Is CGFNS exam still required despite being Foreign RN living in US?

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I'm a foreign RN (graduated in the Philippines) and now a permanent resident currently living in Wisconsin. I've enrolled for a CP (Certification Program) under CGFNS and I've been scheduled for a CGFNS exam on November. From what I understand, CP means taking the CGFNS exam and an English proficiently test (IELTS/TOEFL) in order to obtain a CGFNS certificate.

Is there any way I can bypass the English exam since I'm already living here in Wisconsin? I've been trying to get in touch with the DSPS but I've been just passed around and ended up leaving useless voice mails. Who's going to decide about the bypassing of English test, the BON or the CGFNS (since they're the one issuing the certificate in the first place)?

Also, to utilize my waiting time for all of these nursing stuff, I've applied to DSPS for a CNA certification. I've contacted the Pearson Vue about the eligibility route which means DSPS just has to check and verify my RN license so I can take the CNA certification exam.

Please leave a comment down below about anything you know about this issue.

Thank you so much.

English if required by the state has to be met regardless on how you received your immigration visa

I didn't know you replied mam/sir I wasn't notified and I'm a newbie here don't know how to see if someone replied on my post. Anyway, I'm grateful that you replied. :yes:

Here is my situation, my husband petitioned me for CR1 visa or spousal visa. And right now I am reviewing for my IELTS general module while waiting for our petition to get approved. I enrolled in an IELTS Reviewing center and told them about my situation. They said they didn't know that Kentucky requires an IELTS and they added that in my case (spousal visa) I don't need to take IELTS because its an exemption however I insisted and enrolled.

I have read in cgfns site and stated there that visa screen is not needed on a family based visa like spouse and dependent. It doesn't mean I'm afraid to take the tests but my main reason is to save money. But if it is really a prerequisite I should take whatever it is.

And how do I contact the Kentucky BON?

Thank you so much!!! God bless us all!

Specializes in Acute Care. ER. Aged Care/LTC. Psyche.

Kirstine

VisaScreen is used either as an immigration requirement or as a licensure requirement. In your case, you need it for your KY licensure. A simple read through the KY BON website should direct you on what to do.

First, you need IELTS Academic, not General. The IELTS General is for LPN only. As you are applying for an RN registration, you need IELTS Academic overall band score of 6.5, with Speaking score of 7.0.

Second, you don't have to take the CGFNS exam. The VisaScreen has two options to gauge your nursing knowledge, the CGFNS exam and the NCLEX. KY BON will allow you to take the NCLEX is it's the only requirement left for you to have the VisaScreen.

Please read this:

http://kbn.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/5CD39B1A-AF6A-4740-B838-FA57C9AFF6BC/0/kbnfacts.pdf

And here's the website, you can usually contact them through email. Just look for the Contact Us link.

Kentucky: Board of Nursing - Home

Kirstine

VisaScreen is used either as an immigration requirement or as a licensure requirement. In your case, you need it for your KY licensure. A simple read through the KY BON website should direct you on what to do.

First, you need IELTS Academic, not General. The IELTS General is for LPN only. As you are applying for an RN registration, you need IELTS Academic overall band score of 6.5, with Speaking score of 7.0.

Second, you don't have to take the CGFNS exam. The VisaScreen has two options to gauge your nursing knowledge, the CGFNS exam and the NCLEX. KY BON will allow you to take the NCLEX is it's the only requirement left for you to have the VisaScreen.

Please read this:

http://kbn.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/5CD39B1A-AF6A-4740-B838-FA57C9AFF6BC/0/kbnfacts.pdf

And here's the website, you can usually contact them through email. Just look for the Contact Us link.

Kentucky: Board of Nursing - Home

Thank you so much! I am already reviewing now for IELTS General I am too late to discover this site. I need to tell the review center ASAP about this.

Just to clarify, I only need an IELTS Academic exam and when I arrive in Kentucky I can take for NCLEX already?

Another question mam/sir, since I passed my PNLE last December 2012 and haven't tried working on hospital settings. Is it really required to have an experience here in Philippines? Is volunteer nurse accredited there? Do I need to have an experience for 2 years? I still have 6-12 months until I get to Kentucky.

Thank you so much! You answered my question. Been looking for that answer for ages hehe. God bless!

Kirstine

VisaScreen is used either as an immigration requirement or as a licensure requirement. In your case, you need it for your KY licensure. A simple read through the KY BON website should direct you on what to do.

First, you need IELTS Academic, not General. The IELTS General is for LPN only. As you are applying for an RN registration, you need IELTS Academic overall band score of 6.5, with Speaking score of 7.0.

