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IELTS for Midwives: Band Score Requirements for Midwifery Registration Worldwide

Most midwifery regulators require IELTS Academic around Band 7.0 with component minimums. The UK NMC and Australia's current standard require 7.0 in Listening, Reading, and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing.

Oleksii Vasylenko
Oleksii VasylenkoIELTS 8.0
Founder & IELTS Preparation Specialist

Last verified: August 21, 2026. Requirements may change — always confirm directly with your target midwifery regulatory body.

IELTS Band Score Requirements by Country

United Kingdom

NMC (Official page)

7.0 L/R/S, 6.5 Writing

Band 7.0 in Listening, Reading, and Speaking; minimum 6.5 in Writing. OET accepted (Grade B). Same requirements as nursing registration.

Not re-checked recently. Confirm on the official page before you book.

Rules and exceptions

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requires IELTS Academic Band 7.0 in Listening, Reading, and Speaking, with a minimum of 6.5 in Writing for midwife registration — identical to the nursing requirement.

You may combine results from two IELTS sittings taken within six months, but each sitting must score at least Band 6.5 in every component. OET Grade B in all four skills is also accepted.

International midwives must also pass a Computer-Based Test (CBT) and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) or complete an NMC-approved adaptation programme.

Australia

AHPRA (Midwifery Board) (Official page)

7.0 L/R/S, 6.5 Writing

Band 7.0 in Listening, Reading, and Speaking; minimum 6.5 in Writing (April 2025 update). Single sitting. OET (Grade B), PTE Academic (65 each) also accepted. Same standard as nursing.

Not re-checked recently. Confirm on the official page before you book.

Rules and exceptions

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's current standard requires IELTS Academic 7.0 overall, with 7.0 in Listening, Reading, and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing. Results may qualify from one sitting or under the published two-sitting rules.

AHPRA publishes accepted alternatives and current component scores. Check the official accepted-tests table before booking because transition arrangements and test-score rules can change.

Midwifery-specific supervised practice placements may be required depending on your qualifications and assessment outcome.

Canada

CMRC / Provincial (Official page)

IELTS 7.0

Provincial midwifery regulators set English requirements. Most require IELTS Academic 7.0. The Canadian Midwifery Regulators Council coordinates standards.

Not re-checked recently. Confirm on the official page before you book.

Rules and exceptions

Midwifery is regulated provincially in Canada. The Canadian Midwifery Regulators Council (CMRC) coordinates standards, but each province sets its own English proficiency requirements — most require IELTS Academic Band 7.0.

Ontario's College of Midwives and British Columbia's College of Health Professionals are among the largest regulators. International midwives typically need to complete a bridging programme and pass clinical assessments.

New Zealand

MCNZ (Midwifery Council) (Official page)

7.0 overall, 7.0 each

Band 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each component from a single sitting. OET (Grade B) accepted.

Not re-checked recently. Confirm on the official page before you book.

Rules and exceptions

The Midwifery Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) requires IELTS Academic Band 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each component from a single test sitting within two years.

OET (Grade B in all four skills) is also accepted. MCNZ does not allow combining scores from multiple test dates.

Ireland

NMBI (Official page)

7.0 overall, 6.5 min each

Band 7.0 overall, no band below 6.5. OET Grade B accepted. Same body regulates both nursing and midwifery.

Not re-checked recently. Confirm on the official page before you book.

Rules and exceptions

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) requires IELTS Academic Band 7.0 overall with no individual band below 6.5 for midwife registration. OET Grade B is also accepted.

Test results must be less than two years old. The same body (NMBI) regulates both nursing and midwifery in Ireland.

UAE

DHA / DoH (Official page)

6.5–7.0 overall

Band 6.5–7.0 overall. Government hospitals typically require 7.0. OET and TOEFL iBT also accepted.

Not re-checked recently. Confirm on the official page before you book.

Rules and exceptions

Dubai Health Authority (DHA) requires IELTS Academic Band 6.5–7.0 overall for midwife licensing. Government maternity hospitals typically require Band 7.0.

Private facilities may accept Band 6.5. OET and TOEFL iBT are also accepted for DHA and DoH registration.

Why Midwives Struggle With IELTS (And How to Fix It)

Midwifery Language ≠ IELTS Language

You can explain 'cervical effacement' confidently — but IELTS tests 'notwithstanding', 'facilitate', and 'albeit'. Your clinical vocabulary won't earn marks in Reading or Writing. Focus on the Academic Word List and general IELTS topic clusters.

Care Plans ≠ IELTS Essays

Midwifery documentation emphasises structured brevity — birth plans, progress notes, handover sheets. IELTS Writing Task 2 demands extended argumentation with developed paragraphs, evidence, and cohesive conclusions in 250+ words. Practice expanding structured notes into flowing prose.

On-Call and Shift Work Disrupt Study Routines

Unpredictable call-outs and rotating shifts make scheduled study sessions nearly impossible. Use 15–20 minute micro-sessions: listen to IELTS practice during commutes, record Speaking answers during breaks, and write one Task 2 paragraph whenever you have downtime.

Frequently Asked Questions (IELTS for Midwives)

What IELTS score do midwives need for NMC registration?

The NMC requires IELTS Academic Band 7.0 in Listening, Reading, and Speaking, with a minimum of 6.5 in Writing — identical to the nursing requirement. OET Grade B in all four skills is also accepted.

Are midwifery IELTS requirements the same as nursing?

In most countries, yes. The UK (NMC), Australia (AHPRA), and Ireland (NMBI) regulate both professions under the same body with identical English language requirements.

Is OET accepted for midwifery registration?

Yes — OET is accepted by midwifery regulators in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. The healthcare-specific format includes maternity and clinical scenarios.

Can I use IELTS General Training for midwifery registration?

No. IELTS General Training is not accepted for midwifery licensure. Only IELTS Academic meets midwifery board requirements. General Training is for immigration and visa purposes only.

How long are IELTS scores valid for midwifery registration?

Two years from the test date — standard across all major midwifery regulators. Plan your test around your OSCE, adaptation programme, or supervised practice placement timeline.

Sources

  1. NMC English Language Requirements
  2. AHPRA Midwifery Board Registration
  3. MCNZ Registration Requirements
  4. NMBI Midwifery Registration

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