The Certification Program is valuable to internationally educated registered nurses for the following reasons:

• The CGFNS Certification Program Certificate is required of internationally-educated registered nurses by a majority of U.S. states in order to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.
• CGFNS Certification Program Certificate holders consistently have a higher rate of success on the NCLEX-RN examination than internationally-educated nurses who do not hold the Certificate.
• The CGFNS Certification Program Certificate helps internationally-educated registered nurses in their quest for an occupational visa to practice in the U.S. CGFNS was named in section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 as an organization qualified to administer a screening program for healthcare professionals who are seeking an occupational visa. For internationally-educated nurses who have not taken the NCLEX-RN exam, passing the CGFNS Qualifying Exam fulfills one of the requirements of section 343.

CGFNS has rostered and tested over 300,000 Certification Program applicants since 1977. Over 120,000 of those applicants have met all stated requirements at the time of their application and have received their Certification Program Certificate.

Program Elements

Initial and endorsement licensure requirements differ from state to state. Therefore, we suggest that you contact the Board of Nursing in the state where you wish to practice to verify their licensure requirements. Please visit the web site of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (www.ncsbn.org) for a listing of each U.S. State Board of Nursing and licensing jurisdiction.

The CGFNS Certification Program consists of a Qualifying Examination, a Credentials Evaluation, and demonstration of English language proficiency. The CGFNS Certification Program (CP) is designed only for first-level, general nurses (registered nurses-RNs) educated outside of the United States.

Part One - Credentials Review

CGFNS certifies that you are a first-level, general nurse (as defined historically by the International Council of Nurses) by evaluating your education and registration/license.

Part Two - Qualifying Exam of Nursing Knowledge

The Qualifying Exam is a one-day test of your nursing knowledge. It is a paper and pencil exam that is given in two parts. Part One in the morning and Part Two in the afternoon.

Part Three - An English Language Proficiency Examination: TOEFL, TOEFL iBT, TOEIC, or the Academic Module of IELTS

An English language proficiency examination is taken to determine your proficiency in the English language. The following examinations have been approved to meet the language proficiency requirement:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet-based (TOEFL iBT)
• Test of English for International Communicators (TOEIC)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

For an applicant to be exempt from the English proficiency requirement, they must meet ALL of the following criteria:

• country of nursing education was in United Kingdom (England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland), Australia, Canada (Quebec approved schools include: McGill University and Dawson College in Montreal, Vanier College in St. Laurent, John Abbott College in Sainte Anne de Bellevue, and Heritage College in Gatineau), South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, Trinidad/Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados or the United States.
• language of instruction and language of texts was English.

If a CGFNS Certification Program applicant does not meet ALL of these criteria, they must take an English proficiency examination.

Upon successful completion of all three elements of the Certification Program, applicants are awarded a CGFNS Certificate.

Initial and endorsement licensure requirements differ from state to state. Therefore, we suggest that you contact the Board of Nursing in the state where you wish to practice to verify their licensure requirements. Please visit the web site of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (www.ncsbn.org) for a listing of each U.S. State Board of Nursing and licensing jurisdiction.

It is also necessary to obtain a visa (temporary or permanent) in order to legally work in the U.S. Detailed information regarding visa applications and policies should be obtained from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You may check their web site at http://uscis.gov/.

The two main programs that CGFNS offers that are required by the majority of the U.S. Boards of Nursing in order to obtain registration/licensure as a nurse in the United States are the CGFNS Certification Program (CP) and the CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service (CES). A third program is geared specifically towards New York State and is called the CGFNS Credentials Verification Services (CVS) for New York State.

The USCIS requires the VisaScreen™ certificate from CGFNS for healthcare professionals seeking an occupational visa in order to work in the U.S.

