Rules, comparisons and data

What IELTS score do you need as a podiatrist in the UK?

Chiropodists and podiatrists who qualified outside the HCPC's qualifying countries need IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.5, on IELTS Academic or General Training at a test centre. The podiatry OET (1400, no element below 300) and TOEFL iBT are also accepted; PTE is not. Your certificate must be under two years old when the HCPC receives it.
  • Guide updated · 29 October 2026
  • 3 sections
  • IELTS

Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026

HCPC minimum scores for podiatrists

From the HCPC's certificate of English language proficiency page, which lists the profession as chiropodists/podiatrists.

TestMinimum for chiropodists and podiatrists
IELTS (Academic or General, UKVI or non-UKVI)7.0 with no element below 6.5
TOEFL iBTBefore 21 January 2026: 100/120. From 21 January 2026: overall 5 with reading 4.5, listening 5, writing 4.5, speaking 5
OET (Podiatry)1400 with no element below 300

Retakes, test rules and validity

IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training are both accepted, in UKVI and non-UKVI versions, but only at an official test centre, not at home. Certificates must be no more than two years old when the HCPC receives your application.

IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted if the retake is done within six months of the original test and the retake result appears on the test report alongside the original results. The retake is valid for the same two-year period as the original test.

TOEFL iBT is not accepted if taken in the UK, and the HCPC does not accept combined scores, superscores or MyBest scores. PTE Academic is not on the HCPC's list.

Need a SELT for a UK visa?

Where the Home Office asks for a Secure English Language Test, IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI are approved. Practise the format free.

Free IELTS for UKVI practice →

Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.

Who needs a test

You do not need a test if the qualification that first let you practise was gained in a country on the HCPC's qualifying countries list, which includes Australia, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Malta, New Zealand, the USA and a number of Caribbean and other territories. Everyone else applying through the international route must send a test certificate.

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 do podiatrists need for the HCPC?+

7.0 overall with no element below 6.5.

Can podiatrists use OET?+

Yes. The podiatry OET with 1400 and no element below 300.

Is IELTS General Training accepted?+

Yes. The HCPC accepts IELTS Academic and General, UKVI and non-UKVI, at a test centre.

How old can my certificate be?+

No more than two years old when the HCPC receives your application.

Keep reading

Related

Guide updated on 29 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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