Applying for Michigan License....from Ontario

mrsbondee · Apr 6, 2008

I am wondering if you have completed the process of obtaining a Michigan Nursing License? Have you written NCLEX, CGFNS? etc? Read the posts at the beginning of this forum about Canadians working in the US. Once you have done that then I am sure that paying for the license will be the least of your worries...besides they take credit cards online....I just did it.

Good Luck.

CanNurse06 · Apr 6, 2008

Hi - Thanks for the reply. Yes, I have thoroughly researched the long and lengthy process for Canadians who wish to work in the US. I am currently studying for the NCLEX.....wow.....very different from the CRNE, but a fantastic review of everything! I will definitely go back and read that post though, as there may be some tips in there.

Good luck to you too and thanks again.

Can Nurse

suzanne4, RN · Apr 6, 2008

MI requires the CES, which is a credentials eval done by CGFNS. That must be done before they will even look at your application.

Where you graduated makes no difference to them, if out of the country, then you must meet the requirements for a foreign-trained nurse.

You will need to have all of your credits assessed by CGFNS, so if they are not contained in one transcript, then you will be responsible for getting all of it to them, no matter how many are needed.

You are also going to need to get the Visa Screen Certificate before you will be able to get a TN Visa that will permit you to live and work in the US. You will be able to use the same documents that you submit for the CES, will only need to send in the application when you are ready, as well as payment for it.

I am moving this thread to the International Forum since it is not related to working in Canada, but with immigration and licensure questions.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 6, 2008

CGFNS exam is no longer required for MI. Whether one is from Canada or anyplace else, licensure issues are still the same.

You can also check out the Primer at the top of the International Forum for requirements that you will need to have done. Only thing different is the NAFTA TN Visa, everything else is the same.

CanNurse06 · Apr 7, 2008

Hi Suzanne - Thanks for the reply. Actually, I believe Michigan is slightly different. For Canadian applicants they only require:

a) transcripts of nursing education

b) current verification of RN license

They do not require CGFNS checks prior to applying for the license or taking the NCLEX. However, if the course was taken outside of Canada, then a CGFNS check is most definitely required. Also, graduates of Canadian nursing schools who have a license from Michigan, Florida, Georgia etc ( a few states) are eligible to apply for the certified statement 212® (don't quote me on the name - from memory), which, in the eyes of the immigration service, is a visa screen certificate. This is much cheaper and omits the need for the CGFNS exam.

CanNurse

suzanne4, RN · Apr 7, 2008

The VSC is required now, and not waived for any state. This changed when the VSC became a requirement for all. Having a license in a specific state does not waive anything for you when it comes to immigration which is actually quite separate and independent of licensure.

If you are going to go to a border and get the TN Visa, it is always best to have the VSC with you. It ultimately becomes discretionary of the official at the border.

There is no need for the CGFNS exam in the first place, that is only in existance now for about four states, that is why I am telling you that the information that you have is not up to date.

The VSC is entirely different than the CGFNS Certificate and they cannot be used interchangeably.

It comes done to you needing to write the NCLEX exam and have a VSC in hand as well as a letter of employment that is very specific concerning your job offer when you go to the border for your NAFTA TN Visa.

CanNurse06 · Apr 7, 2008

Hi Suzanne,

Thanks again for your reply.

212® certified statement is a form of the visa screen. Please see CGFNS website for specifc details. It is only eligible for certain applicants who meet very specific requirements. It just cuts out a lot of the extra paperwork as it presumes, through evidence, that the training and current RN license are similar to those of a US license.

The Michigan application for license form states that they require the a) transcipts and b) proof of current license. They do not require a CES of CFGNS exam for Canadian applicants.

I agree that a VisaScreen certificate is a MUST for the TN Visa and an applicant without one will more than likely be refused admission at the border.

Thanks again for all your advice and info.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 7, 2008

VSC is what is needed, not the certified statement. Waste of time and money to get the certified statement, it is not needed for anything for you.

