For Ms. Suzanne and anyone who are applying for Illinois..pls help.

kingof heart · Jun 1, 2006

hi cathykaye! i don't think so if that is really the case because no one in his/her sound mind will take two exams IELTS for the visa screen while TOEFL-IBT for the IL(BON). This TOEFL exams is stated only at IDFPR not thru IL (BON). Anyway, this matter should be addressed directly to the Illinois Board of Nursing inorder to clarify matters (if which is which) TOEFL , IELTS or both are now okay! (I hope so) Grrrrrrr!!!

kiko88 · Jun 1, 2006

hi cathykaye! i don't think so if that is really the case because no one in his/her sound mind will take two exams ielts for the visa screen while toefl-ibt for the il(bon). this toefl exams is stated only at idfpr not thru il (bon). anyway, this matter should be addressed directly to the illinois board of nursing inorder to clarify matters (if which is which) toefl , ielts or both are now okay! (i hope so) grrrrrrr!!!
it's me king!

after you get that info/confirmation directly from il, please share it with us here. we will all appreciate it. hoping to hear from you soon.

precy · Jun 1, 2006

hi cathykaye! i don't think so if that is really the case because no one in his/her sound mind will take two exams IELTS for the visa screen while TOEFL-IBT for the IL(BON). This TOEFL exams is stated only at IDFPR not thru IL (BON). Anyway, this matter should be addressed directly to the Illinois Board of Nursing inorder to clarify matters (if which is which) TOEFL , IELTS or both are now okay! (I hope so) Grrrrrrr!!!
It's me KING!

You can take toefl to comply with IL nclex requirement.....then take ielts for VisaScreen.....I am referring to toefl CBT. But if you passed toefl IBT(which includes TSE), there's really no point of taking ielts again.

kingof heart · Jun 2, 2006

Hi precy, you know i can't really understand why the rest of us keep on telling us that its TOEFL only regarding the english exams acceptable in IL.You know not only in this thread that i keep on stressing regarding other nurses who took IELTS but now working already in some hospitals in IL. If IDFPR is strictly imposing the TOEFL requirement only, how come others do it otherwise? To tell you frankly, my contract is bound for IL, and I only took IELTS, PERIOD! Anyway, I will just inform you latter through this forum , if the facility will somehow require me to take again another english exams particularly TOEFL. (I don't think so they will do that! otherwise, my contact lawyer in IL. is suppose to inform me already long before so that I can take it here in the Phil. before I leave).

suzanne4, RN · Jun 2, 2006

If Illionis states that they only accept TOEFL, then that is what it is. If someone managed to slip around the requirement, that is another story. But currently they accept only TOEFL. That is not to say that tomorrow they will not change it.

Many nurses actually took the TOEFL exam when they were in school. It is only the TOEFL exam, it is not the speaking or writing sections, just basic TOEFL. If you already speak English, it is not a big deal.

But the most important thing that I can add; when wanting to work in the US, you need to comply with the rules that they make and want. They are there for a reason. If you are starting to refuse now, that is not the attitude that you want to have and will cause you great issues when you arrive here.

kingof heart · Jun 2, 2006

Thanks, Suzanne! everthing you have said is 'well-taken'.

nursecpa · Jun 4, 2006

If u read the Governor's memo, English test (toefl) is no longer a requirement as long as ur school can certify that the medium of instruction and books used were in English. The Illinois Application form (green form) for examination is rather outdated and more directed to graduated of US. The license verification form cnt be used by international graduates because it refers only to NCLEX (RN or PN) license. Now, read carefully first the forms and instructions before arguing with me. Been there, done that

kiko88 · Jun 4, 2006

if u read the governor's memo, english test (toefl) is no longer a requirement as long as ur school can certify that the medium of instruction and books used were in english. the illinois application form (green form) for examination is rather outdated and more directed to graduated of us. the license verification form cnt be used by international graduates because it refers only to nclex (rn or pn) license. now, read carefully first the forms and instructions before arguing with me. been there, done that

hi! interesting info you have there. i also noticed that portion of the memo from the governor which says:

"you do not need to take the toefl if you submit verification of the successful completion of a nursing education program conducted in english."

but, as you mentioned too, the form seems to be outdated as it does not mention this exception to the toefl requirement.

so, did you use this exception for your il application? how did it go? so, a certification from the dean/registrar will work? this is similar to vermont bon's verification form on the use of english as the medium of instruction, isn't it?.

and, as to the il license verification form, you think there is no need to send it to prc as it applies only to us school graduates (international graduates are covered already by the ces report which includes a license validation form)?

hoping for your reply soon. thank you.

kathykaye · Jun 4, 2006

if u read the governor's memo, english test (toefl) is no longer a requirement as long as ur school can certify that the medium of instruction and books used were in english. the illinois application form (green form) for examination is rather outdated and more directed to graduated of us. the license verification form cnt be used by international graduates because it refers only to nclex (rn or pn) license. now, read carefully first the forms and instructions before arguing with me. been there, done that

that's not right..

additionally, if your first language is not english, you shall be required to

submit certification of passage of the test of english as a foreign language

(toefl). the minimum passing score on the paper-based test is 560. the

minimum passing score on the computer-based test is 220. the minimum

passing score on the internet-based test is 83.

toefl scores previously considered as "passing" scores will be accepted

for a period of two years from the date of passage.

is english your first language? :nono:

http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/apply/forms/rn-ex.pdf

packet updated 5/10/06

kathykaye · Jun 4, 2006

if you have a license here in the philippines, you still need to disclose that information; so send the CT-NUR form to PRC.. and they will forward it to CTS...

if you dont have a license, then you dont have to..

suzanne4, RN · Jun 4, 2006

English exams are still required for immigration purposes in the US. And even if your training is in the Philippines. There has been issue with nurses from there not passing the speaking part of the exams, and we see it here all of the time. It is definitely not waived.

The speaking section is what gets the nurses, the TOEFL is quite easy for most of you to pass right away, and is not a big deal.

It is up to the individual state in the US to set their own requirements for licensure, and each state is free to do as they wish. It is not up to any official outside of the US to make that decision. And if you decide to use that route, you will be waiting an extra long time for a waiver on that, much faster always to just get done what they want. Ot you need to wait until the board has a special meeting to give its approval, and those are not frequent.

Your choice on what to do, but it is always much faster to go with what is asked, thenb trying to ask for an exemption. And so far, nursies that graduated from the Philippines do not have their English exams waived, as a rule.

nursecpa · Jun 6, 2006

Just send an email to Illinois Board. But when you do, quote the Governor's memo. They do answer queries real fast. As regards the License verification form, I was told not to submit it anymore because it's for US license. Only their word is final.