The test has been formally recognised by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates|Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research, the Florida Board of Nursing and the Oregon State Board of Nursing.

“OET test tasks replicate real-life communication scenarios that they are likely to encounter”

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.

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.

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 four 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 worldwide 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,” she said.

“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.”

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.

OET is available at more than 150 venues in 44 countries and work is progressing on opening more test venues and delivering a computer-based test that candidates can take securely at home via remote proctoring.