What OET score do doctors need for the GMC?

Unlike the NMC for nurses, the GMC does not let you combine sittings: all four grades must come from the same test (GMC). The grades must also come from your most recent sitting, so if you sit OET again, the newer result is the one the GMC looks at. Plan any extra attempt with that in mind.

To book PLAB part 1 with OET scores, enter them in the 'My Tests' section of your GMC Online account; verification can take up to two working days (GMC). Select the General Medical Council as a recognising organisation in your OET account so the GMC can verify your scores without delay.

OET certificates are valid for two years (GMC). For PLAB, the certificate must be valid on the day you sit PLAB part 1. For registration with a licence to practise, it must be valid when the GMC approves your application.

If your certificate is over two years old and you recently passed PLAB 2, the GMC may extend its validity if the certificate is less than three years old and you passed PLAB 2 less than three months before your registration application was received. Otherwise, it may consider references covering at least three months of full-time study or employment within the last two years in a country where English is the first and native language. There is no extension on the sponsorship route.

Doctors applying for the Health and Care Worker visa do not need to prove their English again if they have passed an English assessment accepted by their regulator (gov.uk).

The GMC also accepts IELTS; see IELTS for doctors in the UK and the grade equivalents in OET to IELTS. If you lean towards IELTS, a free IELTS mock test is a quick way to check your level.