New HCPC English Language Requirements for International Physiotherapists (Effective January 2025)

Hello Everyone,

We are here to walk you through some important updates announced by the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) that will affect internationally trained physiotherapists planning to work and get registered as physiotherapists in the UK.

Starting 29 January 2025, HCPC is introducing new English language requirements as an effort to make sure that all international physiotherapists can communicate in the standard expected in the UK’s healthcare system. 

So, what are the new changes?

The HCPC has made three main changes;

First, internationally graduated pharmacists can not just self-declare English language proficiency anymore. A proof of it will now be required making it mandatory to clear english language tests. 

Second, If you graduated from a country on the qualifying list, like Australia, the USA, Canada, or more countries with English as their first language, you won’t need to take an English test. Your degree alone will be enough to show you meet the requirements.

Third, the HCPC has added the Occupational English Test (OET) to its list of approved tests along with IELTS and TOEFL. Since the OET is designed for healthcare professionals, it’s our recommendation that you take it instead of IELTS or TOEFL. You can also take IELTS or TOEFL if you prefer.

If your country is not on the qualifying list, you just need to pass one of the approved tests and you could register with the HCPC.

The passing score for each of these tests is; 

IELTS: Overall score of 7.0, with no section (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) below 6.5.

TOEFL (Internet-Based Test): Minimum score of 100 out of 120.

OET: Minimum score of 350 (Grade B) in each section (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking).

We understand that these changes might seem tough at first, especially if english is not your first language but you can rest assured of the great many benefits that would follow after all this hard work. The UK is a remarkable place for physiotherapists in terms of career opportunities and growth. So this is a chance that should not be missed due to fear of not being able to pass these tests.

And as always Academically is always here to support you in your journey of taking your healthcare practice abroad. We provide specialised training for IELTS and OET to help healthcare professionals like you reach greater heights with language barrier being the least of your concerns. 

Reach out to us today or visit academically.com and register for a free counselling session with our expert.