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Certification Program

Certification Program Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CGFNS International Certification Program?

The CGFNS International Certification Program is a three-part program designed to predict an applicant's likelihood of passing the NCLEX-RN® examination and becoming licensed as a registered nurse in the United States. The three parts of the program include a credentials review, a Qualifying Exam of nursing knowledge and an English language proficiency examination. Applicants must successfully complete all three parts of the Certification Program in order to earn the CGFNS Certificate.

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Which states require the CGFNS International Certification Program/Qualifying Exam?

The CGFNS International Qualifying Exam is required by a majority of U.S. State Boards of Nursing and predicts success on the NCLEX-RN® examination. You will need to check requirements with the state board of nursing of the state in which you intend to practice.

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What are the general application requirements of the CGFNS International Certification Program?

  1. Complete the CGFNS International Certification Program application form
    • You can apply for the Certificate Program in one of three ways: Apply online at www.cgfns.org.
    • Download the Certification Program Handbook and Application from www.cgfns.org
    • Request a copy of the Certificate Program (CP) Handbook and Application from CGFNS International by mail or phone.
  2. Prepare and send a Nursing Education Form to the nursing school where you obtained your diploma/degree to have them send your transcripts directly to CGFNS International.
  3. Prepare a Validation of Registration/License form for every license you have ever held and send each form to the issuing authority(ies).
  4. Send a clear copy of your high school diploma or equivalent.
  5. If your diploma is not in English, you will need to send a certified, word-for-word English translation with this form.
  6. Send three signed photographs of yourself and complete the CGFNS International Photo Identification Card.
  7. Pay the appropriate fee listed on the fee schedule in U.S. dollars using one of the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, or Discover/Novus, or send an international money order or certified bank check payable to "CGFNS International". Payment must be received within 60 days of applying.

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Who is eligible to take the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam?

The CGFNS Qualifying Exam is open to first-level, general (registered) nurses ONLY.

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What is a first-level, general nurse?

In order to be eligible for the CGFNS International Certification Program, a nurse must be educated and hold both initial and current registration/licensure as a first-level, general nurse as defined historically by the International Council of Nurses (ICN). A first-level nurse is called a registered or professional nurse in most countries. A general nurse must have obtained theoretical instruction and clinical practice in a variety of nursing areas and must have had his/her nursing education on a post secondary (high school) level.

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What other services does the CGFNS International Certification Program offer?

  1. Forwarding Nursing Education Information — to any school, university or any organization that issues a professional license.
  2. Verification of Certificate Letter — to any recipient.
  3. Replacement Certificate — for a lost Certificate.

All three services must be by written request and must include the applicant's signature and the appropriate fee.

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It is very difficult for me to obtain documents from my country. Is it possible for me to send a copy of my transcripts or licenses to your office?

No. CGFNS International needs to have the applicant's school(s) and/or licensing authority(ies) send the information directly in order to verify accuracy.

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Who is exempt from fulfilling the English language proficiency requirement for the Certification Program?

For an applicant to be exempt from the English proficiency requirement, they must meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • country of nursing education was in United Kingdom (England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland), Australia, Canada (Quebec approved schools include: McGill University and Dawson College in Montreal, Vanier College in St. Laurent, John Abbott College in Sainte Anne de Bellevue, and Heritage College in Gatineau), South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, Trinidad/Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados or the United States.
  • language of instruction and language of texts was English. If a CGFNS International Certification Program applicant does not meet ALL of these criteria, they must take an English proficiency examination.

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Who pays for the Certification Program?

The applicant typically pays for the Certification Program. The application fee can be paid by an international money order or certified bank check in U.S. dollars, drawn on a U.S. bank and made payable to "CGFNS International," or by one of the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard or Discover/Novus.

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How often and where is the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam offered?

The CGFNS International Qualifying Exam is offered three times per year in more than 50 locations throughout the world. For a complete list of CGFNS' Qualifying Exam sites, please refer to the CGFNS Certification Program handbook, contact the CGFNS Customer Service Department or visit the CGFNS web site at http://www.cgfns.org/.

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What should I do if I need to change my exam date or location after I have been scheduled for the exam?

If you need to change the exam date or location you must submit a change request form or submit your request in writing to CGFNS International. Change request forms are accepted via mail or email. Changes must be received by CGFNS no later than 10 weeks prior to the exam date. Any requests received with less than 10 weeks until the exam cannot be honored.

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What should I do if I am determined to be ineligible for the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam?

CGFNS International will provide you with information on how to rectify any deficiency you may have in your CGFNS application.

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Must I submit my original secondary school diploma for review?

No. CGFNS International accepts clear and legible photocopies of this document for evaluation.

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What if I no longer have my original documents and cannot provide a photocopy?

If you no longer have your original secondary school diploma, contact the authority that issued your credential and request that they submit an official letter by mail or courier directly to CGFNS International verifying your records and results. CGFNS International accepts external examination results only if provided by the examination board.

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What should I do if my educational institution has closed?

CGFNS International only accepts certain documentation (such as transcripts and validations of registration/ license) from source agencies. If your school has closed or no longer operates, you will need to contact the organization or agency authorized to hold documentation for that institution (such as a ministry of health or the national, provincial or state licensing authority in your country of education). If you are uncertain about where to go, call the CGFNS International Customer Service Department.

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What if my documents are not in English?

A certified word-for-word English translation, signed with a certification of authenticity by the translator, must accompany any credentials not in English. If you cannot furnish a translation of your documents, CGFNS International can provide an official translation of each document for an additional fee. CGFNS International will accept translations of documents submitted by source agencies (such as transcripts and validations) only from the issuing authorities. Otherwise, CGFNS International will translate documents for the appropriate fee.

