Glossary: English language proficiency
English language proficiency
Demonstration of the required competency in oral and written English based on passing tests jointly approved by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Demonstration of English language proficiency, as measured by objective, commercially available tests, is required for the CGFNS Certification Program and the VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment. Individuals educated in specific countries where English is the primary language and the textbook and instruction language are exempt from having to take an English proficiency exam.
ETS (Educational Testing Service)
ETS develops, administers and scores English language proficiency tests – including the TOEFL® and TOEIC® tests in more than 180 countries, at more than 9,000 locations worldwide.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Approved English language proficiency test for the CGFNS Certification Program and VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment. IELTS tests all four English language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. The speaking test is a face-to-face interview with a certified examiner. IELTS is available in two test formats: academic and general training. First-level nurses are required to take the academic module. Second-level nurses are required to take the general training module.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Test that measures an individual’s ability to use and understand English at the university level. TOEFL evaluates how well an individual combines listening, reading, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks. There are two formats for the TOEFL test. The format you take depends on the location of your test center. Most test takers take the Internet-based test (iBT). Test centers that do not have Internet access offer the paper-based test (PBT). TOEFL PBT and TOEFL iBT are approved as an English language proficiency exam for the CGFNS Certification Program. TOEFL iBT is approved for the VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment.
TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
Test that measures the ability of non-native English-speaking individuals to use English in everyday workplace activities. This test contains only two parts: listening and reading. The TOEIC listening and reading test is approved as an English language proficiency test for the CGFNS Certification Program.
