FOREIGN NURSE licensure endorsement in Arizona

[Sarah_in_Az]

Hi to all!..just new here and currently confused about endorsement of license here in Arizona.I`m a filipino and a greencard holder here.I passed my Nclex-New mexico before.Now,i wanted to file an endorsement of my license but i`m kinda confused of the requirements posted in Az BON.It stated there that english exam is needed for foreign graduate nurses that English is not the principal language.I was so sad upon learning this co`z i was told before that english exam is not needed anymore if you come here by other means.Other than that, i have a friend in Georgia that is also an Nclex passer and have filed her endorsement of license successfully in Georgia without any English exam..Anyone any ideas about this?? Thank you..

[chloecatrn]

From the AZ BON RN/LPN Endorsement Packet:

B. Validation of English Language Skills

If you have graduated from a nursing program in a country or territory where the principle language is English, i.e. Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, Trinidad, Tobago, South Africa, Ghana, Jamaica, Barbados, or United States/Territory, you do not need to validate your English language skills.

If the principal language of the country where your nursing program was given is a language other than English, you are required to obtain one of the following options. All test results must be sent by the testing company directly to AZBN.

1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - minimum score of 207 on the computer based version AND Test of Spoken English (TSE) - minimum score of 50.

OR

Paper-based TOEFL - minimum score of 540 AND Test of Spoken English (TSE) - minimum score of 50.

OR

The Internet-Based (iBT) TOEFL - minimum score of 76.

To have results sent to Arizona State Board of Nursing; use the code 9680 when completing your application.

OR

2. International English Language Test Service Academic Examination (IELTS) - minimum score of 6.5 on the Overall Band Score and 7.0 on the Speaking Score.

For TOEFL and TSE Testing Information Contact

Educational Testing Services Phone: [phone]

PO Box 6151 Fax: [phone]

Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 USA Email: [email protected]

Website: TOEFL: Home

For IELTS Testing Information Contact

IELTS, INTERNATIONAL Phone: [phone]

825 Colorado Boulevard, Suite 112 Fax: [phone]

Los Angeles, CA 90041 Email [email protected]

OR

3. Test of English in International Communication (TOEIC) - minimum score of 725 AND Test of Spoken English (TSE) -

minimum score of 50.

For TOEIC Testing Information Contact

TOEIC Testing Program Phone: [phone]

Educational Testing Service Fax: [phone]

Rosedale Road

Princeton, NJ 08541 http://[email protected]

OR

4. Visa Screen Certificate from CGFNS (see prior information to contact CGFNS)

OR

5. A CGFNS Certificate AND a score of 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE).

OR

6. Evidence of being employed as a nurse for at least 960 hours within the past 5 years in a country or territory where the principal language is English i.e. Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, Trinidad, Tobago, South Africa, Ghana, Jamaica, Barbados, or United States/Territory. (Copy of work records can be included with your applications.)

[elkpark]

Each US state regulates the licensure and practice of nursing within its own boundaries and sets its own standards and requirements. If you're trying to get licensed in Arizona, it doesn't matter what Georgia does or doesn't require.

There's a statement at the bottom of the quote above from the AZ BON that you can avoid the language exam requirement if you've worked a minimum of 960 hours within the last five years in an English-speaking country. Have you been working in the US that long? Or somewhere else that would meet that requirement?

Of course, if your main concern is to avoid having to pass a language test, you also have the option of moving to a state that doesn't require the exam.

Best wishes.