

BOOK OET
We’re working closely with boards around the country to expand recognition to other
states. We will let you know as soon as we have firm answers from them.
However, Florida is a member of the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). This
means that once you hold a license to practise in Florida, you may apply for a
multi-state license, which will allow you to practice across state lines in another
eNLC state. View all eNLC States.

What grades do I need to work in the US?

Does the US recognition apply for other healthcare professions?
When will results be accepted?
Will my OET results from before these dates be accepted?
What ID can I use to book my test?
Why do applicants with an ECFMG/ USMLE ID number need to book via a different
process?
I am an applicant with an ECFMG/ USMLE ID. I can see there is a test venue near me
so can I book directly, rather than filling in the pre-registration form and
waiting to hear back from you?
In the ECFMG form, why do you ask in which country I would like to take the test if
you don't have a test venue in my country?
Will OET test materials reflect the healthcare workplace in the US?
I want to work/train in the US so why do I have to take a test that includes non-US
accents and British spelling?
What accents will I hear in OET?
Will I lose marks for using US spelling?
My English is excellent so do I still need to prepare for the test?
I can't find a test venue near me
What happens if a new test venue opens near me, before my test date?
How do I change my test booking to another date or venue?
What is the latest I can take OET Medicine in order to be considered eligible for
the Match?
How can I find out more?