TL;DR: No. The AMC says English proficiency is a Medical Board of Australia requirement, not an AMC one, so you can sit the AMC MCQ without an English exam. Ahpra checks your English when you apply for registration.
The best time to sit your English exam is usually the three weeks you wait for your AMC Part 1 result.
Ahpra's IELTS Academic minimum is 7 overall, with 7 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing.
OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge are also accepted, with new minimums for tests from 23 April 2026.
Results must be less than two years old when you lodge your registration application.
AMC Academic includes the full IELTS Academic course in every plan, on the same login as your AMC Part 1 question bank.
Where the English exam fits
| Step | English exam needed? |
|---|---|
| Sitting the AMC CAT MCQ (AMC Part 1) | No |
| Sitting the AMC Clinical exam | No |
| Registering with Ahpra and the Medical Board of Australia | Yes |
The AMC runs the exams. Ahpra and the Medical Board handle registration, and that's where your English exam result is checked. The AMC does recommend sorting out proof of English early, before you apply under any assessment pathway. Our guide to Ahpra vs AMC explains who does what.
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The English exam scores Ahpra accepts
These minimums apply to tests taken on or after 23 April 2026.
| English exam | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.5 | 7 |
| OET | No overall score | 350 | 360 | 350 | 360 |
| PTE Academic | 63 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 76 |
| TOEFL iBT | 91 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
Ahpra also accepts Cambridge C1 Advanced (178 overall) and C2 Proficiency (185 overall), and the Medical Board accepts a pass in PLAB or NZREX. Tests taken on or before 22 April 2026 are judged on the older table. For OET, that means B in listening, reading and speaking, and C+ in writing.
Three rules catch people out:
Your result must be less than two years old on the day you lodge your registration application, with narrow exceptions for continuous work or study.
You can combine up to two sittings of the same English exam, no more than 12 months apart. For IELTS, each sitting needs 7 overall, with no section below 6.5.
Sit at a test centre. IELTS Online isn't accepted.
Our AMC MCQ results guide covers these rules alongside how your AMC exam result works.
When to sit your English exam
Sit it between your AMC CAT MCQ and your result. AMC MCQ results come out at 4.00pm on the Friday three weeks after the exam, so you have a ready-made window with nothing clinical competing for your time.
Book the date before you sit the AMC exam, so it lands inside or just after that window. Don't sit it years early: if your result is more than two years old when you lodge, you'll need to sit it again.
Should you prepare for both at the same time?
It depends on how far you are from the score you need. Our IELTS Academic plan for doctors sets it out:
| Where you are now | What to do |
|---|---|
| Practice scores near your target | Prepare alongside your AMC study, then sit the English exam while you wait for your AMC result |
A band or more short, often in writing | Start English exam preparation now, in parallel with AMC Part 1 |
| AMC Part 1 already passed | Book your English exam now |
Your last result is more than 18 months old | Sit again if it will be over two years old when you lodge |
Most doctors give AMC Part 1 three to six months at 20 to 25 hours a week, and our day-by-day 12-week plan is the shortest version. The English plan adds 45 to 60 minutes a day, six days a week, so fit it around your AMC hours rather than on top of them.
IELTS, OET or another English exam?
Ahpra accepts all five tests above. OET is built on healthcare scenarios, which suits some doctors in daily practice. IELTS is recognised well beyond healthcare, including for visas, and there's far more preparation material for it. Choose the one you score best in on a timed practice test.
Where AMC Academic fits
AMC Academic includes the full IELTS Academic course in every plan, on the same login as your AMC Part 1 question bank. Writing and speaking are scored against the IELTS band descriptors, with an estimated band and AI-powered feedback, and speaking records straight from your device.
When the AMC MCQ is done, you open the IELTS section instead of paying for a second platform. Plans start at US$19 a month on the six-month plan.
Try 20 AMC Part 1 questions free, no account or card needed, or work through 16 free IELTS Academic practice questions.
Common questions
Is IELTS required for the AMC exam?
No. You can sit the AMC CAT MCQ and the AMC Clinical exam without an English exam. Ahpra needs one when you apply for registration.
Do you need OET for the AMC exam?
No. OET is one of the English exams Ahpra accepts for registration. For tests from 23 April 2026, you need 350 in listening and writing and 360 in reading and speaking.
What IELTS score do doctors need in Australia?
IELTS Academic 7 overall, with at least 7 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing.
Is PTE accepted for the AMC exam?
You don't need PTE to sit the AMC exam. For registration, Ahpra accepts PTE Academic with 63 overall: 58 listening, 59 reading, 60 writing and 76 speaking.
How long is an English exam result valid for Ahpra?
Two years before the date you lodge your registration application, with narrow exceptions for continuous work or study in English.
Can I sit my English exam before AMC Part 1?
Yes, but it must still be under two years old when you lodge. If the AMC MCQ or your job search runs long, you may have to sit it again.
Related guides
Sources: Ahpra: accepted English language tests (updated 23 April 2026) · AMC: English language proficiency · AMC: MCQ examination