The CGFNS Certification Program (CP)

The CGFNS Certification Program (CP) is designed specifically for first-level general (Registered) nurses educated outside the United States who wish to pursue a career in the U.S. as registered nurses. The program is comprised of three parts: a credentials review of your nursing education, registration and licensure; the CGFNS Qualifying Exam testing nursing knowledge (offered four times a year in over 40 test sites worldwide); and an English language proficiency examination. In order to be eligible for the CGFNS Qualifying Exam, you must have completed a minimum number of hours of both classroom instruction and clinical practice in Adult Medical/Surgical Nursing, Maternal/Infant Nursing (Obstetrics), excluding Gynecology, Care of Children (Pediatrics), and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, excluding Neurology. If you have not completed any and/or an insufficient number of hours in each of the above areas, you will be ineligible to take the CGFNS Qualifying Exam until you complete an entire course (both theory and clinical) in the deficient area from a government-approved nursing school. You must also have been registered (1) as a first-level (Registered) nurse in your country of education, and (2) currently hold a registration/license as a Registered Nurse in some jurisdiction. Verification of both registrations must be sent to CGFNS directly from the licensing body(ies).

Applicants may select from the following three English Proficiency examinations to take as part of the Certification Program:

1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
   Administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS)
   

             Passing Score: 540 (paper/pencil version)
                       
                                                                   207 (computerized version)

2. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT (internet Based Test)
   Administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS)
   

             Passing Score: 83

3. Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC)
   Administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS)
   

             Passing Score: 725

4. International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
   Administered by IELTS International
   

             Passing Score: 6.5 Overall (Academic Module)

You must apply directly with any of the following institutions in order to schedule an examination date:

TOEFL, TWE, TSE and TOEFL iBT TOEFL Services Educational Testing Service PO Box 6151 Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 USA Tel: (609) 771-7100 Website: www.ets.org

TOEIC Testing Program Educational Testing Service (ETS) Rosedale Road, MS 49-N Princeton, NJ 08541 USA Tel: 1 (800) 241-5393 FAX: (609) 683-2667 Email: toeic@ets.org Website: www.ets.org/toeic

IELTS International 100 East Corson Street, Suite 200 Pasadena, CA 91103 USA Tel: (626) 564-2954 Email: ielts@ieltsintl.org Website: www.ielts.org

All English language proficiency scores are valid for up to two years from the date of administration. Passing scores on both the CGFNS Qualifying Exam and an approved English proficiency examination must be attained within two years of each other in order for both scores to be accepted as successful completion of the Certification Program. Scores must be forwarded to CGFNS by the examining institution. After successfully completing all three parts of the Certification Program, an applicant is awarded a CGFNS CP Certificate.

The Credentials Evaluation Service (CES)

The CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) is a comprehensive course report prepared by CGFNS for a Board of Nursing, university, immigration office, employer, etc. This report analyzes the education and licensure earned outside of the United States in terms of how it compares with U.S. standards and expectations. There is no examination included in this program. Once all documentation, fees and a completed application are received, a report will be prepared and submitted to the recipient (i.e., Board of Nursing, U.S. college/university, an employer, etc.). A copy will also be issued to the applicant. The Board of Nursing will determine whether or not the applicant is eligible to take the national licensing examination for nurses in the United States – the NCLEX-RN® or NCLEX-PN® examination – which is required for all nurses in order to practice in the U.S.

The CGFNS® Credentials Verification Services (CVS) for New York State

The New York State Education Department requires that internationally-educated registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants obtain independent verification of the authenticity of their credentials verification service. CGFNS has been authorized to provide this service.

The Credentials Verification Services (CVS) program independently collects and verifies the authenticity of an applicant's educational and licensure/registration credentials. Once verified, the credentials are forwarded to the New York State Education Department to be evaluated as part of the applicants licensure application.

CGFNS assumes no responsibility for, and makes no analysis or determinations as to the comparability or sufficiency of the applicant's education or that the applicant has met any licensure requirements.

