The Certification Program
Who is this service for?
The Certification Program is designed specifically for first-level, general nurses educated outside the United States who wish to practice nursing in the United States.
In order to be eligible, you must have completed sufficient classroom instruction and clinical practice in
If you have not completed a sufficient number of hours in each of the above areas, you will not be approved to take the CGFNS Qualifying Exam® until you complete them, through a government-approved nursing school. You must also hold an initial license/registration as a first-level, general nurse in your country of education, and currently hold a license/registration as a first-level, general nurse.
What does this service do?
It has three parts:
When successfully completed, applicants receive the CGFNS (Certification Program) certificate, which is required by many of U.S. states in order to take the NCLEX-RN®.
To qualify for the CGFNS Qualifying Exam®
If you intend to practice in the United States, you need to apply for the Certification Program and successfully complete a CREDENTIALS REVIEW.
The academic requirements are:
The licensure requirements are that you must hold an initial license/registration as a first-level, general nurse in your country of education, and currently hold a license/registration/diploma as a first-level, general nurse.
See more information about the CGFNS Qualifying Exam at www.cgfns.org/sections/programs/cp/cp-qe.shtml.
Earning the CGFNS (Certification Program) certificate assists registered nurses in three ways
How do I apply?
Beginning 1 January 2011, only online applications for the Certification Program will be accepted, and you will be required to submit an email address for correspondence.
Apply online Use the online application system to:
New users create an account here Returning users login here |
Download Certification Program Instructions and other forms The Application Instruction Handbook includes:
Download the Certification Program Application Instructions (PDF) (February 2011) Download the CGFNS Qualifying Exam® re-examination instructions (PDF) (February 2011) The Authorization to Release Information form and the Credit Card Form can be found at www.cgfns.org/sections/apply/forms.shtml |
What about immigration and visas?
CGFNS offers other services for health care professionals who are not U.S. Citizens, including VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment, administered by the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), a division of CGFNS.
U.S. immigration law now requires that registered nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, physician assistants, clinical laboratory technicians (medical technicians), clinical laboratory scientists (medical laboratory technologists), speech language pathologists, audiologists and licensed practical or vocational nurses complete a screening program to qualify for occupational visas or temporary, permanent (green card) visas and Trade NAFTA status. The VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment enables health care professionals to meet this requirement by verifying and evaluating their credentials to ensure that they meet the government’s minimum eligibility standards. VisaScreen® comprises an educational analysis, licensure validation, English language proficiency assessment and, for registered nurses, passing either the CGFNS Qualifying Exam® or the NCLEX-RN® to demonstrate nursing knowledge. Once the applicant successfully completes all elements of VisaScreen®, the applicant receives a VisaScreen® certificate, which can be presented, as part of a visa application, to a consular office or, in the case of adjustment of immigration status, to the U.S. Attorney General.
If you need a VisaScreen® certificate, please complete a VisaScreen® application. Information is located at https://www.cgfns.org/sections/programs/vs/default.shtml.
