Professional registration

What IELTS score do you need as an occupational therapist in Singapore?

Occupational therapists registering with Singapore's Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) need IELTS Academic with at least 7 in listening, reading, writing and speaking if their basic qualification is not from one of eight listed countries. The result must come from a single sitting taken within two years before the registration application.
  • Guide updated · 31 October 2026
  • 3 sections
  • IELTS

Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026

AHPC minimum scores for occupational therapy

From the AHPC requirements for registration application page, Table 1. Physiotherapy shares the same scores.

TestMinimum for occupational therapy
IELTS AcademicAt least 7 in listening, reading, writing and speaking
TOEFL iBT (from 1 August 2026)Overall 5.0 or more and at least 5.0 in each component
OETGrade B and above

Who needs to show English proficiency

Applicants whose basic professional qualification is from Singapore, Australia, Canada (except Quebec), New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the UK or the USA do not need to show English proficiency. Everyone else must, before conditional registration can be granted. To be eligible at all you need a basic professional qualification in your profession and an offer of employment in that profession in Singapore, as listed on the AHPC requirements page.

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Rules for results

Only results taken within the two years before the date of your registration application are accepted. There is no limit on attempts, but you must meet every component of a test in a single sitting, and you must show the proof when you submit your registration application.

Regulators change these rules, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current scores on the AHPC page before you book a test.

Frequently asked questions

What IELTS score do occupational therapists need in Singapore?+

IELTS Academic with at least 7 in each of listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Is there an overall IELTS score for occupational therapy?+

The AHPC sets a minimum of 7 for every component rather than a separate overall score.

How recent must my IELTS be?+

Taken within the two years before the date of your registration application.

Do I need a job offer?+

Yes. The AHPC requires an offer of employment in your profession in Singapore.

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Guide updated on 31 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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