CES Instructions
CES Instructions
CES Instructions
The CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) is a requirement incertain states and territories in the United States for state licensure of registered and practical nurses who were educated outside theUnited States. It is also used by U.S. schools and prospective employers to assess the education of nursing professionals who wish to continue theireducation or to be employed in the UnitedStates. The Credentials Evaluation Service results in a written reportdetailing the applicants education and professional registration/licensing/certification credentials. There are twotypes of reports: the Professional Reportand the Academic Report. CGFNS has issued more than 40,000 Credentials EvaluationService reports to nursing professionals educated outside theUnited States during the past 17 years.
A requirement in certain states and territories in the United States for state licensure of registered and practical nurses who were educated outside the United States. It is also used by U.S. schools and prospective employers to assess the education of nursing professionals.
Table of contents
Introduction to the CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Choose from two types of reports
. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............
What this handbook contains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Apply online. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Additional CES services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Other CGFNS services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Other requirements
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............
The Request for Academic Records/Transcripts form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Request for Validation of License/Registration/Diploma form
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............
The Authorization to Release Information form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Finishing your application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Falsified or altered documents
. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............
Mailing forms and documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Guidelines for communicating with CGFNS Your online account
. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............
6 6
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............
2011 CGFNS International. All rights reserved. The information in this handbook supersedes previously released handbooks and other documents and Web pages.
Table 1: Overview of the steps to receive a CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service report
ACTIONS YOU TAKE
Register to create your online account. Go to https://www.cgfns.org/cerpassweb/ register.jsp, and fill out the information fields. This account will help keep you informed about the status of your application, and help us inform you about documents we need from you, even if you choose to apply through postal mail rather than online. Apply online after creating your user account. You can find payment instructions at www.cgfns.org/sections/apply/fees.shtml). Prepare and send the Request for Academic Records/Transcripts form to any nursing or nursing-related post-secondary (tertiary) schools that you attended outside the United States, asking them to send your academic records/transcripts to CGFNS. Send us a photocopy of your secondary school certificate/diploma or results of external exams. Prepare and send the Request for Validation of License/Registration/Diploma form to all licensing authorities outside of the United States who have issued you licenses/ registrations, asking them to send us the completed form and any attachments. Check your status online at https://www.cgfns.org/cerpassweb/login.jsp. Respond to any correspondence from CGFNS regarding missing items. We send you welcome notification and, after we receive your payment, your CGFNS ID number*. CGFNS reviews all academic records/transcripts that we receive from your schools. Then we compare them to information from our global database to find the specific school and grading system. CGFNS reviews all registrations/licenses and verifies that they come from the issuing source. After CGFNS receives and evaluates all the requested documents to satisfy the requirements, we issue a report to the designated recipient. We also provide you access to an applicant copy of the report in your online account.
*Please note: If you applied for another CGFNS service in the past, the CGFNS ID number you were issued at that time remains your permanent ID number. The CGFNS ID number helps us help you keep track of your status and complete your application successfully. **IMPORTANT: Documents that must come directly from your schools officials, licensing authorities or other source agencies can be translated by them and sent directly to us in the signed, stamped and sealed envelope. Documents that you are permitted to send (such as marriage certificates, secondary school diplomas) can be translated by you or anyone you choose. These translations must contain the following, called the Certificate of Accuracy, typed or written at the end of the translation. The translator must sign the translation. Certificate of Accuracy This is to certify that this is a true and correct English translation of the attached photocopy of the original [insert name of document] of [insert applicant name] CGFNS can also provide translations for the fee listed at www.cgfns.org/sections/apply/fees.shtml#5.
Apply online
Apply online at https://www.cgfns.org/cerpassweb/intro.jsp. You must still mail certain documents to CGFNS, e.g., copies of secondary school education documents.
