Canada Regulator Guide

CNO OET English Requirements for Canadian Nurses

Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) pursuing registration in Ontario must prove English language proficiency to register with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). The CNO accepts the Occupational English Test (OET) Nursing version.

Improve Your Writing Score View Score Rules ↓

In Short

  • Scores needed: Listening 350, Speaking 350, Reading 330, Writing 320.
  • Submission: Do not send scores to NNAS. Submit OET results directly to the CNO (or provincial regulator).
  • Validity: OET test results must have been taken within the last two years of your registration application.

CNO Canada Score Thresholds

Sub-test Required Score OET Grade IELTS Equivalent
Listening 350 Grade B Band 7.5
Reading 330 Grade C+ Band 6.5
Speaking 350 Grade B Band 7.0
Writing 320 Grade C+ Band 6.5

Canadian Provincial Equivalency

Most Canadian nursing regulators recognize the same benchmarks aligned with the Canadian Nurse Regulators Collaborative (CNRC). However, British Columbia (BCCNM), Alberta (CRNA), and Nova Scotia (NSCN) maintain separate verification paths.

Since NNAS ceased processing language tests in late 2022, candidates should ensure OET portal settings are configured to release score reports directly to their target provincial regulator (e.g. CNO for Ontario).

"Canada accepts a Writing score of 320 (Grade C+). Although lower than the Grade B (350) required by NMC/AHPRA, many nurses still struggle with OET writing conventions and lose valuable months in registration delays."

— Senior OET Assessor, WCS Writing Service

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) accept OET?
Yes, the CNO accepts the Occupational English Test (OET) Nursing version as proof of English language proficiency for internationally educated nurses.
What OET scores are required for Canada CNO registration?
The CNO requires minimum OET Nursing scores of 350 (Grade B) in Listening and Speaking, 330 (Grade C+) in Reading, and 320 (Grade C+) in Writing.
Does NNAS collect OET scores?
No. The National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) does not collect or verify OET language proficiency scores. You must submit your OET results directly to the CNO or the provincial regulatory body where you are applying.

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.