2001 News

Immigration and Naturalization Service Authorizes CGFNS to Issue VisaScreen^® Certificates to Four More Professions

PHILADELPHIA, PA — JANUARY 22, 2001 — The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) published an interim rule on January 16, 2001, stating that the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) may evaluate and certify the credentials of foreign-educated speech language pathologists and audiologists, medical technologists (also known as clinical laboratory scientists), physician assistants and medical technicians (also known as clinical laboratory technicians) who are seeking an immigrant "permanent" visa, or adjustment of status to permanent residency.

The rule, which takes effect on March 16, 2001, supplements earlier rules in which INS designated CGFNS to issue certificates to nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists under section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996.

All certificates will be issued through the VisaScreen^®: Visa Credentials Assessment program of the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), a division of CGFNS. CGFNS established ICHP in 1996 and created the VisaScreen^® program to conduct the certification of foreign-educated health care professions mandated in section 343. The VisaScreen^® certification program comprises an educational analysis, licensure validation, English language proficiency assessment, and in the case of nurses, an exam of nursing knowledge. Once the applicant has successfully completed all elements of the program, the applicant is awarded a VisaScreen^® Certificate, which can be presented to a consular officer or, in the case of adjustment of status the Immigration and Naturalization Service, as part of a visa application.

CGFNS is an immigration-neutral, nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia, PA, USA, and is an internationally recognized authority on education, registration and licensure of nurses and other health care professionals worldwide. CGFNS’s mission is to provide responsible leadership in the delivery of relevant services to the global nursing and health care community. The organization was founded in 1977 through a collaborative effort by representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor; Department of Health, Education and Welfare (now the Department of Health and Human Services); the Immigration and Naturalization Service; and representation from nursing organizations, including the American Nurses Association and the National League for Nursing.

For additional information about CGFNS and the VisaScreen^® program, contact: Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651 USA; telephone: (215) 349-8767; fax: (215) 349-0026.