On October 25, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved a new credentialing organization, International Education Evaluations, LLC, to issue certificates for healthcare workers from abroad. This addition means nurses and other healthcare professionals seeking to work in the United States can now utilize this new organization to meet immigration requirements.

Why This Matters for Healthcare Professionals

U.S. immigration law requires specific healthcare workers—such as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and licensed vocational nurses—to present a certificate from an approved organization. This certificate confirms their credentials meet U.S. standards, a step required to receive work visas and permanent residency. By adding International Education Evaluations, LLC, USCIS aims to streamline and expand the certification process for qualified healthcare workers, addressing a high demand for healthcare professionals in the United States.

Authorized Healthcare Credentialing Organizations

Previously, USCIS recognized three main organizations for healthcare worker certification:

  1. Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)
  2. National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
  3. Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT)

With the addition of International Education Evaluations, LLC, the list of approved organizations is now more comprehensive, potentially speeding up certification for many foreign-trained healthcare workers.

Important Takeaways

  • Who Does This Affect? Primarily registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and licensed vocational nurses.
  • Effective Date: This approval took effect on October 25, 2024.
  • Benefits: More choices and potential for quicker certification, helping healthcare professionals more efficiently meet immigration requirements.

Additional Information

For further guidance on healthcare worker certification, visit USCIS’s official page on healthcare worker certification.

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