Obtaining a license in PA and CGFNS

[Miryen]

Hi everyone :) I've been contemplating on moving to Pennsylvania to begin my nursing career. Im worried that it will take a long time before I could finally be licensed there. Im really in need of information on how to go about the process.Im from california with a permanent resident status. I graduated and obtained a license from a foreign country.

In PA, they require to take the CGFNS certification program. A friend told me that she also undergone the same before she came to the US as an immigrant and it took her a long time to finish. She was wondering why i stll have to take the CG exam though I already have SSN and living in the US. This made me wonder if i really have to take it. Im actually in the impression that it is usually and mainly for visa purposes. Do I really have to take the CGFNS exam? And the TOEFL or IELTS?

If yes, how long does it usually take to complete the CGFNS certification program? I have read similar inquiries but concerning states other than PA. If you have any info, advice, Please do share. Thank you! :)

[sans33]

You can get a license form a differnet state that doesn't require CGFNS certification and later endorse to PA. But make sure that you go through CES (credential evaluation from CGFSN). In this way you can avoid CGFNS exam certification. Endoresement usually take abt a month

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

CGFNS exam has nothing to do with already having a US SSN but has to do with where you trained. As mentioned several have gone the route of applying to another state and then endorse.

[elkpark]

Looks like even if you hold licensure in another US state, PA will still require the CGFNS evaluation. From the licensure by endorsement application:

1. For Internationally Educated Applicants:
   

A registered or practical nurse who graduated from a nursing program outside of the United States or Canada and who is licensed by completing the NCLEX® in another jurisdiction of the United States may be granted licensure in the Commonwealth without examination, if the applicant’s program of study is deemed equivalent to the program of study required in the Commonwealth at the time the program was completed. The Board will base equivalency of the international nursing program upon an evaluation performed by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools International (CGFNS). If you are an international graduate, contact CGFNS, at 215-349-8767 or at CGFNS International â€" Global Credibility in Credentials Evaluation. Request that a CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) "Professional Report" be sent directly to the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing. Please note that completion of this report may take several months. Begin this process immediately.

State Board of Nursing

[Miryen]

Thank you for your replies:) I thought it could be much easier and faster to obtain a license in PA than here in Cali. So I thought of pushing through my plans of being initially registered in PA.

[Miryen]

Thanks:) But how long usually is the certification program, the average length before finally being certified? Will it take a year or more? Its hard to apply for nclex in cali and sometimes demand taking extra classes. Thus, longer time to be licensed. Thats the reason why im really curious of the time it will probably take if i go for Penn and the cgfns process versus here in Cali.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

If endorsing you only need CES report so you would need to apply to a state that needs CES report, meet that state requirements pass NCLEX then endorse to PA. If then looking at endorsing to CA then be aware many are still affected by the concurrency issues that CA have been strict about. If you don't think you have concurrency issues then apply direct to CA as the process is still the same whether endorsing or initial application