2000 News

CGFNS Alerts the Following Change from the Department of Health and Human Services

PHILADELPHIA, PA — JUNE 7, 2000 — CGFNS Alerts the Following Change from the Department of Health and Human Services

Dear Ms. Nichols:

With regard to the program of Certification Requirements for Foreign Health Care Workers, we have received a communication from the Associate Director for Testing of the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). They have informed us that, effective June 30, 2000, the MELAB Oral Interview (Speaking Test) will no longer be given overseas, and will only be administered in the United States and Canada. A copy of their correspondence and Policy Change is attached.

With regard to the certification requirements for foreign health care workers, the primary effect under the Interim Rules will be on the nursing occupation. Currently, an alien coming to the U.S. to perform labor as a nurse may take either: (1) the tests administered by the Educational Testing Service, namely: (a) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); (b) Test of Written English (TWE); and (c) Test of Spoken English (TSE); or (2) MELAB Parts 1, 2, and 3, plus the MELAB Speaking Test (Oral Interview). The other two occupations covered by the interim rules, physical therapists and occupational therapists, must take the Educational Testing Service examinations.

With this change in availability of the MELAB Oral Interview, nursing applicants will basically have two alternatives open to them:

A. To take the three tests offered by the Educational Testing Service namely: (a) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); (b) Test of Written English (TWE); and (c) Test of Spoken English (TSE); or

B. To take MELAB Parts 1, 2, and 3, plus the Test of Spoken English (TSE) administered by the Educational Testing Service.

For nurses entering under Section 4 (Certification for Certain Alien Nurses) of the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act of 1999, these conditions may not apply. We would appreciate it if you could utilize your various program announcements and communication documents to inform the community of potential nursing applicants, who might be applying under this certification program, of this change in the availability of tests. We would also appreciate receiving a copy of any such announcements. We will also incorporate this information into future Federal Register notices as these are published.

Let me know if you have any questions (301-443-1891). Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Lyman Van Nostrand
Deputy Director, Office of Planning,
Evaluation and Legislation