Other requirements
n English language proficiency report This is for state boards of nursing that require an English proficiency report included with Credentials Evaluation Service report. n Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, New Jersey, Virginia and Wisconsin (practical nurse only) require proof that the applicant has achieved a passing score on the English Proficiency examination 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 Michigan Board of Nursing also requires proof of English language proficiency for applicants who graduated from a nursing school taught in a language other than English. The CGFNS CES report must be accompanied by this English language proficiency report containing the passing scores of the approved English examinations detailed in the CGFNS VisaScreen handbook.
Letters
When you mail a letter, it must be written and signed only by you for confidentiality purposes. When you write to us, always include your CGFNS ID number, full name and birth date. CGFNS recommends that you send all correspondence by air mail, and that you consider using express couriers when time is limited.
On-site appointments
You or your authorized agent may call +1 (215) 222 8454 to schedule a 30-minute appointment in our CGFNS office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to discuss your file. See the Contact Us form on our Web site at https://www.cgfns.org/cerpassweb/processContactUs. do for appointment days and times.
Telephone calls
CGFNS Customer Service provides applicant status information by telephone to applicants only. CGFNS will not release information by phone to anyone else unless a completed and signed Authorization to Release Information form has been received from you. If you wish to telephone CGFNS, call CGFNS Customer Service at +1 (215) 222 8454 exension 601. To save time, have your CGFNS ID number ready. If the Customer Service Representative is unable to adequately verify your identity, information will not be released by telephone. For Customer Service hours, go to the Contact Us form at https://www.cgfns.org/cerpassweb/processContactUs.do. CGFNS Customer Service is not available weekends or U.S. holidays. CGFNS does not accept reverse charge telephone calls.
Please note: Please notify CGFNS of any change in your contact information, especially in the event of a disaster in your country. Table 2: Communication guidelines
REASON FOR COMMUNICATION
QUESTIONS ABOUT CGFNS RECEIPT OF YOUR DOCUMENTS QUESTIONS ABOUT CORRESPONDENCE FROM CGFNS ADDRESS CHANGE
COMMUNICATIONS CHANNEL
Email through the Contact Us form at https://www.cgfns.org/ cerpassweb/processContactUs.do, write us, telephone us, or visit CGFNS Connect at https://www.cgfns.org/cerpassweb/intro.jsp Email through the Contact Us form at https://www.cgfns.org/ cerpassweb/processContactUs.do, write us or telephone us Email through the Contact Us form at https://www.cgfns.org/ cerpassweb/processContactUs.do, write us or make changes via the online application system (CGFNS Connect) at https://www. cgfns.org/cerpassweb/intro.jsp Write to CGFNS including legal documentation of name change
YOU NEED
Include your full name, CGFNS ID number and birth date Include your full name, CGFNS ID number and birth date Include your full name, CGFNS ID number and birth date Include your full name, CGFNS ID number and birth date
Only you
2 Your birth date (spell the month and enter numbers for the day and year)
Month Day Year
3 Your signature
Your signature
Do not print
Date
Month
Day
Year
Fax Email
3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651 USA +1 (215) 222 8454 www.cgfns.org
Please type or print legibly. To pay by credit card, please fill in below your name as it appears in your application/order and your CGFNS ID number (if known). Complete the cardholder information as requested. 1 Applicant name
First (given) and middle names (leave a space between names)
3 Applicant birth date (spell the month and enter numbers for the day and year)
Month Day Year
4 Cardholder information
Cardholder name (as it appears on card)
First name, middle initial and last name (Leave a space between names)
Credit card type (check one) n Visa n Mastercard n Discover Cardholder address (for processing credit card payments only)
Street
Street
City
State/Province
Post/Zip code
Country
Year
Total charges US $
(see fees page online at http://www.cgfns.org/sections/apply/fees.shtml)
*Explanation of credit card CVV2 number Visa and MasterCard: This number is printed inthe signature area on the back of the card (they are the last 3 digits after the credit card number).
3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651 USA +1 (215) 222 8454 www.cgfns.org
CGFNS Mission
To serve the global community through programs and services that verify and promote the knowledge-based practice competency of health care professionals.
3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-2651 USA Phone: +1 (215) 222 8454 Web: www.cgfns.org Revised March 2011 20092011 CGFNS International. All rights reserved.