Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
FORAC minimum scores
From FORAC's Applying in English page. You need the minimum score in any one of these tests. IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.
| Test | Minimum overall | Lowest score allowed in any skill |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS General Training | 7.5 | 7 |
| PTE | 80 | 70 |
| CELPIP General | 9 | 8 |
Who needs a test and when to send it
If your optometry degree programme was taught in English, you do not need a language test. Your university must confirm to FORAC, by letter or email, that the language of instruction was English.
If it was not, you send the official notice of your results to the FORAC Credentialing Office when you apply for credential assessment. FORAC says you will not have to retest during the three-year validity of a successful credential assessment, even if your language results expire in that time.
Need a CLB score for Canada?
IRCC accepts IELTS General Training and PTE Core, not IELTS Academic or PTE Academic. Practise the test you will actually sit, free.
Free IELTS General practice →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
The rest of the FORAC process
Before applying to FORAC you buy a World Education Services ICAP package with a course-by-course evaluation, which FORAC lists at $245. The Canadian Optometric Evaluation Committee (COEC) academic credential assessment fee is listed at $2655.50 ($2350.00 plus 13% HST), payable by certified cheque in Canadian dollars and non-refundable.
Applicants who want to be assessed in French are referred to the Ordre des optométristes du Québec. Regulators change these rules, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current scores on the FORAC page before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score do optometrists need in Canada?+
FORAC asks for IELTS General Training with an overall average of 7.5 and no score lower than 7, if your optometry degree was not taught in English.
Does FORAC accept IELTS One Skill Retake?+
Yes. FORAC's page says IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.
What PTE score does FORAC need?+
An overall average of 80 with no score lower than 70.
Do I need IELTS if my optometry degree was in English?+
No. Your university confirms the language of instruction to FORAC instead.
Does my IELTS have to stay valid during the FORAC process?+
FORAC says a passed test does not need to be retaken during the three-year validity of successful credential assessment results, even if the language results expire.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for optometrists in Australia
- IELTS for optometrists in the UK
- IELTS for Canada Express Entry
- Free IELTS General Training mock test
- All 3605 guides
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.
© 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