How to Process Nclex for Foreign graduates in Wisconsin

loriangel14, RN · Jul 27, 2012

If you look on the website for the Wisconsin BON it will tell you the requirements that you have to meet for the NCLEX.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jul 27, 2012

The website doesn't ask for CGFNS exam but certificate which is CES

http://drl.wi.gov/docview.asp?docid=285&locid=0

langz9 · Jul 27, 2012

yes i check the website hoping there is a step by step processing for foreign graduates. but i cant find any.. I really appreciate your time.. thank you

langz9 · Jul 27, 2012

The website doesn't ask for CGFNS exam but certificate which is CES
http://drl.wi.gov/docview.asp?docid=285&locid=0

thank you for the response. how about the TOEFL? do you I need to take TOEFL too? so processing my CES is the first step? am I right? I'm sorry, I really have no idea how to start.. thank you once again.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jul 27, 2012

Silverdragon:

I always admire your knowledge in this international forum. But the link you provided from the Wisconsin BON states "CGFNS certificate" required. That to me, means passing the CGFNS certification exam which is different from the CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service. If you look at the CGFNS website, it does say that Wisconsin requires the "CP" (meaning certification program or exam) for foreign RN's (see: CGFNS International).

OP:

You're right that form is confusing.

langz9 · Jul 27, 2012

Silverdragon:
I always admire your knowledge in this international forum. But the link you provided from the Wisconsin BON states "CGFNS certificate" required. That to me, means passing the CGFNS certification exam which is different from the CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service. If you look at the CGFNS website, it does say that Wisconsin requires the "CP" (meaning certification program or exam) for foreign RN's (see: CGFNS International).
OP:
You're right that form is confusing.

you are right.. I tried to register but:

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF REGULATION & LICENSING--ERROR: The Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing does not require a CES Report for licensure of Registered Nurses; however, they do require the CGFNS Certification Program.

so now it doesnt matter if I'm a resident here I still need to take all of these? I was really hoping it'll help me somehow lessen everything. :uhoh21: some of the forums i saw, they said taking CGNFS and TOEFL are more on helping you for your visa etc.. I dont know, it's confusing..

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jul 27, 2012

You're applying for licensure in Wisconsin. All of the 50 states have their own requirements in order for foreign trained nurses to acquire a license to practice within the state. Those requirements are in place regardless of citizenship or visa status. You might have confused CGFNS certification with CGFNS Visa Screen which is required for foreign nurses applying for any of the employment based visas.

langz9 · Jul 27, 2012

You're applying for licensure in Wisconsin. All of the 50 states have their own requirements in order for foreign trained nurses to acquire a license to practice within the state. Those requirements are in place regardless of citizenship or visa status. You might have confused CGFNS certification with CGFNS Visa Screen which is required for foreign nurses applying for any of the employment based visas.

Since Texas is a Compact state like Wisconsin, would it be a smart Idea if I'll just take the exam there when I'm living here? they only want CES in Texas. here in WI they want CP. :uhoh3: Do you think they'll let me do that? thanks for the reply.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jul 27, 2012

Since Texas is a Compact state like Wisconsin, would it be a smart Idea if I'll just take the exam there when I'm living here? they only want CES in Texas. here in WI they want CP. Do you think they'll let me do that? thanks for the reply.

The Nurse Licensure Compact requires that you establish a state of residence. Right now, it sounds like you're a resident of Wisconsin. If you get licensed in Wisconsin, you are eligible for multi-state compact license in the participating states like Texas. If you merely want to be licensed in Texas without establishing residence there, the conditions of the Nurse Licensure Compact is not met, hence, Wisconsin will require a license applied for in Wisconsin in order to practice there. It may sound easy to circumvent the rules by establishing Texas as your state of residence and then using a multi-state compact license in Wisconsin. But establishing state of residence is not a simple matter, it involves having state issued documents such as an ID or driver's license that shows that you actually have an address in the state.

If I were you, I would make a decision to live where you want to live and comply with the requirements set forth by the state you live in. I have a BSN from the Philippines and an MSN from a US university. I am a US citizen. I am licensed as an RN and NP. If I were to move to Wisconsin, I would need to comply with having passed the CGFNS certification exam in order to get a license as an RN which is required to get certified as an NP. Luckily, I do have a CGFNS certificate as I took this test and passed it in 1994. Requirements are meant to be followed however redundant they may seem. Fortunately, I have not met roadblocks to practicing in the US since I arrived here by making sure all my documents are in order.

Please also see:

steppybay · Jul 27, 2012

Since Texas is a Compact state like Wisconsin, would it be a smart Idea if I'll just take the exam there when I'm living here? they only want CES in Texas. here in WI they want CP. Do you think they'll let me do that? thanks for the reply.

As Juan de la Cruz mentioned, if TX is your final destination state to work or practice in, then just go thru all the headaches and hassles to get into TX rather than try to bounce from one state to another, just apply straight into TX.

I read of so many other international grads/nurses (I too am one), of trying this state, then how going to this state where I want to live the rest of my natural life (to the best of my knowledge, lol).

*** The point that so many others are missing by all this running around from one state to another, at the end of the day, you NEEDED to apply and qualify your transcripts and exams at your final resting stop (your most desired State).*** Why put yourselves thru all the problems and spending all that hard earned money for application fee$ (which in all states is NOT refundable for whatever reasons one has).

If one knows going in, they are NOT going to pass that particular's State requirements, then, that's not the State, you want to hang your hat on AND because endorsing another state's license is NO guarantee at all, in fact, it's about a zero-zero chance.

Not to mention the months, maybe close to a year or more, of waiting to get your license done that's not going to happen and then you also have wasted a lot of precious time of finding a job that just went to someone else.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jul 28, 2012

Happy to be corrected.

Some states when endorsing will bypass the CGFNS exam for CES so may be worth asking the state but as mentioned you need to decide where to work and live