Does Pennsylvania State require CGFNS exam and IELTS before NCLEX exam??

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Please enlighten me. Is it true that they require you first to have the cgfns exam and english exam inorder for you to become eligible in taking nclex exam? Thanks! You'll be a big help to me! :)

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

a foreign educated rn needs to register with commission on graduates of foreign nursing schools, international (cgfns) to have credentials verified via "verification of certificate status" --this will take several months to complete. exams are not required.

for all internationally educated registered nurses (rns) applying to take the nclex®-rn examination:

if you are a graduate of an international nursing school and are not licensed in the united states, you may apply for a pennsylvania nursing license by examination by following the directions below:

1.an applicant must complete an approved registered nursing program to be eligible for registered nurse licensure.

2.if you do not have a social security number, complete the enclosed waiver of social security number form. be sure to state the reason why you do not have a social security number.

3.the term “basic nursing education” refers to the name of the institution, school, college or university where you completed the education which qualified you for your original nursing license.

4.contact the commission on graduates of foreign nursing schools, international (cgfns) at(215) 349-8767 or cgfns international.

a. register for the cgfns certification program. please note that completion of this program may take several months. begin this process immediately.

b. after completion of the cgfns certification program:

•request that a cgfns “verification of certificate status” with an official seal, be sent directly from cgnfs to the pa state board of nursing.

•request that cgfns send your “request academic records/transcripts” form, with an official transcript attached, be sent directly from cgfns to the pa state board of nursing.

c. all questions related to cgfns processes should be directed to cgfns.

5.submit the application for licensure by endorsement with exam for internationally educated registered nurses to the pennsylvania state board of nursing and register to take the licensure exam with pearsonvue. you may register online at nclex testing with pearson vue, or call 866-496-2539 or submit an nclex® registration form to nclex® operations, po box 64950, st. paul mn 55164-0950.

6.when registering with pearsonvue for the licensure exam, it is recommended you download an nclex® examination candidate bulletin that will provide you with valuable information about test content and testing procedures.

7.applicants who qualify under the americans with disabilities act for accommodation(s) to take the exam must complete the request for accommodations form located at state board of nursing.

8.after you register for the licensure exam with pearsonvue and your application is processed by the board, information regarding scheduling the licensure exam will be sent to you by pearsonvue along with the authorization to test (att). the att is valid for ninety (90) days and cannot be extended for any reason.

applicants should record the date, time and place of the scheduled licensure exam appointment on the bottom of the att form. several days after the appointment is established, you may wish to confirm that it has been scheduled for the correct date, time and location.

9. allow two (2) to thirty (30) days to receive official results of the licensure exam by mail.

info here:licensure by endorsement with exam for internationally educated registered nurses

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Thank you so much. Your post is very informative. I was enlightened, really.

I really thought that I will take the CGFNS exam, because I saw at their site that the requirements needed for the state of PA is "CP" and when I clicked and read it, it says there that I would have to take CGFNS exam..

Another question, do I need to have a Local License for that? Thanks!

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How about the form or the paper application of PA BON to be filled up for the application for eligibilty?

Will I fill that out? HAHA. I'm really confused with nclex application. please bear with me. :|

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What do you mean by Verification of Certificate Status? So, I need not to complete the whole Certification Program? And proceed immediately to sending all the requirements to the PA BON? Thanks! :)

Please! Someone help me with this. Please also answer my question, Do I need to have a local license? :( :(

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

If PA require CGFNS exam then you have to pass it and requirements for that exam will be on the CGFNS website

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Yes, I am aware of it. But Nurse Karen here said that there is no exam required because it is Certification Program via Verification of Certification Status that the Pennsylvania require.

Can you please confirm this to me. I am bit confused again. :(

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

According to the PA state BON website International nurses have to apply for application. I can't really see what is required for PA as a International nurse. It used to be CGFNS exam which is called Certification program which is different to CES which is just a service verifying you meet US requirements

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

According to CGFNS website PA requires CP and transcripts for RN

CGFNS International

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Yes CP but then CP via Verification of certificate status which do not require an exam. I also read other threads that PA remove the cgfns exam requirements which make it easier to apply.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Sorry, I posted wrong info before- exams are required with CGFNS "The Certification Program"

(I was thinking of CES Eval).

What does this service do?

It has three parts:

  1. A credentials review of secondary and nursing education, registration and licensure
  2. The CGFNS Qualifying Exam® a test of nursing knowledge (which also satisfies one of the requirements for obtaining an occupational visa to work in the United States)
  3. A report on an English language proficiency exam

When successfully completed, applicants receive the CGFNS (Certification Program) certificate, which is required by many of U.S. states in order to take the NCLEX-RN®.

You need to complete entire CGFNS program and that you successfully met all requirements.

Only after you have received notice that your CGFNS certificate program is completed, then you may submit application to PA Board of Nursing for permission to take NCLEX --- application posted at end of my first post above.

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Oh my, so it's really true. But how come I read in other threads that they have removed already the cgfns exam?

:(

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