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New Zealand Regulator Guide

MCNZ OET English Requirements for Doctors

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) migrating to New Zealand must prove their English language proficiency to register with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). The Occupational English Test (OET) Medicine is accepted, with specific rules on scoring, sittings, and combining windows.

Improve Your Writing Score View Score Rules ↓

In Short

  • Scores needed: Listening 350, Reading 350, Speaking 350, Writing 300.
  • Combining rules: Allowed across 2 sittings in 12 months, provided you sat all 4 sub-tests each time and no individual score fell below 300.
  • Test delivery: The MCNZ policy does not say whether OET@Home is accepted; check with the Council before booking a remote sitting.

MCNZ Score Thresholds

Sub-testRequired ScoreOET GradeIELTS Equivalent
Listening350Grade BBand 7.5
Reading350Grade BBand 7.5
Speaking350Grade BBand 7.5
Writing300Grade C+Band 7.0

Score Combining Guidelines

The Medical Council of New Zealand allows candidates to combine results from two sittings. This helps if the required score in every section is not reached in one sitting. The conditions are:

  • Both sittings must be completed within a 12-month period.
  • You must take all four sub-tests (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) at each sitting.
  • You must meet the required score (350 for L/R/S, 300 for W) in each sub-test across the combined sittings.
  • No individual sub-test score from either test sitting can fall below 300 (Grade C+).

Frequently Asked Questions

What OET score does the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) require?
The MCNZ requires OET Medicine scores of at least 350 (Grade B) in Listening, Reading, and Speaking, and at least 300 (Grade C+) in Writing.
Can I combine OET scores for New Zealand registration?
Yes, you can combine scores from two sittings taken within a 12-month period, provided you sit all four sub-tests in each sitting and no individual score falls below 300 (Grade C+).
Does MCNZ accept OET@Home?
The MCNZ English language policy does not say whether OET@Home is accepted, so check with the Council before booking a remote sitting.

Related OET Writing guides

Continue your preparation with these related resources.

OET Scoring Criteria →

How the 6 criteria are assessed and where most candidates lose marks.

Grade B Sample Letters →

20 worked sample letters by profession × scenario with line-by-line annotations.

Mistake Clinics by Profession →

10 profession-specific mistake clinics — wrong vs right examples per criterion.

Grade A vs B vs C Compared →

Three letters from the same case notes at three bands — what moves you up one.

Working in the Gulf?

Doctors, nurses and pharmacists in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman

The score you need depends on where you are registering, not where you work now. Pick your country and profession for the route from the Gulf.

Doctors
Saudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOman
Nurses
Saudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOman
Pharmacists
Saudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOman

Official source: Medical Council of New Zealand. Checked 10 October 2026. Regulators change their rules, so confirm on the official page before you book a test.