Every GCC licensing authority requires proof of English proficiency. Know the exact scores you need — and how to achieve them.
Minimum scores required by each GCC licensing authority. Click your country for full details.
| Authority | Country | IELTS Academic | OET | Other Accepted | Exemptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHA (Dubai Health Authority) | 🇦🇪 Dubai | Overall 6.5 + each band ≥6.0 | Grade B all sections | TOEFL iBT 85+ | UK/US/AUS/CAN/NZ/IRE |
| DOH (Dept. of Health Abu Dhabi) | 🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi | Overall 7.0 + each band ≥6.5 | Grade B all sections | TOEFL iBT 95+ | Native English countries |
| MOH UAE (Federal) | 🇦🇪 UAE (Northern Emirates) | Overall 6.5 + each band ≥6.0 | Grade B all sections | TOEFL iBT 80+ | UK/US/AUS/CAN/NZ/IRE |
| SCFHS (Saudi Commission) | 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Overall 6.0 + each band ≥5.5 | Grade B all sections | STEP test (Arabic speakers) | UK/US/AUS/CAN/NZ |
| QCHP (Qatar Council) | 🇶🇦 Qatar | Overall 6.5 + each band ≥6.0 | Grade B all sections | TOEFL iBT 85+ | Native English countries |
| MOH Kuwait | 🇰🇼 Kuwait | Overall 6.0 + each band ≥5.5 | Grade B or C accepted | — | Native English countries |
| NHRA (Bahrain) | 🇧🇭 Bahrain | Overall 6.0 + each band ≥5.5 | Grade B all sections | — | Native English countries |
| MOH Oman / OMSB | 🇴🇲 Oman | Overall 6.0 + each band ≥5.5 | Grade B all sections | — | Native English countries |
* Requirements can change. Always verify on the official authority website before booking your exam.
Both are accepted by all major GCC licensing authorities. Here's how to choose the right test for you.
Best for:
Best for:
Many nurses who struggle with IELTS Academic (particularly the writing task) find OET easier — because all tasks use nursing scenarios. The OET writing sub-test requires writing a patient referral letter, which most experienced nurses do regularly. The speaking section simulates a patient consultation.
The overall band score alone is not enough — individual section minimums apply.
You can score 7.0 overall but fail DHA requirements if one section is below 6.0. For example: L:7, R:7, W:5.5, S:7 = Overall 6.5 but FAIL because Writing is below 6.0. You must clear the minimum for EVERY section.
If you're a native English speaker or trained in an English-medium institution, you may not need IELTS or OET at all.
Nurses who are nationals of these countries are automatically exempt:
Some authorities accept proof of English-medium nursing education as an exemption:
From nurses who passed on their first attempt.
All GCC authorities require IELTS Academic (for university/professional purposes). IELTS General Training is for immigration — it is NOT accepted for nursing licensing.
Most Filipino/Indian nurses score well in Reading and Listening but struggle with Academic Writing (Task 1 and 2). Identify your weak section and spend 60% of prep time there.
Cambridge IELTS books (1–17) are the closest to the real test. Do minimum 4 full practice tests under timed conditions before your exam date.
The OET Writing sub-test is a referral letter — you're given patient notes and write a letter to another practitioner. Practice this format every day for 3 weeks before the test.
Academic Task 1 (describing a chart/graph) has predictable language patterns. Learn phrases for increase/decrease/trends — "there was a sharp rise in...," "figures peaked at..."
Memorized answers are penalized in IELTS Speaking. Practice speaking naturally for 2+ minutes on any topic. Record yourself and listen back critically.
Before each listening section begins, read the questions and predict what type of answer is needed (name, number, date, yes/no). You have 30 seconds — use them.
If you score 6.0 but need 6.5 overall — don't submit it. Retake the test. GCC authorities see all submitted certificates and a pattern of low scores can affect your application.
1 week diagnostic test → 5 weeks focused section work → 2 weeks full practice tests. Don't book the real test until you consistently score your target on practice tests.
E2Language's OET preparation materials are specifically designed for healthcare workers. Many GCC-bound nurses credit E2 for their first-time pass.
Computer-delivered IELTS is available in most GCC-source countries — results in 3–5 days vs 13 days for paper. Same scoring, faster turnaround. Worth choosing if available.
Your IELTS certificate is valid for 2 years from test date. Don't take the exam too early — if your licensing application takes 18+ months, your certificate may expire before approval.
Quality free resources for IELTS and OET preparation.
There is no limit on the number of times you can take either IELTS or OET. You can retake as often as you wish (and can afford). For IELTS, you can rebook immediately after each test. For OET, tests are available monthly in most test centers.
Important: When submitting certificates to GCC licensing authorities, you typically submit the most recent test result. However, some authorities may see all submitted results — focus on genuinely improving before retaking rather than hoping to submit a better score by chance.
No. Both IELTS and OET certificates are valid for 2 years from the test date. All GCC licensing authorities require a valid (not expired) test certificate at the time of license application. If your certificate expires during a long application process, you may need to retest.
Tip: If your GCC licensing application is expected to take 12+ months, take your English test no more than 6 months before you plan to submit — leaving yourself a comfortable buffer before the 2-year expiry.
TOEFL iBT is accepted by some GCC authorities (DHA, DOH, QCHP accept it with scores of 80–95+) but is not universally accepted. SCFHS Saudi Arabia, MOH Kuwait, NHRA Bahrain and OMSB Oman typically only accept IELTS or OET.
If you already have a strong TOEFL score, check directly with your specific licensing authority whether it will be accepted. IELTS Academic is the safest choice if you haven't yet taken a test — it's accepted everywhere.
In most cases, yes. The Philippines is not on the automatic exemption list for most GCC authorities (the exemption is reserved for countries where English is the official national language — UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland).
However, SCFHS Saudi Arabia and some other authorities may accept proof of English-medium nursing education from recognized Philippine institutions — but this is not guaranteed and requires case-by-case review. The safest and most reliable path is to take IELTS or OET.
Good news: Filipino nurses generally score well on IELTS (particularly Listening and Reading) due to English-medium education. The main challenge is IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 — target this specifically in preparation.
No. GCC licensing authorities require IELTS Academic for healthcare professional registration. IELTS General Training is used for immigration and work visas — not professional licensing. These are different tests with different score interpretations.
If you accidentally booked IELTS General Training — cancel if possible and rebook as IELTS Academic. Submitting General Training results to a licensing authority will result in rejection.
Yes — test centers for both IELTS and OET exist in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. However, this creates a catch-22: you cannot get your GCC nursing license without the test, but you may not be able to work without the license.
Most hospitals will hire you on a provisional basis while you complete licensing requirements (including English tests) in your first 3–6 months in the GCC. Clarify this with your prospective employer before signing a contract — understand what happens to your employment if you fail.
Find hospitals that support your licensing journey — including English test preparation allowances in some contracts.
Browse Nursing Jobs Full Licensing Guide