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General Frequently Asked Questions
Who is CGFNS International? The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International) is a non-profit, internationally recognized authority on credentials evaluation and verification pertaining to the education, registration and licensure of nurses and healthcare professionals worldwide. Why was CGFNS created? During the late 1960s, the United States experienced a marked increase in the number of foreign-educated nurses migrating to the U.S. to practice nursing. U.S. immigration officials had a difficult time identifying which nurses educated abroad, who were applying for occupational visas, met the requirements for licensure as registered nurses in the United States. The reality was that only a small percentage (about 15-20%) of foreign-educated nurses were passing the U.S. registered nurses licensing exam on their first attempt. After several government-funded studies and conferences were held on the issue of foreign-educated nurses seeking to practice in the United States, in 1977 the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the National League for Nursing (NLN) agreed to co-sponsor the establishment of a private, independent, non-profit organization as called for in one of the studies. The organization that was created was the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). Who is ICHP? The International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP) is a division of CGFNS International. CGFNS launched ICHP in 1996 to administer its VisaScreen program, which is a federally-approved screening program for foreign healthcare workers seeking occupational visas in the United States. Who is ICD? The International Consultants of Delaware (ICD), a division of CGFNS since 2000, is recognized nationally, as well as globally, as an expert in the field of international education. Established in 1977, ICD is a credentialing agency which evaluates international educational documents and provides their U.S. equivalents. These equivalents are used to assist individuals in obtaining additional education, employment and immigration visas for any career field, as well as licensing and certification for healthcare professionals. What is the mission of CGFNS International? The CGFNS International mission is to protect the public by assuring the integrity of the health professional credentials in the context of global migration. The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International) was established as a not-for-profit, immigration neutral organization with a commitment to protect the public by ensuring that nurses educated in countries other than the United States (U.S.) are eligible and qualified to meet licensure, immigration and other practice requirements in the U.S. Throughout its history, CGFNS International has demonstrated its commitment to excellence and quality in the healthcare arena and to fostering equitable treatment of healthcare professionals. The CGFNS International goal is to provide leadership in healthcare education, registration and licensure to the global nursing and professional healthcare communities. CGFNS International protects the public in relation to evolving healthcare policies and standards of professional practice for migrating healthcare professionals. CGFNS International provides products and services that validate credentials and enhance international regulatory and educational standards for healthcare professionals. What is the vision of CGFNS International? The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International) is a global healthcare information organization recognized for expertise in credentials evaluation and certification; collaboration in policy and standards development; and consultation on the education, labor markets and migration of healthcare professionals. How can CGFNS International help me? CGFNS International administers the Certification Program, the Credentials Evaluation Service, and the Credential Verification Service for New York State, which may be prerequisites for licensure in the United States. The Certification Program (CP) is designed specifically for first-level, general nurses educated outside the United States who wish to pursue a career in the U.S. as registered nurses. The program is comprised of three parts: a credentials review of the nurse 's education, registration and licensure; the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam testing nursing knowledge; and an English language proficiency exam. After successfully completing all three parts of the Certification Program, an applicant is awarded a CGFNS Certificate. The Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) analyzes international credentials in terms of how they compare with U.S. standards. This objective evaluation carefully assesses documents received from source agencies, verifying and appraising an applicant's educational and registration/licensure credentials. The resulting report serves as a valuable tool for regulatory/licensing agencies, specialty certification authorities, academic institutions, immigration attorneys, prospective employers and others. The state of New York requires that if you are applying for licensure as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, physical therapist, physical therapy assistant, occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in the state of New York, you must have your educational and licensure credentials verified by CGFNS International Credential Verification Service for New York State (CVS). The International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), another division of CGFNS, administers VisaScreen: Visa Credentials Assessment. U.S. immigration law now requires that healthcare professionals, other than physicians, complete a screening program in order to qualify for certain occupational visas. VisaScreen enables healthcare professionals to meet this requirement by verifying and evaluating their credentials to ensure that they meet the government's minimum eligibility standards. Applicants who successfully complete VisaScreen receive a VisaScreen Certificate. The International Consultants of Delaware (ICD) is the newest division of CGFNS International added in 2000. Established in 1977, ICD is a credentialing agency that evaluates foreign educational documents and provides their U.S. equivalents. These equivalents are used to assist individuals in obtaining additional education, employment and immigration visas, as well as licensing and certification for healthcare professionals. In addition to the various services that CGFNS International and its divisions administer, CGFNS International offers numerous study aides, resource publications, and products available for healthcare professionals. For more information about any of CGFNS International services or products, log onto the CGFNS web site, 24 hours a day, at www.cgfns.org, or contact the Customer Service Department with any questions. How will I know if my school(s) and registration authority(ies) have sent my credentials to CGFNS International? Upon receipt of each document, CGFNS International will send a letter to the applicant