• About the service,
  how to apply and fees

• Program requirements (PDF)
• About the English language
  proficiency exam
• 212(r) Certified Statement
• FAQ

English language proficiency exam for VisaScreen^®

About this requirement

The English language proficiency assessment confirms that the applicant demonstrates the required competency in oral and written English based on the applicant’s achievement of passing scores on tests jointly approved by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Applicants educated in specific countries where English is the native language and the textbook and instruction language (see below) are exempt from having to take an English proficiency exam.

Who does not need the exam

For you to be exempt from the English proficiency requirement for the VisaScreen^® Visa Credentials Assessment:

• Your entry-level professional education occurred in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada (except most of Quebec), New Zealand, Ireland or the United States.
• Your textbook and instruction language was in English.

Who needs to take the exam

If you do not meet the criteria above, you need to take one of the following groups of English language proficiency examinations. The testing organization forwards your score to CGFNS for evaluation.

• TOEFL^® (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and TWE (Test of Written English) or
• TOEFL^® iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test) measuring all four skills of communication: reading, writing, listening, and speaking or
• TOEIC^® (Test of English for International Communication) and the TWE or
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Academic Module for registered nurses, physician assistants, speech language pathologists, audiologists, clinical laboratory scientist (medical technologist); or general module for medical laboratory technicians (medical technicians) and licensed practical nurses
• Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists may take TOEFL^® iBT or TOEFL^® plus TWE; they must have taken both these exams.

The passing scores for the English language proficiency examinations are located in the VisaScreen^® Applicant Handbook and the VisaScreen^® Requirements.

Contact details for English language proficiency exam centers

Applicants apply directly to: