Nurses registering for licensure with the Washington State Nursing Care and Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC) can now prove they have the right level of English using OET. The Nursing Commission accepts OET results from all delivery modes, giving nurses choices for how they want to take OET - on paper, on computer at a test venue or at home via remote proctoring.

Available globally, OET is a specialised English language test designed to reflect a healthcare context. All test tasks are based on typical workplace scenarios and there are 12 versions of the test for 12 different healthcare professions. The new recognition in Washington provides nurses with an opportunity to take an English test more suitable to their profession and purpose than a general English test.

OET assesses all four communication skills (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking), with an emphasis on providing high quality care and patient safety. Nurses who have completed their qualifications outside of the USA in a location where the English language is not prevalent are required to take an English proficiency test to register in Washington.

CEO of OET Sujata Stead commented:

"I am extremely pleased about the new recognition from Washington State Nursing Care and Quality Assurance Commission. This presents an opportunity for nurses to prove their English communication skills with OET via tasks that are relevant to their profession. OET is an excellent and proven tool to effectively measure the English proficiency of healthcare professionals.

We share a commitment to patient safety and quality care with the Nursing Commission. I can say with absolute confidence that OET can help achieve this through our secure, reliable, high-stakes English language test."

The NCQAC joins governments, healthcare boards, and educational institutions around the globe in their recognition of OET. To view all organisations who recognise OET, visit https://oet.com/discover/who-recognises-oet

About OET

OET is the world’s only international English language test specifically for healthcare professionals. The test assesses the communication skills of healthcare professionals who seek to register and practice in an English-speaking environment.

OET results are accepted by healthcare regulators world-wide, including in the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand,  Dubai and Singapore. The test is also recognised in Australia and New Zealand for visa and immigration purposes, while doctors and nurses in the UK are not required to take a separate English language test when applying for a Tier 2 (General) visa if they have provided OET results as proof of English proficiency to their healthcare regulator.

For more information visit http://www.oet.com or contact media@oet.com.au.