TOEFL, do I still need to take it?

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Good day! I'm planning to apply for Washington State NCLEX .Im a registered nurse in the Philippines. I read on there site that I need to take TOEFL before I can take NCLEX, but I'm already living in Wa for about a year. Do i still need to take the TOEFL even if i'm already an immigrant here? Thanks so much!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Check with the BoN but most likely yes you need to prove English competency as a condition of licensing by examination as an internationally educated nurse. NCLEX is but one step in the process.

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I see. Thanks :)

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

We have had members post before for this state that they were immigrants and still had to sit and pass English exam. As suggested ask the BON

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I am a Nurse from Ukraine and I live in America for 14 years. I passed my NCLEX, but picky Washington BON still requires to pass TOEFL with Speaking Section 26 or above in order to work in Wa as a nurse. I am ****** and upset, but what to be done. If you can't change something you have to accept it. Right?:)

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yes u need to passed the toelf first for washington state.. but theres some state that dont require toelf like oregon.. i live here in washington too.. i have friends that told me that they successfully endorsed their license here in WA without toelf.. maybe you might consider applying other state that dont require toelf cause it will take some time for you to apply here in WA because of the Toelf.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

We have had USC born and bred in the US complain that they have had to take a English exam because they trained outside the US. At the end of the day the BON is there for patient safety and if that requires a pass with some English exam then you have no option but follow through

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Specializes in hospice.
yes u need to passed the toelf first for washington state.. but theres some state that dont require toelf like oregon.. i live here in washington too.. i have friends that told me that they successfully endorsed their license here in WA without toelf.. maybe you might consider applying other state that dont require toelf cause it will take some time for you to apply here in WA because of the Toelf.

Or maybe not....

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But if I have already passed an NCLEX BEFORE TOEFL, so will it not be counted or what?:)

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Having passed NCLEX has no bearing on English exam. If the state requires it then you have to do it

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I heard if you have some certain experience in the medical field you don't have to take TOEFL. I worked five years as a CNA and six years as a Medical Assistant in the Hospitals and Physicians Offices. Do you think they can take it into consideration to wave my TOEFL test?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I heard if you have some certain experience in the medical field you don't have to take TOEFL. I worked five years as a CNA and six years as a Medical Assistant in the Hospitals and Physicians Offices. Do you think they can take it into consideration to wave my TOEFL test?

Waiver is not always an option . Your native language and the language of the country you were educated in have more weight. Nursing requires a higher level of English proficiency than CNA or medical assistant so it's not likely. If you worked in another US state as a nurse or an English speaking country as a nurse waiver might be an option

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