These steps are a general overview for how a foreign educated nurse can work in the U.S., but some aspects of your journey may differ from this basic outline.
As a foreign-educated nurse seeking to work in the United States, make sure you follow U.S. federal immigration law and that you meet the basic educational and/or professional requirements:
Immigration
In order to legally migrate to the United States, you must meet federal requirements listed in full here.
You will need to obtain a Registered Nurse Immigrant Visa (“Green Card”) or H-1B visa.
- U.S. law requires nurses to complete a screening program before they can receive an occupational visa.
- CGFNS is approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to validate the credentials of nine foreign healthcare professions for occupational visas, including registered nurses.
- Completing CGFNS’ VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment Service will satisfy the screening program requirement.
- You will need a “U.S.-based employer” that will serve as the petitioner for your visa. Your VisaScreen® certificate must be included on every visa or green card petition filed on your behalf.
- Read more about VisaScreen.
Educational / Professional
In order to seek work as a foreign-educated nurse, you must demonstrate at least some of the following:
- You graduated from an accredited nursing education program in your country of education
- You are licensed as a Registered Nurse in another country
- You’ve practiced as a Registered Nurse for at least two years before.
- Some foreign educated nurses must demonstrate their proficiency with the English language by taking an exam. There are exemptions depending on your country of origin.
State Boards of Nursing require that you first apply to CGFNS International, Inc. to have your academic and professional credentials evaluated to ensure that your documents are authentic and that what you’ve learned is comparable to U.S. nursing standards. You may also be required to take the CGFNS Qualifying Exam® to satisfy State Board requirements, to satisfy immigration requirements for obtaining an occupational visa, and to determine your readiness for a licensure exam.
Find out what CGFNS program you need. Apply to CGFNS.
In order to practice nursing in the United States, you will need to have a professional license from the state where you plan to work. Registered Nurse licenses are regulated by State Boards of Nursing with varying requirements.
You will likely need to pass a licensure exam to be registered as a nurse by your state board. Before taking the licensure exam, first-level, general nurses educated outside the U.S. may choose to apply to the CGFNS Certification Program®, which consists of:
- a credentials evaluation
- the CGFNS Qualifying Exam®, and
- an English language proficiency component.
The CGFNS Qualifying Exam® is a requirement by some state boards before you can sit for the NCLEX-RN, but it serves as an excellent predictor for how any nurse will do on that exam. Taking the Qualifying Exam may help gauge your readiness before committing to the licensure exam.
The Qualifying Exam also fulfills the U.S. federal government’s screening requirement for an occupational visa.
View the requirements for the board of nursing in the state where you seek to practice >>
After you meet all federal immigration requirements, have had your credentials evaluated by CGFNS, you meet your State Board of Nursing requirements, and you have passed a licensure exam, you are ready to begin working as a registered nurse in the United States!
While it’s not required, you may choose to work with a nursing recruiter to help you find a registered nurse job. These recruiters can also act as your “U.S.-based employer” for your immigrant visa.
Check to see if your recruiter uses ethical recruiting standards by looking for the Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices Certified Ethical Recruiter seal on their website:
>>View CGFNS Alliance Certified Recruiters List>>
Questions or concerns about your recruitment process? Contact CGFNS’ Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices.
Read the Alliance’s Health Care Code for Ethical International Recruitment and Employment Practices here.