Second, you don't have to take the CGFNS exam. The VisaScreen has two options to gauge your nursing knowledge, the CGFNS exam and the NCLEX. KY BON will allow you to take the NCLEX is it's the only requirement left for you to have the VisaScreen.

Please read this:

http://kbn.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/5CD39B1A-AF6A-4740-B838-FA57C9AFF6BC/0/kbnfacts.pdf

And here's the website, you can usually contact them through email. Just look for the Contact Us link.

Kentucky: Board of Nursing - Home

I would like to add a question mam/sir, I read the VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment Application Handbook a moment ago and caught my attention about "To be exempt from the English language proficiency examination: 1. your country of entry-level education was in United Kingdom (England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland), Australia, Canada (except for Quebec), New Zealand, Ireland or the United States, and 2. the language of textbooks and verbal instruction of your education was English ". My school since Elementary - College were practicing English and all of my textbooks were written in English as well as the verbal instruction. Am I exempted?

Thank you so much! God bless us all!

Specializes in Acute Care. ER. Aged Care/LTC. Psyche.
Thank you so much! I am already reviewing now for IELTS General I am too late to discover this site. I need to tell the review center ASAP about this.

Just to clarify, I only need an IELTS Academic exam and when I arrive in Kentucky I can take for NCLEX already?

Another question mam/sir, since I passed my PNLE last December 2012 and haven't tried working on hospital settings. Is it really required to have an experience here in Philippines? Is volunteer nurse accredited there? Do I need to have an experience for 2 years? I still have 6-12 months until I get to Kentucky.

Thank you so much! You answered my question. Been looking for that answer for ages hehe. God bless!

If the only remaining requirement for you to be granted the VisaScreen is the CGFNS Exam OR the NCLEX RN exam, then KY BON will give you eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN exam. So yes, if KY BON gives you the eligibility, then you can take the NCLEX-RN as soon as you arrive in KY. But you still need to complete the VisaScreen before KY gives you a licence. So your NCLEX results should be forwarded to CGFNS.

Work experience, per se, is not a requirement but definitely a desirable asset. With all the competition going around the US job market, your experience will help you stand out. Volunteer experience is fine as long as you are practicing within the RN's scope of practice and your employer will give you an employment certificate.

Specializes in Acute Care. ER. Aged Care/LTC. Psyche.
I would like to add a question mam/sir, I read the VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment Application Handbook a moment ago and caught my attention about "To be exempt from the English language proficiency examination: 1. your country of entry-level education was in United Kingdom (England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland), Australia, Canada (except for Quebec), New Zealand, Ireland or the United States, and 2. the language of textbooks and verbal instruction of your education was English ". My school since Elementary - College were practicing English and all of my textbooks were written in English as well as the verbal instruction. Am I exempted?

Thank you so much! God bless us all!

I'm a guy. =>

No, you're not exempted. If you analyze the criteria, it says "AND". So in order to be exempted, you should have studied in those countries AND used an English-based textbooks.

If the only remaining requirement for you to be granted the VisaScreen is the CGFNS Exam OR the NCLEX RN exam, then KY BON will give you eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN exam. So yes, if KY BON gives you the eligibility, then you can take the NCLEX-RN as soon as you arrive in KY. But you still need to complete the VisaScreen before KY gives you a licence. So your NCLEX results should be forwarded to CGFNS.

Work experience, per se, is not a requirement but definitely a desirable asset. With all the competition going around the US job market, your experience will help you stand out. Volunteer experience is fine as long as you are practicing within the RN's scope of practice and your employer will give you an employment certificate.

Thank you so much sir! I am so worried right now, my review center for IELTS won't allow me to shift my IELTS General to Academic module and we fully paid them. I decided to continue reviewing for IELTS General. I am scheduled for IELTS Exam this October *fingers crossed. I was thinking what about if I work as a CNA or PCA or LPN when I get there to save money for my visa screen, NCLEX exam and IELTS exam and my little family. Do I need to be certified or licensed to practice?

Money is problem here. Since we do have lots of expenses going on right now. I really need your help sir my thoughts are so piled up right now :'( I just want everything to be organized before I get to Kentucky.

May God bless you sir thank you for responding on my queries.

Specializes in Acute Care. ER. Aged Care/LTC. Psyche.
Thank you so much sir! I am so worried right now, my review center for IELTS won't allow me to shift my IELTS General to Academic module and we fully paid them. I decided to continue reviewing for IELTS General. I am scheduled for IELTS Exam this October *fingers crossed. I was thinking what about if I work as a CNA or PCA or LPN when I get there to save money for my visa screen, NCLEX exam and IELTS exam and my little family. Do I need to be certified or licensed to practice?

Money is problem here. Since we do have lots of expenses going on right now. I really need your help sir my thoughts are so piled up right now :'( I just want everything to be organized before I get to Kentucky.

