The Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report provides a detailed analysis of nursing credentials earned outside the United States. For this report, CGFNS validates and authenticates all licenses, registrations, and diplomas obtained by an applicant. It also includes a statement of comparability of an applicant’s nursing education assessed against U.S. nursing standards.
Who orders the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report?
Nurses use the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report to facilitate their 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
Highly trusted and widely accepted in the healthcare industry, the CES Professional Report serves as a valuable tool for prospective employers and regulatory / licensing agencies to assess the competencies of foreign-educated nurses. This report demonstrates the merits of a foreign nurse’s credentials in their pursuit of professional opportunities in the U.S.
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 intermediate between elementary (primary) school and university, usually offering general, technical, vocational, or university-preparatory courses.
All documents must be in English. Secondary school diplomas can be translated by an applicant or someone chosen by an applicant. If you are unavailable to provide an English translation, then CGFNS can translate documents for an additional fee.
Licenses / Registrations / University Diplomas
The CES Professional Report verifies the validity of all relevant licenses, registrations, and university diplomas that an applicant has received, including both those that are currently held or formally held in any non-U.S. jurisdiction. These documents must be sent directly to CGFNS from the issuing authority. 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).*
Please note that non-nursing licenses, registrations, and university diplomas do NOT need to be submitted. *Note: Some state boards in the U.S. require license validation dated within nine (9) months prior to report issuance.
Professional education information
In addition to a diploma, CGFNS will need to receive a complete academic record or transcript directly from each educational institution attended for the nursing profession being evaluated.
These documents must be in English and translated by the educational institution(s) that the applicant has attended/completed. If the educational institution(s) is unavailable to provide an English translation, then 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 U.S. 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 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 approved English language proficiency (ELP) testing agency 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 the following approved tests:
- 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 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. CGFNS will communicate this exemption to the applicant directly.
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 nursing education must have occurred (this may also include the language of instruction and clinical practice). Please refer to our select your service by state page for requirements in the state where you wish to be licensed.
*Some boards of nursing accept passing scores older than 2 years, please check with your state board to confirm. 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.