Since the requirement of the VSC and that requires that you write the NCLEX or the CGFNS exam to be able to obtain that; there is no reason for the certified statement any longer, that is the point that I am trying to make to you. You need the actual VSC now for immigration purposes. And until recently, and very recently, MI required the CGFNS exam, except for those from Canada.

If you take and pass the NCLEX exam, and get the VSC there is nothing else that you need to get to have in hand. I am telling you what you need to have in hand to get the VSC which is in turn needed to get the visa at the border, what you need to do to get to that point is up to you. But there is nothing else that is any longer required.

RNGrad2006 · Apr 7, 2008

Hi - Thanks for the reply. Yes, I have thoroughly researched the long and lengthy process for Canadians who wish to work in the US. I am currently studying for the NCLEX.....wow.....very different from the CRNE, but a fantastic review of everything! I will definitely go back and read that post though, as there may be some tips in there.
Good luck to you too and thanks again.
Can Nurse

It may seem like a long process but if you reversed the tables you would also realize that is true the other way around. I am Canadian and have studied in the US and am currently working in the US. After graduation I pursued also getting my license in Canada in case I ever decided to return to Canada but am unable to complete it since BC wants a 250 hour preceptorship (only through a Canadian employer) before issuing registration. Also you can only take the exam in Canada and only 3 times a year. It is not nearly as friendly as the process to sit for NCLEX in the US. Canada's process is a lengthy, expensive process with no break whatsoever even though I am Canadian born. I just wanted to give you some encouragement since many of us know what you are talking about. I studied in the US and still had to get a Visascreen completed. There are many steps in the process but it is worth it and consider myself fortunate that we have the ability to come to the US in the first place.

CanNurse06 · Apr 7, 2008

Hi RNGrad2006,

Thank you so much. I never had any idea that it was so complex to make the reverse move from the US to Canada. Yes, it is a lengthy process, but definitely worth it, and I understand why there have to be so many steps for security, credential checks. And you're right, I don't take it for granted how lucky I am to be able to work in Canada and potentially the US.

However, the whole BC License preceptorship requirement - that's something different. Would it be possible for you to get an Ontario license and then transfer that to BC?

Good luck with your license and visa screen.

RNGrad2006 · Apr 7, 2008

Hi RNGrad2006,
Thank you so much. I never had any idea that it was so complex to make the reverse move from the US to Canada. Yes, it is a lengthy process, but definitely worth it, and I understand why there have to be so many steps for security, credential checks. And you're right, I don't take it for granted how lucky I am to be able to work in Canada and potentially the US.
However, the whole BC License preceptorship requirement - that's something different. Would it be possible for you to get an Ontario license and then transfer that to BC?
Good luck with your license and visa screen.

Thank you for your response. But it seems that for some reason BC is being really picky about a getting a Canadian employer reference as part of the registration process. I looked into even going to Alberta but it seems when you apply to go to BC (eventually) they still want that reference and as long as I am in the US I can't do that. I am currently waiting for I-140 approval as part of the green card process so am commited to staying here for several years to come. We are in Arizona now and LOVE the weather and starting to set down some roots here. Can't imagine leaving but sometimes family issues change things with aging parents etc... so you never know so nice to have options open. I was told that I could take the exam in Canada would remain valid forever but if I didn't complete registration requirements by Fall of 2008 I would have to get my credentials and education assessed all over again including transcripts, notarized documents etc...that had to be done in Canada only so I am already out of pocket several hundred dollars and can't forsee going through that again in a few years time. Not much I can do about it now though I guess. I wish you luck but the TN process is relatively simple and we as Canadians are very fortunate to have that opportunity. We get a lot of people from Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, New York etc... here in Arizona (esp in those dreaded winter months) and lots of travel assignments still to be had so plenty of opportunities. Arizona is also one of the easier places to get a license too. All I had to do was present a letter from my employer that I had a job offer and was issued a temporary license in 48 hours. I wish you all the best and welcome!!!