May God bless you sir thank you for responding on my queries.

Well I guess there's really nothing wrong if you decide to work as a caregiver or CNA first before you process your RN registration. For you to be an LPN, you pretty much have to do an almost identical process just like for an RN registration. So it's really a waste of time and money if your ultimate goal is to be an RN.

Also, I know your IELTS review center won't allow you to change to IELTS Academic, but don't you think it's also a waste of your time, energy, and money if you continue with it anyway? What's the point of taking it if you don't have any use of it? My suggestion is you read the IELTS manual, see the difference between the IELTS General vs. Academic, continue your IELTS General Review but only taking note of the one's that are relevant to the Academic Module (Listening and Speaking), and supplement your review with free online materials (or you can buy IELTS materials on your local bookshop) focusing on Academic Reading and Writing.

Can you change your test module to Academic?

If I work as a CNA would they require me for my IELTS? That is why I decided to continue my IELTS General thinking that they will also require me.

My review center won't allow me to change my test module to Academic. I already have my manuals for General module and used them already. :( Would that be okay if I just take the IELTS Academic Exam in Kentucky and just review for IELTS here in Philippines since my IELTS Review is unlimited for 1 year? Do you know how much does it cost in taking IELTS in Kentucky? In Philippines we need to pay 9k for the IELTS Exam.

Thank you sooo much iamnomad! :)

Specializes in Acute Care. ER. Aged Care/LTC. Psyche.
If I work as a CNA would they require me for my IELTS? That is why I decided to continue my IELTS General thinking that they will also require me.

My review center won't allow me to change my test module to Academic. I already have my manuals for General module and used them already. :( Would that be okay if I just take the IELTS Academic Exam in Kentucky and just review for IELTS here in Philippines since my IELTS Review is unlimited for 1 year? Do you know how much does it cost in taking IELTS in Kentucky? In Philippines we need to pay 9k for the IELTS Exam.

Thank you sooo much iamnomad! :)

The IELTS fee is pretty much the same regardless of where you are. So roughly, convert the IELTS fee in PhP to USD.

Yeah, I do realise that your REVIEW CENTER won't allow you to change, what I'm asking is whether you've already REGISTERED to take it, e.g through IDP or British Council. The Test Centre, not the Review Centre, will determine whether you're allowed to change your exam module. You can continue on with your review but aim for the Academic. So supplement yourself with Academic practice tests. And if continuing with your General review would create confusion (like if you get used to it instead of the Academic module) then scrap it altogether and start from the scratch. IELTS review materials are widespread and sometimes free, online. You can take that when you get there.

Also, please do read the State's requirement prior to making some moves. As you know by now, it can be really costly. CNA's can be regulated by states, too. So research KY's requirement for this.

You can do all the steps when you get to the US. Just be sure you keep in mind the transactions that needs to be done while in the Philippines, like forwarding of PRC licence, nursing transcripts, etc.

Hello sir! I apologize my previous message, about scheduled exam this October, my bad. I meant, I am aiming to take the exam next month but not yet registered. During our review reviewers are merge regardless of the module we will take. But in every practice exams we are given different sheets.

I decided to review my IELTS here when I get to Kentucky I will take the exam there for Academic.

What are other transactions sir do I need to have while I'm in Philippines? Do I need to change my maiden name to my new family name before forwarding my PRC license?

I really appreciate your efforts sir you enlightened me. Thank you!

Specializes in Acute Care. ER. Aged Care/LTC. Psyche.
Hello sir! I apologize my previous message, about scheduled exam this October, my bad. I meant, I am aiming to take the exam next month but not yet registered. During our review reviewers are merge regardless of the module we will take. But in every practice exams we are given different sheets.

I decided to review my IELTS here when I get to Kentucky I will take the exam there for Academic.

What are other transactions sir do I need to have while I'm in Philippines? Do I need to change my maiden name to my new family name before forwarding my PRC license?

I really appreciate your efforts sir you enlightened me. Thank you!

The "transactions" are pretty much the ones you need to sort out with PRC and/or your nursing school. Like forwarding of transcripts to CGFNS or BON, verification of PRC licence to CGFNS, and all those kind of stuff. So please have a good read of all the procedures, the requirements etc so you can save some time and efforts in the future.

I don't know about the name change. But as a general rule, if you leave the Philippines as Juana Dela Cruz and you get married in the US and have your name changed to Juana Smith, then all those documents that bears your maiden name should have an attached "name change" affidavit or proof. I just don't know where you'll get it. But according to the KY Dept of Transportation:

  • Proof of a name change is required. (Birth Certificate, Name Change Court Order, Marriage License, Divorce Decree, or other legal document)

So I guess those are the standard documents to show proof of name change.

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