As of January 1, 2005, the information below applies to
Canadian nurses licensed in Maine. (We are no longer making
applicants licensed outside of Maine eligible to write the NCLEX
exam for
VISA certification purposes.)
To Applicant:
Due to recent changes in the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration
Services’ (BCIS) rules, nurses are required to take either
the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)
certificate examination or the National Council Licensure
Examination (NCLEX) for purposes of immigration. The closest
locations for the CGFNS examination are New York and Toronto;
this exam is offered less than four times a year. The NCLEX
is offered daily in the Portland and Bangor areas.
If you choose to take the NCLEX as part of your immigration
process, the Board will “make you eligible” to sit
for the examination EVEN THOUGH you may already hold a Maine
nursing license. Please submit:
· a fee of $50.00 U.S. dollars for processing
(check payable to TREASURER, STATE OF MAINE)
· the completed enclosed application (click
here for application)
· a current passport size photograph of yourself,
signed and dated on the back
You will also have to apply to NCS Pearson who administers
the examination. The cost to NCS Pearson is $200.00 U.S. dollars.
A test bulletin which explains the process may be downloaded
from www.ncsbn.org . You
may also register on line with NCS Pearson at www.vue.com/nclex
(considerably quicker than by mail.)
For further detail on the immigration requirements please
see the following web sites:
A press release announcing the change can be found at http://uscis.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/newsrels/newReq072903.htm
An explanation of the change can be found at http://uscis.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/questsans/hcworkers072903.htm
The INS rule can be found at http://uscis.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/factsheets/healfs.htm
Sincerely,
Myra A. Broadway, J.D., M.S., R.N.
Executive Director
Maine State Board of Nursing
24 Stone St.
158 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0158
|
