cali english requirement for foreign nurses?

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ei guys what engish test requirement does california BON require for foreign born nurses? Is it toefl ibt or ielts?

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Specializes in Med-Surg,OPD ER,School/Clinic,Teaching.
ei guys what engish test requirement does california BON require for foreign born nurses? Is it toefl ibt or ielts?

TOEFL if you want to avail of the one-time limited/temporary license(optional).

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CA does not have a language requirement, but US immigration does.

If you are taking the NCLEX and then endorsing, you will not qualify for the interim permit.

TOEFL is if you are going for the Interim Permit, meaning that you meet all requirements but have not written the NCLEX exam. That also requires that you have passed the local license in your country.

Temporary license is issued when you have taken the exam, but they do not have the transcripts from your school, as an example.

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CA does not have a language requirement, but US immigration does.

If you are taking the NCLEX and then endorsing, you will not qualify for the interim permit.

As I was browsing a while ago in the CA BON, I saw that they do require the foreign nurse to pass TOEFL. Suzzanne, I dont want to be rude but may i just ask you where did u get this info? could you please send me the link regarding this one because as far as i know, this rule does not exist. tnx..:confused:

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
As I was browsing a while ago in the CA BON, I saw that they do require the foreign nurse to pass TOEFL. Suzzanne, I dont want to be rude but may i just ask you where did u get this info? could you please send me the link regarding this one because as far as i know, this rule does not exist. tnx..:confused:

all I could find was this which states only required for interim permit link http://www.rn.ca.gov/lic/lic-faqs.htm#13

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.
As I was browsing a while ago in the CA BON, I saw that they do require the foreign nurse to pass TOEFL. Suzzanne, I dont want to be rude but may i just ask you where did u get this info? could you please send me the link regarding this one because as far as i know, this rule does not exist. tnx..:confused:

If you are applying for an Interim Permit, Toefl is required. but if you are applying for a state license, toefl is not required.

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If you are taking the NCLEX and then endorsing, you will not qualify for the interim permit.

I just want to correct this one. If my memory serves me right, an RN who is licensed from another state could apply for endorsement in California and is qualified to apply for an interim permit as long as he obtains all the requirements needed. If this is incorrect, pls send me a link which says it otherwise

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I just want to correct this one. If my memory serves me right, an RN who is licensed from another state could apply for endorsement in California and is qualified to apply for an interim permit as long as he obtains all the requirements needed. If this is incorrect, pls send me a link which says it otherwise

Wrong, your memory is not serving you correctly. Once you have passed the NCLEX exam for any state, you do not qualify for the interim permit. That is only available if you have not taken the NCLEX exam. You would be applying for a permanent license, and may receive the temporary work permit while they are waiting for a final document.

And you must also have a visa that will permit you to work, having only a license does not give you that right. And to get a visa that permits you to work, requires that you have passed either the NCLEX-RN exam or the CGFNS exam, and the English exams in order to get a Visa Screen Certificate for immigration. So unless, you have written the CGFNS exam, you would not be able to work in the US on an interim permit.

You are looking for loopholes to make things easy for you and they do not exist. If you do not follow the rules that are in place, it will turn and bite you on the backside.

I do not need to provide you with a link, you need to read and understand what is posted on the CA website. It is there in black and white.

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Agree w/ everyone. The Interim Permit (IP) are only for those who haven't passed the NCLEX yet and once a nurse has passed the exam it is automatically unavailable as you do not need it anymore.

There is no English Exam requirement for CA if applying for Licensure (Initial or through Endorsement). Many have gone through Initial Licensure for CA BRN and English exam is not required by them, except if applying for IP.

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Please do note that majority of members here wants to help you out and majority of us has gone through the process already. Some are in the US already (such as Rep) and Suzanne have so much experience regarding this subject matter. So you have all the reliable and knowledgeable resources around in regards to International nursing.

We have heard so many stories already about what foreign-educated nurses do and what happens to them if they get caught.

There are those that go to the US w/ a tourist visa and has only started the application process from their not knowing that 6 mos. is not enough and is forced to go back home. There are those that go back right way after 1 month stay in the Phils. to be interrogated by the immigration officers at the port of entry for suspicion of conducting business transactions or any other reasons other than 'touring'. There are even those that are denied entry right there and there and sent back home immediately by immigration officers.

There are also those that had no intention to overstay but since they miscalculated on when he can file for AOS (no retrogression) they were forced to overstay and find work (under the table) as their estimated funds has run dry. Even those who already have their ATT when they successfully landed on US soil aren't spared from troubles if they fail their NCLEX on the 1st try as failing would mean waiting for an extra 60-90 days before a BON can allow a nurse to re-take and less than half of foreign nurses pass on their 1st try as well.

There are so many stories.. There are even those already working in the US legally for months-years via the EAD but their AOS were ultimately denied after USCIS has reviewed their file and interviewed the nurse because their lawyer filed it in less than 60 days of stay in the US (strong presumption of intent to migrate at time of filing for AOS rather than just visit). They are of course sent home.

And all of the above are during good times when there is no retrogression.

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ok i can not apply for an interim permit but can i have my NM license endorsed to CA if i complete all of the requirements needed?

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ok i can not apply for an interim permit but can i have my NM license endorsed to CA if i complete all of the requirements needed?

Yes, of course.

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