The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools and its division, the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP) has updated its program handbooks and applications for 2006. Be sure to use the 2006 versions for all new applications going forward.

Along with other timely updates, applicants will notice that the applications are now part of the handbook for each service.

To download these new applications click here.

Application Status Available 24 Hours Online

In order to remain fully informed of the application process, applicants are encouraged to check their status online. Using the CGFNS/ICHP identification number, applicants can check the status of their applications, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online at www.cgfns.org. Once on the Web site, click the "Check your status" link. You will then be prompted to enter your user name and password. Applicants may also use our Automated Phone System to check their status. The Automated Phone System, phone number, 215.599.6200, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Applicants will need their CGFNS/ICHP identification number and date of birth to access the Automated Phone System.

Four New Supplements to the Official CGFNS Study Guide Now Available for Purchase

The Official Study Guide for the CGFNS Qualifying Exam^SM is currently in its 5th edition of printing. Certification Program applicants receive the Study Guide FREE with their initial application and payment of fees.

Applicants have told CGFNS they want additional study materials with more in-depth focus on each of the four major areas of nursing in the United States.

CGFNS is pleased to announce that four additional mini guides or supplements to the Official Study Guide are now available for purchase.

The publications: Adult Health Nursing, Maternal/Infant Nursing, Nursing of Children, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, can be purchased for the price of $20 each or $60 for the set of four.

Order forms for the new mini study guides are available under the Store section of the CGFNS Web site:

Click here to purchase now!

The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) has begun accepting TOEFL iBT English scores on behalf of those applicants who are taking the new internet Based Testing English exam. CGFNS will continue to accept the previous TOEFL,TWE and TSE scores if they are less than 2 years old.

As of November 21, 2005, the following Total and Speaking section scores will be utilized as acceptable minimum passing scores for TOEFL iBT:

• Registered Nurses, Clinical Laboratory Scientists, (Medical Technologists) Speech Language Pathologists, Audiologists and Physician Assistants: Total 83 and Speaking 26
• Clinical Laboratory Technicians, (Medical Technicians) and Practical/Vocational Nurses, (LPN/LVN): Total 79 and Speaking 26
• Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists: Total 89 and Speaking 26

These scores are subject to change when a final decision or announcement is published by the Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding the approval of minimum passing TOEFL iBT scores for the designated health care professions.

For Registered Nurses active in the CGFNS Certification Program, (CP) only a passing Total score is required.

About TOEFL iBT:
Educational Testing Service (ETS) has developed this new internet based version of the TOEFL, (TOEFL iBT) which will measure all four skills of communication: reading, writing, listening, and for the first time speaking. A new scoring scale has been established that will contain one total score on a scale of 0-120 and four skill scores each on a scale of 0-30.

For a list of where the TOEFL iBT is being administered, visit the learners and test takers section of the TOEFL Web site at http://www.ets.org/toefl/.