In order to apply for licensure as an LPN/LVN in the United States, many U.S. state boards of nursing require internationally educated LPN/LVNs to obtain a certificate from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS®). Some states require that this process be completed prior to taking the NCLEX-PN® exam. The process of obtaining a CGFNS® certificate includes (1) a review of your secondary and nursing education credentials and original nursing program, (2) passing the CGFNS® exam that tests nursing knowledge, and (3) obtaining a minimum score on a designated English language proficiency exam.
The CGFNS® exam is a two-part test of nursing knowledge. Nurses who pass this exam have been shown to be more likely to pass the NCLEX-PN® exam on the first try than nurses who have not passed the CGFNS®. This exam can be taken overseas at a number of international testing sites run by CGFNS® or at selected sites in the United States.
Applications for the CGFNS® exam are free, and you may apply online at cgfns.org. Go to cgfns.org for further information. Only online applications for the CGFNS® Certification Program are accepted. On the CGFNS® website, you will also find application deadlines and test dates. With an online application, you can submit your educational and professional documentation, choose a location and date for your exam, and pay fees by credit card. The online CGFNS Qualifying Exam® is administered in March, July, September, and November during a five-day testing window in each of these months.
To find out about a particular state’s requirements for international nurses, call that state’s board of nursing and request an application packet for initial licensure as an internationally educated LPN/LVN. You can also visit your chosen state’s website using the key words “Board of Nursing” and the state name. The website URL for each of the state boards of nursing in the United States is also listed in Appendix D.
Regarding the CGFNS® English proficiency requirements, the following information will help you register for the appropriate exams. Remember that these exam results are usually only valid for two years, so plan accordingly to avoid retakes. For more information about preparing for these exams, see the Kaplan English Programs section at the end of this chapter.