HCPC minimum scores
The HCPC accepts certificates from three providers: IELTS, TOEFL iBT and OET (HCPC, page updated 13 June 2025). For IELTS it accepts Academic and General, in UKVI and non-UKVI versions. All tests must be taken at an official test centre, not at home.
| Test | All professions except SLTs | Speech and language therapists |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic or General) | 7.0, no element below 6.5 | 8.0, no element below 7.5 |
| TOEFL iBT (taken before 21 Jan 2026) | 100/120 | 118/120 |
| TOEFL iBT (taken from 21 Jan 2026) | Overall 5; R 4.5, L 5, W 4.5, S 5 | Overall 6; R 5.5, L 5.5, W 6, S 6 |
| OET (profession-specific) | 1400, no element below 300 | 1800, no element below 400 |
OET: only for listed professions
The HCPC accepts profession-specific OET for chiropodists and podiatrists (Podiatry), dietitians (Dietary), occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and radiographers. OET is not listed for the other HCPC professions, such as paramedics, so they would use IELTS or TOEFL.
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free scored IELTS mock →One Skill Retake, TOEFL limits and exemptions
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted if the retake is within 6 months of the original test and the retake results appear on the test report with the original results. The retake is valid for the same two-year period as the original.
For TOEFL, the HCPC does not accept tests taken in the UK, or combined scores, superscores or MyBest scores. Combining IELTS sittings is not stated by the HCPC. PTE is not one of the three accepted providers.
If the qualification that first let you practise was gained in a country where English is the predominant language (on the HCPC's list), you do not need a test. Regulators change these rules, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current scores on the HCPC page before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score does the HCPC require?+
7.0 with no element below 6.5, except for speech and language therapists, who need 8.0 with no element below 7.5.
Is PTE accepted by the HCPC?+
No. The HCPC accepts certificates from IELTS, TOEFL iBT and OET only.
Does the HCPC accept IELTS General Training?+
Yes. It accepts IELTS Academic and General, in UKVI and non-UKVI versions.
How long is the result valid?+
The certificate must be no more than two years old when the HCPC receives your application.
Does the HCPC accept IELTS One Skill Retake?+
Yes, if taken within 6 months of the original test and shown on the test report with the original results.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for nurses in the UK
- IELTS for the UK
- IELTS One Skill Retake explained
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 30 September 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy