New Testing Options for RN’s Seeking CGFNS or ICHP Certification
March 13, 2003

Without many temporary work visa options available to registered nurses, most R.N.’s seeking to enter or remain in the U.S. have had to proceed directly to the U.S. permanent residence (U.S. immigrant) option. And to commence the immigrant process, whether in the U.S. or abroad, the R.N. in most instances needs to have obtained a certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, also known as CGFNS. And for final processing to be completed , whether for an immigrant visa to be issued at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, or for an adjustment of status application to be approved for applicants in the U.S., the RN needs to present evidence of his/her “VisaScreen” certification.

Both certifications generally require RN’s to attain a minimum score on tests designed to measure, most notably, their ability to speak, read and write in the English language

In recent weeks, avenues for obtaining either CGFNS or VisaScreen certification have expanded, with new English language tests being deemed acceptable in satisfying certification requirements.

So now, in addition to the menu offered up by the Educational Testing Service- who to this point pretty much had a monopoly on the business with their administration of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Test of Written English (TWE) and the infamous Test of Spoken English (TSE), CGFNS will now accept test scores from either the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC – administered by the Chauncey Group) OR the International English Language Testing System (IELTS – administered by Cambridge ESOL Examinations, the British Council and IDP Education Australia). Importantly though, those taking the TOEIC will still need to take the TWE and TSE to satisfy CGFNS requirements, whereas those taking the IELTS do not need to take either the TWE or TSE.

The organizations chosen were deemed to meet the CGFNS’ high standards for English language skill evaluation, and hopefully, with these expanded options, applicants will find the certification process to be quicker and more efficient.

The organizations can be contacted at the following addresses:

TOEFL, TWE and TSE
Educational Testing Service
PO Box 6151
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151 USA
Tel. 609-771-7100
Email – [email protected]

The Chauncey Group International, Ltd.
644 Rosedale Road
Princeton, New Jersey 08540-2218 USA
Tel. 609-734-1550
Website: www.toeic-usa.com

IELTS Administrator
Cambridge Examinations and IELTS International
100 East Corson St., Suite 200
Pasadena, CA 91103 USA
Tel. 626-564-2954
Email – [email protected]
Website – www.ielts.org