The Credentials Evaluation Service (CES)

The CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) is a report prepared by CGFNS for a Board of Nursing, university, immigration office, employer, etc. This report analyzes the education and licensure earned outside of the United States in terms of how it compares with U.S. standards and expectations.

There is no examination included in this program; once all documentation, fees and a completed application are received, a report will be prepared and submitted to the recipient (i.e., Board of Nursing, U.S. college/university [if applying for academic admission], an employer, etc.) as well as a copy to you, at which time the Board will determine whether or not you are eligible to take the national licensing examination for nurses in the United States--the NCLEX-RN? or NCLEX-PN? Examination--which is required for all nurses in order to practice in the U.S.

The ICHP VisaScreen: Visa Credentials Assessment

If you are also interested in obtaining an occupational visa in the United States as a registered or licensed practical/vocational nurse, you are also required, by virtue of the 1996 immigration laws, to obtain a VisaScreen Certificate.

The VisaScreen Certificate is issued after a complete evaluation of a professional's credentials to verify that he or she meets the minimum federal requirements. The Certificate must be received before the BCIS will issue an occupational visa to the applicant to live and work as a professional in their field in the U.S. The International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), a division of CGFNS, administers this screening process, which is called the "VisaScreen: Visa Credentials Assessment".

The VisaScreen program is comprised of three parts:

• a credentials review of your entire nursing education (educational requirements same as those for the Certification Program) and all registration/licensure that you have held and currently hold,
• successful completion of either the CGFNS Certification Program or the NCLEX-RN? (for registered nurses), and
• successful completion of a group of approved English language proficiency examinations.

Passing scores for these examinations are as follows:

Upon successful completion of all parts of the VisaScreen Program, you will obtain the VisaScreen Certificate, which you must present to the BCIS at your final consular interview.

Documents required for any CGFNS Program

In order for CGFNS to complete an evaluation of your credentials for CP, CES or VisaScreen, the following documents are required:

• A completed application form
• Full payment for the program/service to which you are applying
• A FULL transcript with an official school seal/stamp,

Mailed to CGFNS directly from your nursing school, verifying the total number of hours of classroom instruction (theory) and hours/days of clinical practice you completed in each of the courses you completed during your professional training/nursing program. Work experience CAN NOT be accepted as an alternative to lack of instruction/training undertaken during your educational program. For the Certification Program, your transcripts must be accompanied by a completed "Nursing Education Form". For both the CES and VisaScreen, your transcripts must be accompanied by a completed "Request for Academic Records" form.

• A validation of your original registration/license as a nurse mailed to CGFNS directly from the authority which issues registrations/licensure in your original country of education (if applicable). If your diploma gives you the right to practice nursing in your country, your nursing school or the Ministry of Health must also validate your diploma to CGFNS.
• A validation from any other licensing authority where you hold a license as a registered and/or practical nurse (if applicable).
• A photocopy of your secondary school diploma (high school); OR, if you no longer have your original diploma, an official letter with the school seal/stamp and signed by the principal

It must be sent to CGFNS directly from your secondary school verifying your full dates of attendance and date of completion/graduation.