states that only need nclex for foreign educated nurses

suzanne4, RN · Feb 10, 2006

I took the liberty of moving your post to the International Forum. There ar stickies written at the top of the page as to what you need to do.

All states require minimum of NCLEX, series of English exams, and the Visa Screen Certificate.

Others require the CES in addition, which is a credentials eval done by CGFNS.

Best and easiest route is NY.

Least favorable route to go for initial licensure, if you are a foreign grad is CA.

lawelane · Feb 1, 2008

If you have a visa even just a tourist visa or something, u still can take NCLEX in California, Vermont, New Mexico (these are only the states I know who don't require you to be RN in ur country). But if u don't have visa yet and u will apply in agencies or something, then u really have to take exams like TOEFL, etc....

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 1, 2008

This thread is nearly 2 years old and things do change, there has been talk in the last couple of months of Ca changing and requiring local licensure. Always better to approach and ask BON on current requirements

lawrence01 · Feb 1, 2008

If you have a visa even just a tourist visa or something, u still can take NCLEX in California, Vermont, New Mexico (these are only the states I know who don't require you to be RN in ur country). But if u don't have visa yet and u will apply in agencies or something, then u really have to take exams like TOEFL, etc....

Just giving a friendly clarification that having a tourist visa or any visa for that matter has nothing to do with licensure requirements of each state. If one is a foreign-educated nurse, that applicant still has to fulfill the requirements of the State BON for foreign-educated nurses. This still holds true even for US Citizens who are educated in non-US programs. They still have to do the requirements for foreign-educated nurses. The only thing they don't have to do is the English Prof. exam and the Visa Screen certification for obvious reasons.

Also, majority of State BON/BRN do not have en English Prof. exam as req't for initial licensure (CA BRN, VT, NM, etc..) or they waive it if it was taught in English and if the course was taught by the use of Nursing books written in English (IL, NJ, etc...).

An English exam is mandatory for the Visa Screen Certification (either IELTS or TOEFL) if needed. US Citizens and those who already have a US immigrant visa or are in a fiancee visa are exempted to avail the VSC.

And lastly, as Anna said, the diff. BON change their policies and req'ts often.

lawelane · Feb 2, 2008

this thread is nearly 2 years old and things do change, there has been talk in the last couple of months of ca changing and requiring local licensure. always better to approach and ask bon on current requirements

i am not a registered nurse in our country but i was still eligible to take the ca nclex-rn. 5 of us here in ca who didn't take the local board in our country was made eligible to take the exam. 4 of us have already passed. while me, still waiting for the result. four of them stopped at 75 questions and passed. i also stopped at 75 q's but i'm not pretty sure yet if i pass/fail. i don't want to expect anything.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 2, 2008

this thread is nearly 2 years old and things do change, there has been talk in the last couple of months of ca changing and requiring local licensure. always better to approach and ask bon on current requirements
i am not a registered nurse in our country but i was still eligible to take the ca nclex-rn. 5 of us here in ca who didn't take the local board in our country was made eligible to take the exam. 4 of us have already passed. while me, still waiting for the result. four of them stopped at 75 questions and passed. i also stopped at 75 q's but i'm not pretty sure yet if i pass/fail. i don't want to expect anything.

it all depends on when you sent your application in. when bon's make changes and nm recently made changes there is usually a date it will start from ie nm bon new changes will start from 1st feb so applications sent before then should not be affected although the bon will make their on assessment to accept or not.

lawelane · Feb 3, 2008

Ok! I got it! Thanks for the info. At least I can help my friends... hehehhe...

suzanne4, RN · Feb 3, 2008

What happened a year ago can be very different in terms of immigration as well as licensure. Rules are always changing, they never stay the same.

And just because someone has taken the NCLEX exam, but if they do not have a local license, then they are not going to be able to get any experience anywhere and this is something that they will be looking at when the nurse goes for their interview at the US Embassy. How are you going to explain graduating five years before, but not having any experience as an RN? With the increase in the number of applicants, you are going to need to make yourself more marketable in terms of finding an employer, as well as those at the US Embassy the day of your interview.

And add into it the fact that CA does not issue a license without a SSN#, therefore you are going to have to go thru another state to get a hard license from there before you will be in the US more than likely. And if all of the other states are changing their requirements, you are going to need to meet those, not just those of one state.

axian · Oct 3, 2012

I am planning to take NCLEX-RN exam but I do not know which State I must choose. I'd like to take it in the State that only requires NCLEX without additional CGFNS, IELTS and does not need SSN#.

Kindly give me a List of States. Thank you. :yes:

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 3, 2012

I am planning to take NCLEX-RN exam but I do not know which State I must choose. I'd like to take it in the State that only requires NCLEX without additional CGFNS, IELTS and does not need SSN#.
Kindly give me a List of States. Thank you.

This is an old thread

I would say you are wasting your time if you are looking at a state different to the one you plan on living and working in. Most cases requirements still have to be met when endorsing from one state to another. We have had posters post that regardless on working in the US when endorsing to another state and English is required they have still had to take English exam. CGFNS doesn't just do the exam but also do assessments and for most state this is what is required and will take approx 4 months which is a similar time-frame if using another state acceptable company that assesses transcripts.

Kuyafern · Oct 3, 2012

Most states use CGFNS and the only state that doesn't require CGFNS and IELTS is California. The big BUT to this is California is very strict on regulations. Chances are very slim. If you really want to take the NCLEX let alone be an RN in the US, you have to meet the states requirements. CGFNS and IELTS is an evaluation process on both Education and English Proficiency that screens applicants who are qualified to take the exam.

I would advice to ALL aspiring nurses who dream of working in the U.S. to meet the needed requirements. CGFNS takes only months and while you wait for your results you can take NCLEX reviews. Getting the minimum required score for TOEFL or IELTS isn't much of a feat. The only reason most states are requiring an English proficiency exam is to evaluate an individuals ability to read, listen, speak and write. This is pretty important when it comes to maintaining an effective communication with patients and co-workers.

I am planning to take NCLEX-RN exam but I do not know which State I must choose. I'd like to take it in the State that only requires NCLEX without additional CGFNS, IELTS and does not need SSN#.
Kindly give me a List of States. Thank you.