What IELTS score do occupational therapists need for New Zealand?

Test results must be no older than 24 months when you submit them. An overall IELTS band is not stated by the Board; the requirement is 7.0 in each band. Whether IELTS One Skill Retake counts is not stated either.

The policy applies only if English is not your first language. Applicants whose first language is Te Reo Māori or NZ Sign Language are exempt. The Board's recognised countries are New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

You meet the requirement without a test if English is your primary language and all your primary and secondary schooling was in English in a recognised country and your OT qualification was taught and assessed in English; or you did at least two years of secondary school in English in a recognised country plus an OT qualification taught in English in a recognised country; or you completed at least six years of continuous full-time education in English in recognised countries, including tertiary study. NZ OT graduates can use attestations from their programme. Regulators change these rules, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current scores on the OTBNZ page before you book a test.