CGFNS Updates: CP Qualifying Exam Testing and Additional English Tests for VisaScreen

(Estimated reading time: 4 minutes)

CGFNS International has confirmed that international nurses and other Bachelor of Science level health care workers now have the option to take the Cambridge, MET, OET, PTE, and TOEIC for their English Language Proficiency Exam to qualify for US VisaScreen! 

Those applicants considering taking the TOEFL or IELTS English language exams may have read the news in the last few days that caused them to pause and consider canceling their test dates. Mukul Bakhshi, Esq. the CGFNS International’s Chief of Strategy and Government Affairs, said that effective August 1, 2022, CGFNS will accept English tests other than the IELTS and TOEFL. 

As you may imagine, this significantly impacted nurses working on their VisaScreen worldwide. So, what does this mean if you’re getting ready for your TOEFL or IELTS English language exam?

This doesn’t cause a massive impact of change as you expected. According to CGFNS, the new exam catalog does not affect individual state board nursing standards. So, for example, if you’re moving to Ohio, you’ll still need to pass the TOEFL exam before you can start working there.

Furthermore, even states under CGFNS jurisdictions that opt to accept OET or Pearson tests, CGFNS will not accept them for CES at this time. So don’t cancel your TOEFL or IELTS testing appointments just yet.

CGFNS Certification Program 

The CGFNS Certification Program (CP) has three (3) significant components an applicant must meet to qualify. They are the following: 

1. High School education credentials evaluation; completion of a nursing program; and nursing license verification.
2. The CGFNS International-Qualifying Examination
3. The evidence of passing one of the approved English Language Proficiency examinations
   • • TOEFL iBT – 81 overall scores; a minimum of 57 on Reading, Listening, and Writing; and 24 on Speaking.
   • • IELTS Academic – 6.5 academics with a minimum of 7 on Speaking

Benefits of the Certification Program

The CGFNS Certification Program is either needed or accepted as a prerequisite for approval to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Moreover, the NCLEX-RN exam is necessary to obtain nursing licensure in Canada and the United States. Approximately two-thirds of the US state boards of nursing need the CGFNS Certification Program as a requirement. 

Furthermore, the CGFNS Qualifying Exam, a component of the Certification Program, will fulfill the VisaScreen Visa Credentials Assessment’s Nursing Knowledge requirement for immigration.

Change in CP Qualifying Exam Testing to Meet AA Standards

The Certification Program change allows applicants to get Qualifying Exam scores earlier for Visascreen or other purposes. 

• • Applicants for the Certification Program (CP) will schedule the exam of their choice when making a purchase or applying for the program.
• • They should apply at the time that will get them in the correct testing window.
• • The ATT letter will go out for all applicants within five days of the registration period ending.
• • Document submission and evaluation will happen concurrently with the Qualifying Exam.

Pick Your Date of Examination

The CGFNS Qualifying Exam is administered at four annual one-week testing sessions at Kryterion testing centers. The following are the testing windows for 2022:

• • March 14 to March 18, 2022
• • July 11 to July 15, 2022
• • September 12 to September 16, 2022
• • November 14 to November 18, 2022

Additional English Tests for VisaScreen

CGFNS announced that they would accept additional English Language Proficiency Tests for Visascreen.  So now, the candidates have more choices. They are the following:  

• • Cambridge Assessment English – With Scale 176 overall and 185 Speaking
• • Michigan English Test (MET) – With an Overall Score of 55; a minimum Speaking Section Score of 55
• • Occupational English Test (OET) – With OET Grade C+ for Reading, Writing, and Listening
• • Pearson Vue Test of English (PTE) Academic – With 55, no section below 50
• • TOEFL Paper- Delivered Test – With an Overall score of 540
• • TOEIC (Listening and Reading) – with an Overall score of 725
• • TOEIC (Speaking and Writing) – 160 and 150 for Speaking and Writing, respectively

Final Thoughts

The Certification Program includes a first-level Qualifying Exam for the CGFNS general nurses. Additionally, nursing education, registration, and credentials evaluation of secondary students. Lastly, the demonstration of passing one of the accepted English language proficiency exams.

IPASS Processing aims to make your journey to the United States as smooth as possible so you may start your life and career as soon as you arrive. Therefore, we will continue encouraging you to take the TOEFL or IELTS English language tests while observing individual state standards. IPASS Processing provides hassle-free assistance for the NCLEX application, CGFNS Qualifying exam application, and the VisaScreen application. If you want a stress-free and smooth application on these procedures, contact us today. 

Disclaimer: IPASS Processing is not a recruitment agency. We do not hire or deploy medical professionals abroad. IPASS Processing is a processing agency that provides license exam application assistance in the United States, the Middle East, and Australia.