CORU Language Requirements

The CORU Language Requirements as set down below apply to all persons seeking registration under the standard registration route (provided for under section 38 of the Act). They also apply to persons who have had their international qualifications assessed and recognised by CORU and subsequently seek registration.

As all of the professions under CORU have patient safety implications, all CORU Registration Boards are entitled (under S.I. No. 8 of 2017) to carry out language controls to ensure that each applicant has sufficient knowledge of the language necessary to practise their profession in Ireland.

The ability to communicate safely and efficiently in a language of the State is critical to working effectively in Ireland. All applicants shall therefore be subject to the requirement of successfully completing a language test to assure language competence unless:

Evidence of II above will normally be in the form of a letter from the college or university that awarded the qualification. Evidence of III will normally be in the form of a letter from one or more employers covering the two-year period.

If an applicant cannot provide evidence of meeting any of the items (I), (II), or (III) above, then he/she will be required to take a CORU-approved test of English language proficiency and meet the minimum score for the relevant profession in order to be eligible for registration to the appropriate register. The language requirements for each registration board is presented below.

Linguistic Competence Standard

The general linguistic competence standard for CORU registration boards is set at C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The minimum standard is higher for Speech and Language Therapists due to the requirement for enhanced knowledge of the structure, syntax and grammar of language necessary for the practise of the profession.

The standard is also higher for Radiographers and Radiation Therapists as there is a greater risk to public safety due to the nature of ionising radiation.

Further information about the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is available at: https://www.coe.int/lang-CEFR. 

Language Requirements for each Registration Board

The language requirements have been considered by each registration board and the minimum test scores required for each profession in order to be eligible for registration are set out in the grid below.

Language Requirements by Registration Board

All language test certificates must be dated within two years of the date you submit your application for registration.

Please contact CORU if you wish to take a language test in the Irish language (Gaeilge).

Repeat Language Tests

In circumstances where an applicant provides the results of two tests, where the combination of test results demonstrate meeting the test requirements specified above, please note that CORU will accept results from a maximum of two test sittings.

The repeat test:

• must be taken from the same provider as the previous/initial test and;
• must be taken within six months of the initial test.

In circumstances where the results of two sittings are provided, the overall minimum score must be met on both test sittings and:

• If the test taken is the IELTS, no component score (listening, reading, writing or speaking) can fall below 6.5 or;
• If the test taken is the OET, no subtest score (listening, reading, writing or speaking) can fall below grade C.

Providing details to CORU to enable the verification of your results

In addition to providing your certificate of results from an approved language test, you must provide the additional details from your test specified below to enable CORU to verify your results online as provided below.