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There are many different professional bodies that ask for IELTS score for registration in the industry. These professions can vary from teaching  social work  nursing  or engineering  to name a few.

If you are a working professional you have two options for IELTS, with the IELTS General Training  and the IELTS Academic  tests. You can check with the organisation  directly which test is needed.

Some bodies ask for the IELTS General Training test, some require the IELTS Academic test, while there are some that accept both.

The IELTS General Training test includes tasks which are related to social and workplace settings, so it is accepted by many vocational training centres or professional organisations.

The IELTS Academic test is designed to assess whether you are ready to begin training in an environment where the English language is used and reflects some of the features of language used in academic study. Professions such as medicine, nursing, accounting, and engineering may require an Academic test result for registration purposes in many countries.

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IELTS for work

Which industries require an IELTS test?

Many of the fields that accept the IELTS test represent health professions. This would include the nursing, medicine and pharmacy industries where English language skills are crucial. Other professional sectors that require IELTS scores may include engineering, accounting, veterinary medicine and law. Many other employers from industries such as construction, finance, energy, government, aviation and tourism also require IELTS scores.

Which professional bodies require an IELTS test?

In most countries where English is the primary language of communication, applicants and international graduates seeking professional certification are required to provide acceptable evidence of English language proficiency.

The level of skills required varies by organization, profession, country and jurisdiction. It is up to individual professional registrars to determine which IELTS score and type of test (Academic or General Training) they require.

Individual organizations have different language requirements depending on your profession's nature. Make sure you check with your organisation to see if an IELTS test is needed and which type of test is required.

Learn more about IELTS for work