Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
CORU minimum scores for occupational therapists
From CORU's language requirements page.
| Test | Occupational Therapists Registration Board minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 overall, no element below 6.5 |
| OET (Occupational Therapy) | Grade B (350) in three components and at least C+ (300) in one |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | Grade C or above |
Validity, repeat tests and verification
All test certificates must be dated within two years of the date you submit your registration application. OET online and at-home versions are accepted, but IELTS results must come from a physical test.
CORU accepts results from a maximum of two sittings. The repeat must be with the same provider and within six months of the first test, and the overall minimum must be met in both sittings. With two IELTS sittings no component can fall below 6.5; with two OET sittings no subtest can fall below grade C.
CORU does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake or individual OET subtests, and PTE and TOEFL are not on its list. You must give your IELTS Test Report Form number (or OET candidate number, or Cambridge candidate ID and secret number) so CORU can verify the result online.
Registering as an occupational therapist in Ireland?
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When you do not need a test
CORU does not ask for a test if you completed a CORU-approved qualification, a Commonly Aligned qualification taught and assessed in English, or a professional qualification from an EU country where English is a co-official language; if your university confirms in a letter that your qualification and practice placements were through English or Irish and you qualified within the previous two years; or if you have lived in and practised your profession through English for at least two of the last five years in a country where English is the sole official language. EU, EEA and Swiss applicants can also show CEFR C1 evidence.
Regulators change these rules, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current scores on the CORU page before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score do occupational therapists need in Ireland?+
IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with no element below 6.5.
Does CORU accept OET for occupational therapists?+
Yes. The occupational therapy OET with grade B in three components and at least C+ in one.
Does CORU accept IELTS One Skill Retake?+
No. CORU does not accept One Skill Retakes or individual OET subtests.
Can I take IELTS online for CORU?+
No. CORU needs IELTS results from a physical test. Only OET can be taken online or at home.
Does CORU accept PTE or TOEFL?+
No. CORU lists IELTS Academic, OET (for some professions) and Cambridge C1 Advanced.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for occupational therapists in the UK
- IELTS for physiotherapists in Ireland
- IELTS for dietitians in Ireland
- IELTS for Ireland
- Free IELTS Academic mock test
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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