The Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report® provides a detailed analysis of the credentials earned at multiple levels of nursing education received outside the United States. It includes a statement of comparability of a healthcare worker’s education when assessed against U.S. standards.
Who orders the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report?
Nurses use the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report® primarily to secure licensure and employment in the United States. It can also be used for specialty certification and by immigration attorneys.
Benefits of the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report®
As a highly trusted and industry-wide accepted report, the CES Professional Report® serves as a valuable tool for prospective employers and regulatory / licensing agencies to assess the competencies of foreign educated nurses and other healthcare workers. The report helps qualified nurses demonstrate the merits of their credentials, facilitating their pursuit of professional opportunities in the United States.
See which State Boards of Nursing require CES Professional Report®
Secondary School Information
A secondary school diploma or an external exam certificate showing the highest level of secondary education received. Secondary school (high school) is a school intermediate between elementary (primary school) school and university, usually offering general, technical, vocational, or university-preparatory courses.
All documents must be in English. Secondary diplomas can be translated by an applicant or someone chosen by an applicant.
Licenses / Registrations / Diplomas
CGFNS validates all licenses, registrations, and diplomas obtained by an applicant for a Credentials Evaluation Service Professional Report®. The CES Professional Report® verifies the validity of all licenses, registrations, and diplomas, including:
- Licenses, registrations, and diplomas that are currently held or that have been held in the past from all non-U.S. jurisdictions.
Please note that licenses, registrations, and diplomas for professions unrelated to the profession for which an applicant is seeking a CES Professional Report® do NOT need to be submitted. Additionally, CGFNS and State Boards of Nursing require license validations to be current (the signature of the validation authority must be dated within the last three years).
Note: Some State Boards require license validation dated within 9 months of report issuance.
Professional Education Information
A complete academic record or transcript from each educational institution attended for the profession being evaluated.
These documents must be in English and must be translated by an official registered translator. CGFNS can translate documents for an additional fee.
NOTE: CGFNS does not accept the at-home versions of English Language Proficiency exams.
Certain states in the United States require an English Language Proficiency Report be attached to the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report®, please refer to our Select Service by State page to determine the requirements for your state. If you apply for a Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report® for a state that requires the English Language Proficiency Report AND you are not eligible for exemption from taking an English language proficiency examination (see below), you are required to submit scores from an acceptable English language proficiency exam before your CES Professional Report® will be issued by CGFNS to a specific state board of nursing. All test scores must be sent directly to CGFNS from an ELP testing agency.
The CES Professional Report® confirms English language proficiency (both oral and written) based on passing scores* from:
- Cambridge English (B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency exams)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- MET (Michigan English Test)
- OET (Occupational English Test)
- Pearson PTE Academic
- TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-based Test)
- TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
Please note that state boards of nursing have their own required passing scores, please contact the state board where you wish to be licensed for up-to-date score requirements.
English language proficiency examination score requirements for the CES Professional Report®
Basic requirements:
- Passing scores are recommended to be less than 2 years old.**
- All passing scores must be sent directly to CGFNS from an ELP testing agency.
In some circumstances, an applicant may be exempt from taking an English language proficiency examination.
Exemption due to English-based professional education:
- Please note that state boards of nursing have their own requirements for country of education where entry level professional education must have occurred. Please refer to our select your service by state page for requirements in the state where you wish to be licensed.
*CGFNS also offers the forwarding of ELP scores for an additional fee. The scores will not be vetted to determine if they meet the Board of Nursing requirements.
**Some boards of nursing accept passing scores older than 2 years, please check with your state board to confirm.
