Want to take NCLEX-RN?
In order for you to qualify to take National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), you must:
1. Decide what state you want to practice as a Registered Nurse.
Visa Screen Program
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires, under section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, internationally educated health care professionals, such as:
- Registered Nurses
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physician Assistants
- Clinical Laboratory Technicians (Medical Technicians)
- Clinical Laboratory Scientists (Medical Laboratory Technologists)
- Speech Language Pathologists
- Speech Language Audiologists
- Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurses
seeking temporary or permanent occupational visas as well as those who are seeking Trade NAFTA (TN) status, to first obtain a CGFNS/ICHP VisaScreen® Certificate as part of the visa process. VisaScreen® is administered by the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP) a division of CGFNS International.
Certification ProgramThe CGFNS Certification Program is designed specifically for first-level, general (registered) nurses educated outside the United States who are eligible to practice as registered nurses in the United States. The program is comprised of three parts:1. The program is comprised of three partsa credentials review, which includes an evaluation of secondary and nursing education, registration and licensure;2. the CGFNS Qualifying ExamSM a test of nursing knowledge offered three to four times a year in over 50 test sites worldwide, also satisfies one of the immigration requirements for securing an occupational visa to work in the United States; and
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.
Credentials Evaluation ServiceThe CGFNS International Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) analyzes the credentials of multiple types and levels of health care professionals who are educated outside of the United States and who wish to pursue licensure or academic admission in the United States.
The CES report is advisory in nature and does not make specific placement recommendations. The process generally takes from 6 to 8 weeks after receipt of all required documentation and fees. Processing times may vary during periods of high volume.
The resulting CES report serves as a valuable tool for regulatory/licensing agencies, specialty certification authorities, academic institutions, immigration attorneys, prospective employers and others. It also helps qualified applicants demonstrate the merits of their credentials with regard to U.S. standards, facilitating their pursuit of educational or career opportunities in the United States. We suggest you contact the organization (the recipient) that asked to receive your CES Report and find out which type of report they require.
Credential Verification Service for New York StateThe New York State Education Department requires that internationally educated:
obtain independent verification of the authenticity of their credentials from a State Education Department approved Credential Verification service.
The CGFNS Credential Verification Service for New York State 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 applicant’s licensure application.
There is a separate, additional application for licensure in New York State, the Application for Licensure and First Registration. In order to be licensed in New York State, you must complete that application and send it to NYSED, not to CGFNS. It is available at http://www.op.nysed.gov/pt.htm.
International Consultants of DelawareIn 2000, CGFNS acquired International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). ICD is recognized globally as an expert in the field of international education. Established in 1977, ICD is a credentialing agency that evaluates international educational documents and provides their U.S. equivalents. These equivalents assist individuals who are in pursuit of continuing their education, employment, obtaining immigration visas and seeking professional licensure.
As a charter member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), ICD utilizes the most up-to-date data available from sources such as the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), Association of International Educators (NAFSA), Institute of International Education(IIE), and the American-Mideast Educational and Training Services (AMIDEAST). These data resources are continually monitored and updated by current overseas and U.S. educators, American embassies, and referenced in ICD’s own country databanks. A provider of world-class educational evaluation services for more than 20 years, ICD is aware of the importance of its reports to the future and professional careers of its clients.
ICD Services
ICD’s various credentials evaluation services benefit candidates applying for employment, admission to college or university academic programs, professional licensure in the United States, or to support an immigration application to the United States. ICD conducts credentials evaluations for numerous fields including but not limited to: accounting, business administration, business management, computer programming, computer science, engineering, doctor of medicine, medical technology, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, pure and applied sciences, respiratory therapy, speech and hearing science, and teacher certification.
Country Specific Program- HHRDC-CGFNS-ISPN (International Standard for Professional Nurses)in the People’s Republic of ChinaThe HHRDC-CGFNS-ISPN program has been developed through a joint effort between The HHRDC in the People’s Republic of China and CGFNS International in the United States. It includes administration of the CGFNS Qualifying Exam for first-level, general nurses in China as a way to strengthen nursing education and practice in China.
The program consists of two components: an initial status verification of first-level, general nurses followed by an examination to assess nursing knowledge.
- CGFNS AGNK (Assessment of General Nursing Knowledge) Pilot program in IndiaThe CGFNS Assessment of General Nursing Knowledge (AGNK) is a test that predicts the ability of an applicant to be successful in providing in-country nursing care.
This pilot program was introduced in India and focuses on enhancing the employability of nurses within India and in other countries outside the United States. The test does not substitute for the State Nursing Council Examination required for licensure in India, nor is it used for immigration purposes.
Although developed for local use, it also provides additional value as an international standard of assessment. The AGNK can be designed to the specific dimensions of the end-user, and thus can be used in a variety of professional, clinical and educational arenas.
This test is developed and builds on CGFNS International’s 30 years of experience in predicting success on the NCLEX-RN®. The CGFNS AGNK measures a nurse’s basic knowledge. It establishes a minimum standard for a first-level, general nurse to practice locally or in other countries and provides decision makers across the globe with information to make important decisions about nursing candidates.
that is so helpful! Thanks!