notifying the applicant of the documents that were received and any documentation that is still needed. Applicants may also check their status online through the CGFNS website: www.cgfns.org. How do I request CGFNS International to forward copies of my academic records on my behalf? In writing, state the request, and to whom the documentation should be sent. Include the applicant's CGFNS ID Number, name, birth date, signature and the appropriate fee. These types of requests can also be ordered online through the CGFNS website. What should I do if my school no longer has my transcripts? The applicant should determine if there is another organization (Ministry of Health, State Board of Nursing, etc.) which has taken possession of their academic records. If there is such an organization, the applicant may request them to send your documents. If the applicant is uncertain about where to go, contact the CGFNS International Customer Service Department for assistance. Can CGFNS International give any "consideration" when the English score is only one point away from passing? No. All applicants are required to submit a passing score on either the TOEFL, TOEFL iBT, TWE and TSE; or the IELTS. For the TOEFL, TOEFL iBT, TWE and TSE, registered nurses must submit a score of 540 on the written TOEFL or 207 on the computer-based TOEFL, 83 on TOEFL iBT, 4.0 on the TWE and 50 on the TSE. The TOEIC minimum score for nurses is 725. The IELTS minimum score is 6.5 for academic and 7.0 for spoken. Physical and occupational therapists must submit a score of 560 on the written TOEFL or 220 on the computer-based TOEFL, 4.5 on the TWE and 50 on the TSE. Physical and occupational therapists cannot take TOEIC or IELTS. No exceptions can be made on any of the scores. Does CGFNS International publish the requirements of all the state boards of nursing? No. Applicants should inquire directly to the state in which they are interested in practicing to determine the requirements for licensure in that state. Can I apply to take the TOEFL, TOEFL iBT, TOEIC or IELTS exams through CGFNS? No. Applicants must apply directly to the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to take the TOEFL, TOEFL iBT, TOEIC, TWE and TSE; or IELTS International. For information or an application, contact: TOEFL, TWE, TSE and TOEFL iBT TOEIC Testing Program IELTS What should I do if my credentials do not meet the requirements of the CGFNS International service I am applying to? Depending on what part of the application was deficient, CGFNS International might be able to provide information on how to rectify the deficiency. I am inquiring about healthcare opportunities, specifically as a RN or LPN/LVN, available to me as a medical doctor. Please be advised that as you were not formally educated and trained as a nurse, you are not eligible to legally work as a nurse in the United States until you complete a nursing program at a government-approved school of nursing or US accredited academic institution. At this time, you are also not eligible for any evaluation or certification programs offered by CGFNS International. You may wish to contact the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), as this organization provides assessment and testing services for internationally-educated physicians seeking employment in the United States. Their website with all relevant contact information is http://www.ecfmg.org/. You may be eligible for transfer credit into a nursing program at a US college or university; however, please note that admission requirements will differ from institution to institution, and not all institutions or US regulatory boards will accept credit from an international medical institution towards a US nursing diploma/degree. You are advised to contact the US Board of Nursing in the state where you wish to reside/practice in order to obtain:
The website of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (http://www.ncsbn.org/) provides a listing of all US Boards of Nursing with appropriate contact information. You may also wish to contact the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (http://www.nccpa.net/) for additional information and any possible opportunities in the United States in the healthcare field. What should I do if my transcripts and/or registrations/licenses are in a language other than English? Transcripts and registrations/licenses not in English, need to be accompanied by a word-for-word English translation directly from the schools and registration authorities. Translations should also include a Certification of Accuracy (please see instructions on the application). If the school or registration authority cannot provide word-for-word translations, CGFNS International can provide this service to the applicant for a fee. What kinds of study aides are available through CGFNS International? CGFNS International publishes a variety of study aides to assist foreign-educated healthcare professionals with the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam, the NCLEX-RN® examination and English language proficiency examinations. The Official Study Guide for the CGFNS Qualifying Exam, 5th Edition will help foreign-educated nurses by providing important tips and information about the CGFNS International Certification Program and preparing them for both the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam and the NCLEX-RN® examination. Four complete practice tests, totaling more than 1000 questions, with answers and rationales for the correct and incorrect options are included. For foreign healthcare workers who may be unfamiliar with multiple-choice testing, CGFNS publishes two "How To" books: How to Study: Preparing for the CGFNS Qualifying Exam and the NCLEX-RN® examination and How to Take Tests: Strategies for the CGFNS Qualifying Exam and the NCLEX-RN® examination. For foreign healthcare professionals who need to improve or review English-language and listening comprehension skills, CGFNS International publishes the Practice English CDs and Booklets — Series 1 and 2. Also, in response to popular demand, CGFNS International has pulled together all of the above study materials into our CGFNS Premier Study Collection. For information on any of the study aides listed and for more CGFNS publications and products, log onto the CGFNS online store at https://www.cgfnsstore.org/. How can I contact CGFNS International for more information? You can contact CGFNS International by mail: CGFNS International, 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651 USA; by phone: (215) 349-8767 Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (ET) or Friday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (ET); by e-mail through the contact us form on the CGFNS International website: www.cgfns.org. Who do I contact for information on my ICD application? You can contact an ICD representative by mail: International Consultants of Delaware, 3600 Market Street, Suite 450 Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651 USA ; by phone: (215) 222-8454, ext.510 Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (ET); by e-mail: icd@icdel.com; or the ICD web site at: http://www.icdel.com/. |
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