The OET is an international English test for healthcare professionals. It is recognised by government healthcare bodies around the world to assess the language communication skills of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, dentists and allied health professionals.
In the UK, both the GMC and NMC recognise OET. The GMC requires overseas doctors to score a Grade B in each of the four papers – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. While the NMC requires nurses to score Grade B in Listening, Reading and Speaking and a Grade C+ or above in writing – to register with them to practice.
OET tests a wide range of healthcare English, including the ability to communicate effectively in medical scenarios, write a referral letter, understand a patient consultation, or follow a text adapted from a medical journal.
OET is available at more than 120 locations in 40 countries, with 14 test dates per year.
There are three main ways to take the OET test:
On paper at a test centre, on computer at a test centre or at home. If you wish to know more, click here.
SLC offers a wide range of options for healthcare professionals.
Preparing for an important test like OET is very important, you should aim to understand the language, techniques and strategies to succeed.
Choose the perfect preparation course for you:
Specialist Language Courses (SLC) are experts in Medical English, IELTS and OET preparation. We work with thousands of candidates every year and specialise in working with healthcare professionals. Clients include many NHS Trusts and private healthcare groups in the UK.
Call or email SLC to talk about your Medical English, OET, IELTS and PTE options.
January 2026 OET test dates
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Monday, 15 December 2025
Friday, 23 January 2026
Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Veterinary Science
24 Jan 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 31 December 2025
Friday, 06 February 2026
Nursing, Medicine
February 2026 OET test dates
07 Feb 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Friday, 20 February 2026
Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Veterinary Science
21 Feb 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Friday, 06 March 2026
Nursing, Medicine
March 2026 OET test dates
07 Mar 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Friday, 20 March 2026
Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Veterinary Science
28 Mar 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 04 March 2026
Friday, 10 April 2026
Medicine, Nursing
April 2026 OET test dates
11 Apr 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 18 March 2026
Friday, 24 April 2026
Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Veterinary Science
25 Apr 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 01 April 2026
Friday, 08 May 2026
Nursing, Medicine
May 2026 OET test dates
09 May 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 15 April 2026
Friday, 22 May 2026
Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Veterinary Science
23 May 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 29 April 2026
Tuesday, 09 June 2026
Medicine, Nursing
June 2026 OET test dates
13 Jun 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Friday, 26 June 2026
Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Veterinary Science
27 Jun 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Friday, 10 July 2026
Nursing, Medicine
July 2026 OET test dates
11 Jul 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Friday, 24 July 2026
Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Veterinary Science
25 Jul 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 01 July 2026
Friday, 07 August 2026
Nursing, Medicine
August 2026 OET test dates
08 Aug 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 15 July 2026
Friday, 21 August 2026
Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Veterinary Science
22 Aug 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 29 July 2026
Friday, 04 September 2026
Nursing, Medicine
September 2026 OET test dates
05 Sep 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Friday, 18 September 2026
Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Veterinary Science
19 Sep 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Friday, 02 October 2026
Nursing, Medicine
October 2026 OET test dates
03 Oct 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 09 September 2026
Friday, 16 October 2026
Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Veterinary Science
17 Oct 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Friday, 30 October 2026
Nursing, Medicine
November 2026 OET test dates
07 Nov 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Friday, 20 November 2026
Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Veterinary Science
21 Nov 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Friday, 04 December 2026
Nursing, Medicine
December 2026 OET test dates
05 Dec 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Friday, 18 December 2026
Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Veterinary Science
19 Dec 2026
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 – Wednesday, 25 November 2026
Friday, 08 January 2027
Nursing, Medicine
If you are booking your OET test on a test venue, it closes 10 days before the test date (11:59PM UTC time). If you are booking through OET@Home, then it closes 7 days before the test date (11:59PM UTC time).
The OET exam is limited by the availability but also OET Test Regulations prohibits you from having more than one booking per test administration. In the same test administration it is not possible to have have multiple bookings across delivery modes.
It is valid for 2 years, however there are some organisations that may accept OET results after 2 years, which usually are subject to certain conditions.
You can improve your score by re-taking the test as many times as you want.You need to check the test dates which happens twice a month.
Yes. OET allows you to resit and take the test on one section at a time. This can help you improve your score for a specific sub-test and to pass the OET exam if one section didn’t got the required score. But make sure you check the requirements of the healthcare board or authority where you are applying, as they only accept certificates which show you took all 4 papers at the same time.
We are excited to announce our Black Friday Mega Sale, designed to help healthcare professionals prepare for their exams with high-quality, flexible online learning at
We’re delighted to announce a new partnership between Specialist Language Courses (SLC) and the University of Sharjah’s Clinical & Surgical Training Center (CSTC) — one
Back to Menu ↩ Specialist Language Courses (SLC) is proud to announce a new partnership with the University of Sharjah’s Clinical & Surgical Training Center
Get updates and get the latest materials on Medical English, OET and IELTS
