As you may know NMC has finally agreed to reduce the writing score to 6.5 on 28th November 2018 council meeting. It took a while but we heard the right decision from NMC and I would like to thank you for your patience and support. As a part of the extensive review NMC also looking into further options on overseas nurses registration requirement. I have been getting questions from people asking on OET writing score reduction. As of now i have not heard anything from NMC on this but i am speaking to the relevant authorities on this.I will soon have an update on this for you. 

From Wednesday 5 December, NMC started to accept accept an IELTS Academic  certificate that confirms you scored a minimum of 6.5 in writing alongside a minimum of 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking, so long as you achieved the minimum overall score of 7.0. This can be from two results within six months and all scores in both sittings are above 6.5, and you achieve at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7 in the reading, listening and speaking sections in either of the two test sittings. 

NMC has updated these changes on their recent report copied below: NMC/18/102-1.English Language Requirements
The Director of Registration and Revalidation introduced the paper
which proposed a change to the English language requirements for
applicants from the EU/EEA and overseas. The proposal was to
continue to require an overall score of 7 in the International English
Language Test (IELTS) but to accept 6.5 in the writing element of the
test.
In discussion, the following points were noted:
a) Extensive consultation and engagement had been undertaken over
the past year and the approach of other regulators had been
considered. Strong evidence had been heard from those in the field
that the changes were needed and there was generally positive
support for the proposed change, although some were keen for this
to go further.
b) A small number had raised concerns about public protection.
However, the number of fitness to practise cases relating to
registrants not having the right level of English language was small.
c) This was about the language skills needed to practise safely and
effectively at the point of entry on the register. For all registrants,
communications skills continued to develop to meet the needs of
particular roles and specialities. It was a matter for employers to
ensure that registrants had language competence for their particular
roles.
d) There was a cross regulatory group on communication and work
would continue, both in terms of consideration of evidence and
monitoring fitness to practice cases and impact on patients. There
may be some learning from other regulators which could be
explored, for example the GMC’s welcome to the UK course.
e) The proposed change was a result of the NMC listening and learning
from the experience of the sector, about an aspect of the overseas
registration process that was presenting difficulties. As such, it was a
moderate and proportionate response.
f) It would be important to monitor the impact of the change carefully
and visibly. There should be a report back to the Council on next
steps and the time frame for evaluating impact.
Decision – The Council approved the proposal to maintain an
overall score of 7 in the International English Language Test
(IELTS), allowing a minimum of 6.5 in the writing element.

Thanks

Kind Regards 

Febin Cyriac