CGFNS Announces Acceptance of Additional English Language Exams

Those of you dreading taking the TOEFL or IELTS English language exam probably read the news from CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) that gave you reason to pause and consider canceling those test dates. Through a webinar, Mukul Bakhshi, Esq. Chief of Strategy and Government Affairs at CGFNS International, announced that beginning August 1, 2022, CGFNS will begin accepting English exams other than the IELTS and TOEFL. As you can imagine, this caused quite a stir amongst nurses all over the globe who are working towards their VisaScreen. So what does this mean for you if you are currently going through the process and preparing for your TOEFL or IELTS English language exam?

How Does This Decision Affect You?

Well, it doesn’t cause as great of a change as you would expect. According to CGFNS, this new catalog of tests does not affect the individual state board nursing requirements. For example, if you are headed to Ohio – they still require a passing score on the TOEFL exam before you can begin your career there. Moreover, CGFNS goes on to state,  “[E]ven for states that choose to accept some of these tests (like OET or Pearson), CGFNS will not accept them for CES at this time.” So don’t cancel those TOEFL or IELTS testing appointments just yet.

Important Announcement Regarding the Pearson PTE (updated October 6, 2022)

As different states in the U.S. continue to update their nursing licensure requirements, WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions is excited to announce the following states/territories are currently accepting the Pearson PTE Academic: computer-based English test for licensure:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Idaho
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Wyoming

If you are already an applicant with WWHSS who will be moving to one of these states to work, you are welcome to take the PTE exam for licensure. We encourage you to work with our ESL Program Coordinator, as you prepare for this or any English language exam.

PLEASE NOTE: Your employer will not change your facility to accommodate states that will accept the Pearson PTE. The option to take the Pearson PTE is only open to those nurses who have currently accepted positions in the above states. Your Pearson PTE exam score needs to satisfy the individual state nursing licensure requirement in addition to the CGFNS requirement. It is important to note that individual state Boards of Nursing determine which tests are accepted and which are not. This is not dictated by WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions or CGFNS. 

Our team at WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions wants to make sure that your transition to the United States is as smooth as possible so you can begin your life and career upon arrival. That is why we will continue to encourage you to take the TOEFL or IELTS English language exam or where state boards of nursing allow, the Pearson PTE. Our team will continue to defer to individual state requirements. If you are a WWHSS applicant and have questions or concerns about the required English proficiency exam, please reach out to your assigned Case Manager.

Read More: IELTS vs. TOEFL – What are the Differences?