Alerts

Updated November 7, 2008

• November 7, 2008
  Average time for entering and processing documents increasing
  CGFNS International is currently experiencing an unanticipated number of documents being received on behalf of applicants. As a result, we have observed an overall increase in our average time for entering and processing documents received. It is currently taking CGFNS approximately 15-20 business days to enter and process documents received on behalf of applicants. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause applicants.
  

• October 13, 2008
  CGFNS International announces new pricing for its VisaScreen^®: Visa Credentials Assessment
  PHILADELPHIA, PA — CGFNS International today announced new pricing, effective January 1, 2009, for its VisaScreen^®: Visa Credentials Assessment will be US$498.00.
  

• August 25, 2008
  CGFNS announces price adjustments to its Credentials Evaluation Service (CES)
  Effective October 1, 2008, the following changes will be made to the CGFNS International Credentials Evaluation Service (CES):
  
  The Reissue of a CES Report Service, where an official copy of a previously issued CES report is sent to an official recipient, will now become a Re-Evaluation Report Service with the following pricing:
  Re-Evaluation of a Full Education Course-by-Course Report $238.00
  Re-Evaluation of a Healthcare Profession and Science Report $188.00
  
  Applicants who need to upgrade from a Healthcare Profession and Science Report to a Full Education Course-By-Course Report must apply for a CES Full Education Course-By-Course Report.
  
  The pricing for the CES Full Education Course-By-Course Report and Healthcare Profession and Science Report remains unchanged at $378 and $328, respectively.
  
  CES Reports do not have an expiration date, but additional CES services may be required based on official recipient requirements, or the submission of additional applicant credentials.
  

• August 1, 2008
  CGFNS International Call Center hours of operation to change effective August 11, 2008
  Beginning August 11, 2008, the CGFNS Call Center hours of operation will be
  Monday through Friday: 8 am to 12 Noon (Eastern Time US)
  
  The telephone number for the call center is +1 (215) 349 8767
  
  The automated telephone system remains open 24 hours/day, seven days a week. That telephone number is +1 (215) 599 6200. Use of this system by applicants to check their status requires a CGFNS ID number and birth date.
  

• July 1, 2008
  Colorado Board of Nursing now requires English Language Proficiency Report to accompany CES Healthcare Profession & Science Report
  The Colorado Board of Nursing now requires the CGFNS English Language Proficiency Report to accompany the CES Healthcare Profession & Science Report for all RN and LPN applicants applying for licensure by exam. The new requirement takes effect July 1, 2008 and applies to all NEW applications received as that date. Anyone who has already applied for CES for Colorado prior to July 1, 2008 is not required to have the English Language Proficiency Report.
  
  The Colorado Board of Nursing now requires proof that the applicant has achieved a passing score on the English Proficiency examinations required by the Department of Homeland Security for certification of health care workers in section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. The Board will accept the same exams and minimum passing scores required for VisaScreen^®.
  
  Applicants who apply to the Colorado Board of Nursing for licensure after July 1, 2008, will need to apply for the CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service Healthcare Profession & Science Report, plus the CGFNS Language Proficiency Report: English and pay $403 for this service ($328 for the Healthcare Profession & Science Report; and $75 for the CGFNS Language Proficiency Report: English).
  

• June 26, 2008
  CGFNS International does not accredit nursing schools
  CGFNS International provides credentials evaluation services to promote the health and safety of the public. This includes verifying that applicants have attended a government-approved school. CGFNS relies on official governmental entities in the countries where the education and training were completed to determine whether or not a school is approved.
  Please be advised that CGFNS International does not accredit or approve nursing schools. Any implication that an educational or training program is “approved” by CGFNS International is inaccurate, misleading and subject to possible sanction. To date, action has been taken against a number of entities that have falsely claimed to be accredited, approved or associated with CGFNS International.
  

• June 25, 2008
  Application Deadline Extended for September 2008 Certification Program (CP) Qualifying Exam^SM
  Six Exam Centers will be open
  The application deadline for the September 2008 CP Qualifying Exam^SM for new applications and re-applications has been extended to July 18, 2008. The following exam test centers will be OPEN for the September 17, 2008 CP Qualifying Exam:
  United States: New York
  Philippines: Manila and Cebu
  India: Cochin
  Jamaica: Kingston
  Nigeria: Abuja
  Russian Federation: Moscow
  

• June 24, 2008
  Clarification for those educated in US territory of Puerto Rico
  “Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapists, and Occupational Therapy Assistants, who completed their entire professional education in the United States territory of Puerto Rico and who wish to practice in the state of New York, are not required to go through the CGFNS Credential Verification Service for New York State.”
  
  If you were educated in Puerto Rico and are looking to practice in the state of New York, please apply directly to the New York State Education Department.
  
  Other state boards of nursing may have different procedures for graduates from U.S. territories. Please check with the state board in the state you intend to practice before applying to CGFNS.
  

• June 12, 2008
  Washington Board of Nursing will require CES Full Education Course-by-Course Report starting today
  Effective June 12th, the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (i.e., Board of Nursing) will begin requiring the CES Full Education Course-by-Course Report for RNs and LPNs applying for licensure by exam. Applicants applying for endorsement may have copies of transcripts forwarded to the Board, or a CES Report.
  
  Washington will continue to accept the CP certificate for RNs applying for licensure by exam or endorsement.
  

• April 15, 2008
  CGFNS / ICHP announce new pricing for its VisaScreen^® renewal service
  PHILADELPHIA, PA — CGFNS International today announced new pricing for its VisaScreen^® Renewal Service, administered by the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), a division of CGFNS International. Effective July 1, 2008, CGFNS/ICHP will charge $250 for each VisaScreen Renewal Service.
  
  The VisaScreen^® Certificate is valid for five years. VisaScreen^® Certificate holders who have not adjusted their status or obtained a permanent United States visa are required to renew their VisaScreen^® Certificates within five years of the date it was issued.
  
  VisaScreen^® is the CGFNS/ICHP trademark term for the federally-mandated non-U.S. citizen health care worker certification program for U.S. immigration and occupational visas. The professionals requiring certification under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), Section 343 are audiologists, medical technicians, medical technologists, occupational therapists, physician assistants, physical therapists, practice nurses, registered nurses and speech-language pathologists.
  

• APRIL 4, 2008
  VisaScreen^® Certificate holders: Check the expiration date!
  The VisaScreen^® Certificate is valid for five years. VisaScreen^® Certificate holders who have not adjusted their status or obtained a permanent United States visa are required to renew their VisaScreen^® Certificates within five years of the date it was issued. VisaScreen^® Certificates that were issued in 2003 will expire in 2008.
  
  Want to prevent having to retake the English Language Proficiency exam?
  English Language Proficiency test scores are valid for two years. This two-year time frame must coincide with the receipt of all required documents, otherwise the scores will expire and applicants will need to retake the required English Language Proficiency exams.