The ICHP VisaScreen™: Visa Credentials Assessment

If you are also interested in obtaining an occupational visa in the United States or working in the U.S. as a registered or licensed practical/vocational nurse, you are also required, by the 1996 immigration laws, to obtain a VisaScreen™ Certificate. The VisaScreen™ Certificate is issued after a complete evaluation of a professional's credentials to verify that he or she meets the minimum federal requirements. The Certificate must be received before the USCIS will issue an occupational visa to the applicant to live and work as a professional in their field in the U.S. The International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), a division of CGFNS, administers this screening process, which is called the "VisaScreen™". The VisaScreen™ program is comprised of three parts: a credentials review of your entire nursing education (educational requirements same as those for the Certification Program) and all registration/licensure that the applicant has held and currently holds, successful completion of either the CGFNS Certification Program or the NCLEX-RN® (for registered nurses), and successful completion of approved English language proficiency examinations. Passing scores for these examinations are as follows:

	Option #1			Option #2			Option #3		Option #4
Healthcare Profession	TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language	TWE Test of Written English	TSE Test of Spoken English	TOEIC Test of English for International Communication	TWE Test of Written English	TSE Test of Spoken English	IELTS International English Language Testing Service	IELTS Spoken Band	TOEFL iBT Total & Speaking Section
Registered Nurse (RN)	207 (540)	4.0	50	725	4.0	50	6.5 (Academic)	7.0	83 / 26
Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)	197 (530)	4.0	50	700	4.0	50	6.0 (General)	7.0	79 / 26

NOTE: TOEFL iBT scores are set by USCIS

Upon successful completion of all parts of the VisaScreen™ Program, the applicant will obtain the VisaScreen™ Certificate, which you must present to the USCIS at your final consular interview.

Documents required for any CGFNS Program

In order for CGFNS to complete an evaluation of your credentials for CP, CES, CVS or VisaScreen™, the following documents are required:

1. A completed CGFNS Application
   

   You can apply to CGFNS programs in one of three ways:

   1. Click here to apply online.
   2. Click here to download the application.
   3. Request a copy of the application from CGFNS by mail or phone.

2. A FULL transcript with an official school seal/stamp
   

   Mailed to CGFNS directly from your nursing school, verifying the total number of hours of classroom instruction (theory) and hours of clinical practice you completed in each of the courses you completed during your professional training/nursing program. Work experience CAN NOT be accepted as an alternative to lack of instruction/training undertaken during your educational program. For the Certification Program, your transcripts must be accompanied by a completed "Nursing Education Form". For both the CES and VisaScreen™, your transcripts must be accompanied by a completed "Request for Academic Records" form.

3. A validation of your original registration/license as a nurse
   

   Mailed to CGFNS directly from the authority which issues registrations/licensure in your original country of education (if applicable). If your diploma gives you the right to practice nursing in your country, your nursing school or the Ministry of Health must also validate your diploma to CGFNS.
   

4. A validation from any other licensing authority where you hold a license as a registered and/or practical nurse (if applicable).
   
   
5. A photocopy of your secondary school diploma (high school);
   

   OR, if you no longer have your original diploma, an official letter signed by the principal, with the school seal/stamp sent to CGFNS directly from your secondary school verifying your full dates of attendance and date of completion/graduation.

   Note: This step is no longer required for CP, CVS, and VisaScreen if you graduated from high school more than 10 years ago. CES still requires proof of your secondary school diploma regardless of your graduation date.

All documentation must be sent to CGFNS via mail/courier; CGFNS will not accept any official documentation sent either by fax or email.

Our mailing address is:

Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)
3600 Market Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-2651
USA

PLEASE NOTE: Successful completion of any CGFNS program does not in any way guarantee that you will be granted registration/licensure, academic admission, employment, etc. in the United States. It is the jurisdiction of the particular Board of Nursing, academic institution, employer, etc. to which you are applying as to whether or not your application will be accepted and registration, employment or admission will be granted.