Are you a nurse who’d love to live and work in the United States of America?
Whether you want California sunshine or the busy streets of New York, here’s your guide to getting a job in the USA.
Firstly, you must apply for a Registered Nurse Immigrant Visa, otherwise known as a ‘Green Card’, or H-1B visa. Find out how to apply here.
You also need a US-based employer that will vouch for you.
You can have your credentials validated by a non-profit organisation called CGFNS.
CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) helps foreign healthcare professionals live and work in countries like the USA.
It provides the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES), a requirement in some states for foreign nurses.
You may then need to pass a licensure exam, known as the NCLEX, depending on the state in which you plan to work.
Eighteen states in the USA require an English Language Proficiency Report (you can see the list here).
You can add the report on to your CES if you want to work in those states.
The report requires you to either have the TOEFL iBT, or IELTS Academic.
You must have passed the test less than two years before you apply.
The CGFNS website states that it requires a ‘passing score’ in TOEFL or IELTS to confirm your English language proficiency.
This is generally assumed to be Band 7.
In addition, your test agency or centre must send the report directly to CGFNS.
You won’t be able to send it yourself.
| IELTS | TOEFL IBT | OET | TOEIC | TOEFL Computer | MET | Pearson | Cambridge |
Alabama | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Alaska | Overall 6.5 with 6.0 on all papers | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Arizona | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Arkansas | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | Overall 725 | Overall 220 | x | x | x |
California | x | Minimum 22 on all modules. Minimum 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Colorado | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 81 Minimum 24 on Speaking Module | Overall 300 | Listening and Reading: 725, Speaking/Writing: 160/150 | x | Overall 55 | Overall 55, with no sub-scores lower than 50 | Overall 185 Minimum Speaking 185 |
Connecticut | x | x | x | x | Overall 213 | x | x | x |
DC (District Columbia) | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | 81 with minimum of 57 on Reading, Listening, and Writing and 24 on Speaking | x | Overall 725 | x | Overall 55; Speaking 55 | x | 176 overall and 185 Speaking |
Delaware | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | Reading, Writing, and Listening: 300; Speaking: 350 | Listening and Reading: 725; Speaking/Writing: 160/150 | x | Overall: 55; Speaking: 55 | Overall: 55; Reading, Listening, and Writing: 50; Speaking: 63 | Overall: 175; Speaking: 185 |
Florida | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 76 | Overall 300 | x | Overall 207 | Overall: 55; Speaking: 55 | x | x |
Georgia | x | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | Overall 725 | Overall 220 | x | x | x |
Hawaii | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted |
Idaho | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted |
Illinois | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | Overall: 55; Speaking: 55 | x | x |
Indiana | Contact Nursing Board | Contact Nursing Board | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Iowa | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Kansas | Overall 6.5, Speaking 6.5 | Reading 19, Writing 20, Listening 20, Speaking 20 | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Kentucky | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | Overall: 55; Speaking: 55 | x | Overall 185 Minimum Speaking 185 |
Louisiana | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x |
x | x | Overall 185 Minimum Speaking 185 |
Maine | x | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Maryland | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Massachusetts | Overall 6.5 with 6.0 on all papers | Overall 83 | x | x | Overall 220 | Overall 55 | Overall 55 | x |
Michigan | Overall 6.5 | Overall 80 | Overall 300 | x | x | Overall 55 | x | x |
Minnesota | x | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Mississippi | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Missouri | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | Overall 725 | x | x | x | x |
Montana | Overall 6.5 | Overall 80 | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Nebraska | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | Overall 725 | Overall 220 | x | x | x |
Nevada | x | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | Overall 55 | x |
New Hampshire | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | Reading, Writing, and Listening: 300; Speaking: 350 | x | x | x | x | x |
New Jersey | Overall 6.5 with 6.0 on all papers | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | Reading, Writing, and Listening: 300; Speaking: 350 | x | x | x | x | x |
New Mexico | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | Overall 725 | x | x | Overall 59 | x |
New York | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 76 | x | x | x | x | x | x |
North Carolina | Overall 6.5 with 6.0 on all papers | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
North Dakota | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Ohio | x | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Oklahoma | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | Overall 725 | Overall 220 | x | x | x |
Oregon | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | x | Reading, Writing, and Listening: 300; Speaking: 350 | x | x | x | x | x |
Pennsylvania | Overall 6.5 with 6.0 on all modules | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | Overall: 55; Speaking: 55 | Overall: 55; Speaking: 55 | x |
Rhode Island | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
South Carolina | Overall 6.5 | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | Overall 55;Minimum 55 in all modules | x | x |
South Dakota | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | Reading, Writing, and Listening: 300; Speaking: 350 | Listening and Reading: 725; Speaking/Writing: 160/150 | x | Overall: 55; Speaking: 55 | Overall: 55; Reading, Listening, and Writing: 50; Speaking: 63 | Overall: 175; Speaking Score: 185 |
Tennessee | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | Reading, Writing, and Listening: 300; Speaking: 350 | x | x | Overall: 55; Speaking: 55 | x | xx |
Texas | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | Listening and Reading: Minimum score of 725 Speaking/Writing: Minimum scores of 160/150 | Overall 220 | x | x | x |
Utah | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | Reading, Writing, and Listening: 300; Speaking: 350 | Listening and Reading 725; Speaking/Writing 160/150 | x | Overall 55; Speaking 55 | Overall 55; Reading, Listening, and Writing 50; Speaking 63 | Overall 175; Speaking 185 |
Vermont | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 83 with 26 on Speaking Module | Reading, Writing, and Listening: 300; Speaking: 350 | x | x | x | x | x |
Virginia | x | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
West Virginia | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Wisconsin | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Wyoming | Overall 6.5 with 7.0 on Speaking Paper | Overall 84 with 26 on Speaking Module | x | x | x | Overall 55; Speaking 55 | 55 overall with no sub scores lower than 50 | x |
Download this table here:
Want to pass the IELTS exam at your first attempt? We can help!
We are IELTS preparation specialists. Our uniquely effective course design and delivery offers an unparalleled range of Medical- and exam-focused courses and tests.
Our courses will help you to achieve a high score in the IELTS Academic English test.
The US Health Service has recently added the OET to its list of recognised English tests for immigration.
You’ll need to pass the Occupational English Test with a Grade C+ or higher in Reading, Writing, and Listening.
For Speaking, you’ll need to get a Grade B or higher.
If you can do that, you’ll be eligible to apply for a visa to the US.
Want to pass the OET exam? We want to help!
SLC is the OET-accredited Premium Preparation Provider in Europe and is the leading provider of OET preparation services to the UK National Health Service.
SLC offers a wide range of OET Nursing preparation services, including self-study, tutoring, practice tests, and writing correction.
We are happy to help you with your IELTS or OET preparation to achieve your American dream and move to the United States.
If you have any questions or don’t know which course is best for you, we are here for you.
You can contact us by filling this form or giving us a call on +44 1273 900213
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