New English language requirements for international applicants to come into effect in 2025

In May 2024, our Council approved the principle of changing our English language proficiency requirements for new international applicants seeking to join the Register. 

The new requirements will come into effect on 29 January 2025.

From this date:

• international applicants will no longer be able to self-declare English as their first language as a way of meeting our requirements;
• a 'qualifying countries list ' (see below) will allow those who gained their relevant** primary qualification in a country on the list, to use this to evidence their proficiency; and
• all other international applicants will have to evidence their language ability via an approved test.

We are also adding Occupational English Test (OET) as a recognised English language test provider, in addition to our existing approved test providers, International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  We remain open to recognising further test providers, who have until March 2025 to show how their test would meet our criteria.

International applications to join the Register which are submitted and payment received from 00:01 GMT, 29 January 2025 onwards will be subject to the changed requirements above. Applications submitted before this date will be subject to the current requirements.

*those who are applying for the HCPC Register via the international route

**the qualification which relates to their HCPC registration

Further information

You can read more about the consultation process in our blog update: Update on our English language requirements

For more information about our English language proficiency requirements or our criteria for new test providers, please contact our Policy team:Queries about policy and standards

If you require assistance with your international application, you should contact our International Registration team: Queries about registration