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General Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is CGFNS International? CGFNS International is a non-profit, internationally recognized authority on credentials evaluation and verification pertaining to the education, registration and licensure of nurses and health care professionals worldwide. 2. 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 United States to practice nursing. U.S. immigration officials had a difficult time identifying which nurses who were educated abroad and 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, now known as CGFNS International. 3. 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®: Visa Credentials Assessment, which is a federally-approved screening program for foreign health care workers seeking occupational visas in the United States. 4. 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 that 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 health care professionals. 5. What is the mission of CGFNS International? The mission of CGFNS International is to provide expert credentials evaluation and professional development services to promote the health and safety of the public. CGFNS International focuses on four key objectives:
6. What is the vision of CGFNS International? CGFNS International’s missionis to serve the global community through credential programs that verify and promote the practice competency of migrating professionals. 7. 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 International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), a division of CGFNS International, administers VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment, a U.S. Federal Government approved screening program that is required of certain health care professionals, other than physicians, to qualify for an occupational visa. VisaScreen®includes an education analysis, licensure validation, English language proficiency assessment and for registered nurses, a test of nursing knowledge. This program enables health care professionals to meet the government’s minimum screening requirements. Applicants who successfully complete VisaScreen® receive an International Commission on Healthcare Professions VisaScreen® certificate. The Certification Program is designed specifically for first-level, general nurses educated outside the United States who wish to pursue a career in the United States as registered nurses. The program is comprised of three parts: 1) a credentials review of the nurse’s education, registration and licensure; 2) the CGFNS Qualifying Exam® that tests nursing knowledge; and 3) 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 applicants seeking licensure as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants in the state of New York must have their educational and licensure credentials verified by CGFNS International Credential Verification Service for New York State (CVS). Also, 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 health care professionals. In addition to the various services that CGFNS International and its divisions administer, CGFNS International offers numerous study aids, resource publications and products available for health care professionals. For more information about any of CGFNS International services or products, select CGFNS Services on the navigation menu above and select one of the programs from the drop down menu, email us by selecting Contact Us from the navigation menu above or contact the Customer Service Department by telephoning +1 (215) 222 8454. 8. 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 an email or a letter notifying the applicant about any documents that were received and any documentation that is still needed. Applicants may also check their status online at Apply Online with CGFNS Connect (or from the navigation menu above) and selecting Login – Check Your Status. 9. How do I request CGFNS International to forward copies of my academic records on my behalf? State the request in writing and specify 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 Web site. 10. What should I do if my school no longer has my transcripts? The applicant should determine whether there is another organization, such as a Ministry of Health or a national provincial licensing authority in their country of education that has taken possession of their academic records/transcripts. If there is such an organization, the applicant should request that their records/transcripts be sent to CGFNS International. 11. 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.
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. 13. Can I apply to take the TOEFL®, TOEFL® iBT, TOEIC® or IELTS exams through CGFNS? No. All applicants must have passing scores to meet program requirements for the specific CGFNS/ICHP service to which they have submitted an application. Registered nurses, clinical laboratory scientists, speech language pathologists, audiologists and physicians assistants must submit a minimum total score of 725 for TOEIC® or 540 on the paper-based test, or 207 on the computer-based test for TOEFL®, with 3.0 for TWE and 50 for TSE or a minimum total score of 83 with 26 on the spoken for TOEFL® iBT or a minimum overall score of 6.5 with 7.0 on the spoken for the academic module of IELTS. Physical therapists and occupational therapists must submit a minimum total score of 560 on the paper-based TOEFL® or 220 on the computer-based TOEFL®, with 4.5 for TWE and 50 for TSE, or a minimum total score of 89 with 26 on the spoken for TOEFL® iBT. Physical and occupational therapists cannot take TOEIC® or IELTS. Licensed practical nurses/vocational nurses and medical laboratory technicians must submit a minimum total score of 700 for TOEIC®, 530 on the paper-based TOEFL®, 197 on the computer-based TOEFL® with 4.0 for TWE and 50 for TSE, a minimum total score of 79 with 26 on the spoken for TOEFL® iBT or a minimum overall score of 6.0 and 7.0 on the spoken for either the general training or academic module of IELTS. No exceptions can be made for any of the test scores.
14. 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. 15. I am inquiring about health care 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 U.S. 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), because this organization provides assessment and testing services for internationally educated physicians seeking employment in the United States. Their Web site with all relevant contact information is http://www.ecfmg.org. You may be eligible for transfer credit into a nursing program at a U.S. college or university, however, please note that admission requirements will differ from institution to institution, and not all institutions or U.S. regulatory boards will accept credit from an international medical institution towards a U.S. nursing diploma/degree. You are advised to contact the U.S. Board of Nursing for the state where you wish to reside/practice in order to obtain:=
The Web site of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing at http://www.ncsbn.org provides a listing of all U.S. Boards of Nursing with appropriate contact information. You may also wish to contact the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants at www.nccpa.net for additional information and any possible opportunities in the United States in the health care field. 16. 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. 17. What kinds of study aids are available through CGFNS International? CGFNS International publishes a variety of study aids to assist foreign-educated health care professionals with the CGFNS 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 Qualifying Exam® and the NCLEX-RN® examination. Four complete practice tests, totaling more than 1,000 questions with answers and rationales for the correct and incorrect options, are included. For foreign health care 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 health care 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 compiled all of the above study materials into our CGFNS Premier Study Collection. For information on any of the study aids listed and for more CGFNS publications and products, logon to the CGFNS online store, https://www.cgfnsstore.org/. 18. How can I contact CGFNS International for more information? You can contact CGFNS International three ways:
19. Who do I contact for information on my ICD application? You can contact an ICD representative three ways:
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