5. What language test is required?
You may select from the following 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)
GNA can provide assistance with test registration or you may apply directly with any of the following institutions in order to schedule an examination date:

6. How long are English Proficiency scores valid?
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.

7. What is the CGFNS Qualifying Exam?
The test is designed to see if nurses with international educations are qualified to practice in the United States. If you pass the exam, it means that your credentials are valid and that the educational standards of your school or institution meet those expected of nursing programs in the United States.
To be eligible for the test, foreign nurses must have significant experience in a wide range of nursing fields. A minimum number of hours in classroom instruction and clinical practice are required in the fields of Adult Medical/Surgical Nursing, Maternal/Infant Nursing (Obstetrics), Care of Children (Pediatrics), and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing. The CGFNS web site has specific information about the instruction and hours needed.
You also need to be a registered first-level nurse in the country where you were educated, and you must hold a current registration/license as an R.N.

8. Do I have to be licensed to take the Qualifying Exam?
Yes. You must have a license/registration from your country in order to be eligible for the exam.

9. I received training at the secondary-level. Does this make me eligible to sit for the CGFNS Qualifying Exam?
No. Secondary-level training equates to “hospital based training” in the United States, which means that a greater emphasis is placed on hands-on experience instead of theory. As noted above, you be an RN who has completed a required number of hours in theory and clinical courses to qualify.
If you need to take additional classes or to receive a nursing degree from the United States, you can Find Nursing Schools on our site or go directly to a list of Featured Nursing Schools.

10. Where and when can I take the Qualifying Exam?
The Qualifying Exam is offered three times each year in over 40 locations worldwide. To find a test center near you, contact the CGFNS Customer Service Department or consult the CGFNS Certification Program handbook. You can also visit their website.

11. If I do not pass the Qualifying Exam, can I re-take it?
Yes, but remember that you must sit for the TOEFL and Qualifying Exam within two years of each other in order to have valid scores.

12. What is a VisaScreen certificate?
VisaScreen is administered by the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), which is a division of CGFNS. The screening program is federally-approved and is designed for all health care workers who want occupational visas, including RNs and LPNs. The VisaScreen certificate is required by the INS and must be obtained before you can receive a residency visa. When you receive the certificate, you can present it to your consular office with the rest of your visa application.

13. How does the VisaScreen process work?
In order to receive a VisaScreen certificate, CGFNS must conduct credential reviews of your nursing education and licensure, and an assessment of your English language skills. You must also be able to pass either the CGFNS Qualifying Exam or the NCLEX exam. According to the CGFNS, when you receive the VisaScreen packet, you should:
• Complete the VisaScreen application.
• Complete the enclosed forms to send to your nursing school(s). Academic transcripts must come directly from the nursing school(s).
• Complete the enclosed forms to send to your licensing authority(ies). Validations of all licenses, past and present, must come directly from the licensing authorities.
• You must successfully complete an English language proficiency test and have the scores directly forwarded to ICHP from the testing agency.
• You must successfully pass either the CGFNS Qualifying Exam or the NCLEX-RN examination if you are a nurse.
• Enclose a copy of your high school diploma or equivalent.
• Enclose the application fee.

14. What is the credentials review?
The credentials review looks at theoretical instruction and clinical practice in five major areas of nursing: Adult Medical Nursing, Adult Surgical Nursing, Maternal/Infant Health Nursing (Obstetrics), Care of Children/Pediatrics, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing. Generally, it does not examine additional education in the sciences, humanities, or other areas of study.

15. Can any foreign students be exempted from the English proficiency tests?
You can be exempted if:
• You graduated from a nursing program in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United States, United Kingdom or Canada (except Quebec) AND
• The program’s language of instruction was English AND
• The language of your textbooks was English.

16. What is the Credentials Evaluation Service?
The CES is prepared by CGFNS and will be sent to Boards of Registration, universities, employers, immigration offices and others who may require the information. The service compares your education and licensure to nursing standards in the United States. You do not need to take a test for the CES. There are different types of CES reports, and the recipient – the State Board of Nursing, if you wish to be licensed in the U.S., or a university, if you wish to attend an American school – will tell you which level of report is required.

17. What is the Credentials Evaluation Service?
The CES is prepared by CGFNS and will be sent to Boards of Registration, universities, employers, immigration offices and others who may require the information. The service compares your education and licensure to nursing standards in the United States. You do not need to take a test for the CES. There are different types of CES reports, and the recipient – the State Board of Nursing, if you wish to be licensed in the U.S., or a university, if you wish to attend an American school – will tell you which level of report is required.
The CES evaluation is more in-depth than those required by the CP and VisaScreen. The CES looks at the content of your entire professional program in order to confirm that it is comparable to a nursing/professional program of study in the United States.

18. What will the recipients of my CES reports want to see?
Each report recipient may have different credentials they want to see. Be sure to check with them individually. After you know for certain, submit copies of appropriate documents – except for academic transcripts and registration/license validations, which must come from the issuing bodies.

19. What will I need for the CES?
After you request or download a CES application, you must first complete the application form and send it to CGFNS.
You must also include all requested documentation and the full payment for the service, which must be in US Dollars – the CGFNS recommends an international money order or a credit card payment from Discover/Novus, Visa or Mastercard.
Requests for academic records and license validations must be sent to CGFNS by authorized institutions, like your professional school or your country’s licensing authority. Do not send these yourself.

20. What if my school transcripts are not in English?
According to the CGFNS web site, certified word-for-word translations must accompany transcripts in their original languages. If your school cannot provide this service, CGFNS offers translation for a fee.

21. What can I do if my school or licensing agency closed?
If your school closed, you need to contact the institution or agency (like the ministry of health) authorized to hold documents for your school. Likewise, regional or national licensing boards might be organizations to contact if your original licensing agency no longer operates. You must find out who has the authority to validate your records: CGFNS will not accept copies of licenses or school transcripts, only official validation from official issuers.

22. How do I send documentation to the CGFNS?
CGFNS does not accept documents via fax or email; you must send hard copies through regular postal mail.

23. Are there any other requirements?
Once you have successfully completed all of the above steps you will be scheduled for a medical examination and an immigration interview with the American Embassy in your home country. The immigration interview will consist of a review all of your qualifying paperwork: including CGFNS paperwork, job placement, criminal background check, etc.

24. Can my spouse and children immigrate with me?
Usually, your spouse and minor children will be able to immigrate at the same time as you. They will also need to undergo a medical examination and immigration interview.

Note: This FAQ has been developed in partnership with the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.
We are grateful for their assistance.