What IELTS score do you need as a Chinese medicine practitioner in New Zealand?

You do not need a test if English is your first language; if you hold a higher-level qualification from a New Zealand provider; if you hold a higher-level qualification from an overseas institution where English was the sole language of instruction; if you completed at least 12 months full-time equivalent of a New Zealand postgraduate qualification in the five years before applying; or if you have worked in New Zealand as a Chinese medicine practitioner and ACC treatment provider for at least three years in the last five, including care for English-speaking patients.

If you cannot meet any pathway or sit a test, you can ask for an exemption. You need a genuine reason and references from three senior members of the profession who are registered with the Council. Conditions such as supervision or an interpreter may apply.

Results may come from more than one sitting, but all must be obtained within the three years before you apply and still be valid when registration is approved. You send a certified copy with your application. Meeting the English standard does not guarantee registration, and the Council can ask any applicant or registrant for further proof at any time.

The policy said it would be reviewed in May 2025, so check for a newer version. Regulators change these rules, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current scores on the Chinese Medicine Council page before you book a test.