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US Nursing License & International Applicants

International graduates can obtain a Nursing license in America.

A nursing license is a state-issued document entitling appropriately trained individuals to work as nurses in the US. Each state maintains a licensing board that sets standards specific to that state.

Before applying for professional licensure, you should contact the board of the state you plan to work in to confirm your eligibility.

What Kinds of Nursing Licenses Are Available?

There are two general nursing categories in the US: Practical and Registered.

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) receives less training and education than a Registered Nurse (RN) and consequently is more restricted. In most states, they are supervised by an RN or physician; complete routine tasks like administering medication, collecting urine or blood samples, and monitoring vital signs; are paid less than RNs and often work in private facilities such as nursing homes.

A Registered Nurse (RN) is authorized to act more independently, has greater access to patient records and care plans, assists regularly in complex procedures and earns a higher salary. That is to be expected since an RN’s education is usually twice as long — and twice as expensive — as an LPN’s.

However, there are no qualitative distinctions between the two. Both are skilled professionals providing critical services.

Certifying International Graduates

An international graduate seeking a US nursing license is subject to evaluation. The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is a nonprofit organization that assesses your competence to work as a nurse in the US. Most states require international applicants to complete CGFNS’s certification program prior to licensing.

The certification program consists of three steps:

• Credentials review
• Qualifying exam
• English language test

Step one is an overview of translations of your academic transcripts. CGFNS will determine if your education and experience meet US standards.

Step two is an examination of your general nursing and medical knowledge. It is divided into two sections of 150 and 121 questions. The exam is scheduled three to four times a year in over 50 locations worldwide.

The final step is an English language proficiency test, with TOEFL being the standard.

After Certification: NCLEX

Once you are certified, you must contact the licensing board of the state you wish to work in to apply for an Authorization to Test (ATT). This document declares your eligibility to sit for either the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN.

The NCLEX is a comprehensive examination of nursing knowledge. RNs take the NCLEX-RN, and LPNs take the NCLEX-PN. Both tests are computer adaptive, using software that analyzes your performance and tailors questions accordingly. The NCLEX-RN contains a maximum of 265 questions, while the NCLEX-PN contains 205 maximum.

Each test is offered only in English. Each is available at select international centers in Australia, England, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Puerto Rico and Taiwan.

After passing the NCLEX, you can apply directly to your state board for a nursing license. Again, you are encouraged to contact that board first for a complete list of licensing requirements.