CORU Occupational Therapist English Requirements 2026

CORU's 2026 English language policy for occupational therapists requires proof of English at CEFR C1 level. The three accepted test routes are:

Key takeaways

• CORU requires occupational therapists to prove English at CEFR C1 level for 2026 registration.
• Accepted tests: OET (Occupational Therapy route), IELTS Academic, or Cambridge C1 Advanced.
• OET route allows B in three components and C+ in one.
• IELTS Academic requires overall 7.0, no component below 6.5.
• Cambridge C1 Advanced requires Grade C.

In this guide: Decision table | Accepted English tests for CORU occupational therapists | OET Occupational Therapy route details | IELTS and Cambridge C1 Advanced routes | Scenario: Choosing the right test | Checklist: Steps to meet the requirement | How we researched | Sources

Decision table

Accepted English tests for CORU occupational therapists

• OET (Occupational English Test) Occupational Therapy route
• IELTS Academic
• Cambridge C1 Advanced

Each test has specific score requirements and evidence rules. The policy applies to applications submitted from 8 May 2026. Always confirm the latest requirements directly with CORU before booking a test or submitting evidence. See the official CORU language policy.

OET Occupational Therapy route details

The OET Occupational Therapy route is tailored for occupational therapists. CORU accepts OET results with the following minimum scores:

• Grade B in three components (Listening, Reading, Speaking, or Writing)
• Grade C+ in one component

The OET certificate must be dated within two years of your application. If you need to combine results, CORU allows evidence from up to two sittings with the same provider within a six-month period. No more than one component below B (but not below C+) is permitted.

IELTS and Cambridge C1 Advanced routes

If you choose IELTS Academic, CORU requires:

• Overall score of 7.0
• No component below 6.5

For Cambridge C1 Advanced, the minimum accepted result is:

• Grade C

As with OET, certificates must be dated within two years of your application. Only two sittings from the same provider within six months are accepted if you need to combine scores.

Scenario: Choosing the right test

Suppose you are an occupational therapist planning to register with CORU in 2026. You have not yet taken an English test. You want to know which test route best matches your background:

• If you have experience with healthcare-specific English, the OET Occupational Therapy route may be most relevant. You need at least B in three components and C+ in one.
• If you are more familiar with academic English, IELTS Academic is an option, but you must achieve an overall 7.0 and at least 6.5 in each component.
• If you have previously studied for Cambridge exams, C1 Advanced Grade C is accepted.

In all cases, your certificate must be recent (within two years), and if you need to combine results, both sittings must be from the same provider within six months.

Checklist: Steps to meet the requirement

1. Confirm your application date: Ensure you are applying on or after 8 May 2026, when the current policy applies.
2. Choose your test route: Decide between OET (Occupational Therapy), IELTS Academic, or Cambridge C1 Advanced.
3. Book and prepare for your test: Use official preparation materials and consider free speaking baseline tools or daily speaking practice for support.
4. Sit the test: Achieve the required scores (see above for each route).
5. Check certificate validity: Make sure your certificate is dated within two years of your application.
6. If needed, combine results: Only two sittings from the same provider within six months are accepted.
7. Submit evidence to CORU: Provide your certificate(s) as part of your registration application.
8. Keep a copy of all documents and sources: CORU and the receiving organisation make the final decision.

Related guides

• CORU Physiotherapist English Requirements Ireland 2026
• CORU Radiographer English Requirements Ireland 2026

How we researched

This guide is based on the official CORU language policy and the CORU international applicant guide, reviewed in September 2026. We only include requirements and evidence rules published by CORU and do not generalise to other professions or authorities. SpeakShark cannot issue official evidence or guarantee acceptance by CORU.

Sources

• CORU language policy
• CORU international applicant guide
• Council of Europe CEFR

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