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Can I get a full refund if I drop out of the Certification Program?

CGFNS International has instituted a "no refund" policy for its Certification Program. Individual consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis if a refund is necessary due to a CGFNS error.

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How long will it take to receive my CGFNS International Qualifying Exam results?

Approximately five to six weeks after taking the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam, CGFNS will send you a letter telling you whether you passed or failed the exam. You may check to see if you passed the exam on the CGFNS website. Due to confidentiality, the letter is sent directly to you. No one but you receives your results. Mail delivery varies from country to country, so please allow up to four additional weeks for international deliveries.

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If I failed the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam, what is my next step?

CGFNS International will provide your numerical score and the passing score for the exam in the results letter. Also included is your diagnostic profile, which will indicate your strengths and weaknesses in the client needs categories. These categories form the basis not only of the CGFNS Qualifying Exam, but also of the NCLEX-RN® examination. The CGFNS Qualifying Exam is offered three times a year. You may re-apply for another test date using the reapplication form and paying the appropriate fee.

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When I pass the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam, do I receive my Certificate?

No. When you pass both the CGFNS Qualifying Exam and English proficiency exam, you will receive your CGFNS Certificate.

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I took the TOEFL exam three years ago. Are my scores still applicable?

No. TOEFL, TOEC and IELTS scores are only valid for two years. Also, the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam and English language exams must be taken within two years of each other for both scores to be valid.

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Do I need to have validations for all licenses I have held to complete my Certification Program application?

CGFNS International requires all Certification Program applicants to provide validations of their initial and current licenses sent to CGFNS directly from the licensing authority(ies).

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Can I provide a photocopy of my license instead of a validation?

No. CGFNS International requires that official validations must be completed and sent directly from the issuing authorities.

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I was never licensed in my country; can I still take the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam?

No. Applicants applying to the Certification Program must hold a registration/license in their country of education before becoming eligible to take the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam. The only time that this requirement is waived is when applicants are not permitted to sit for the licensing exam in their country of nursing education because they are not citizens.

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What should I do if the agency that issued my license is no longer in existence?

CGFNS International only accepts validations of licensure from the source agency. If that agency has closed or no longer operates, you will need to contact the organization or agency authorized to hold documentation for that institution (such as a Ministry of Health or the national, provincial or state licensing authority in your country). If you are uncertain about where to go, contact the CGFNS International Customer Service Department for assistance.

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How many times can I take the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam?

You can take the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam however many times you wish, until you achieve a passing score. However, in order to complete the Certification Program, applicants must pass both the CGFNS Qualifying Exam and an English language proficiency exam within two years of each other.

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Does CGFNS International recommend that applicants use a preparation course for the exam?

CGFNS International does NOT require that applicants who want to sit for the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam must have first taken a preparation course. CGFNS is aware that many organizations are offering preparation courses for the CGFNS Qualifying Exam. Some of these organizations may claim that they have been authorized by CGFNS to offer this preparation course, or that they represent CGFNS or the National Educational Examinations Authority (NEEA). CGFNS has authorized no individual or organization to conduct preparation courses for the Qualifying Exam. NEEA is CGFNS' only representative in China. NEEA has authorized no individual or school to represent it or to conduct preparation courses for the Qualifying Exam in China. Any organization or school which conducts preparation courses for this exam is not authorized to do so by either CGFNS or NEEA.

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When and where will the exam in China be held?

Announcements about the time of the exam and the location of the exam site(s) will be made by National Educational Evaluations Authority (NEEA) on its website, http://www.51test.com/.

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How do applicants obtain application forms?

Individual applications for CGFNS International services are provided free of charge. There is a nominal cost for receiving more than one copy of the Application and Handbook for each program. Application forms can be obtained in several ways. The simplest way is for an applicant to complete the application on-line at www.cgfns.org. Applicants can also download the application form from the Applications & Forms section on the website www.cgfns.org. Applicants can also obtain an application form by calling the CGFNS International Customer Service Department and requesting an application to be mailed.

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How can I learn how to complete and file the application form?

Application handbooks provide instructions on how to complete the various application forms.

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What action is taken by CGFNS International upon receipt of the application form?

Once CGFNS International receives the Certification Program application and the fee for the program, the applicant will be sent, free of charge, the CGFNS Official Study Guide for the CGFNS Qualifying Exam. This comprehensive study guide will help prepare the applicant for both the CGFNS International Qualifying Exam and the NCLEX-RN® (state licensing exam). It includes information about how the exam is organized and includes four practice tests, totaling over 1,000 questions with rationales for both the correct and incorrect answers.

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What are the passing scores for the English language proficiency examinations?

The passing scores for the English language proficiency examinations are located in the Certification Program Application Handbook and the Certification Program Requirements.

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What if my nursing education and secondary education were combined?

If an applicant's nursing education and secondary school education were not separate but were combined, the nurse/applicant is not eligible for the Qualifying Exam and will not be approved to sit for the exam unless the nurse is able to demonstrate one of two things:

  1. that the nurse has subsequently completed a full secondary education separate from the nursing education;

    or

  2. that he or she has passed an examination certifying that he or she has completed the equivalent of a secondary school education. (In the United States, this test is known as the General Educational Development test, or GED. A person who passes the GED test receives a GED Certificate demonstrating that he or she has attained the equivalent of a secondary school education.) If an applicant's nursing education and secondary school education were not separate but were combined, and if the nurse/applicant is unable to demonstrate one of the two requirements listed above, the applicant will not be approved to sit for the Qualifying Exam.

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