INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS SEEKING LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION IN NC
Requirements for licensure by examination for applicants who were educated outside of the United States and other member board jurisdictions include:
1. Documentation of Education
2. English Proficiency Examination
3. *Valid Social Security Number
4. *Satisfactory criminal background check
*required prior to license being issued. NCLEX examination may be taken prior to completion of these requirements.
Step One: Documentation of Education (Choose one agency)
Do not send transcripts to the NCBON. All official transcripts must be sent to the education evaluation agency:
Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (www.cgfns.org)
3600 Market St., Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651
Telephone: 215.222.8454
· Credentials Evaluation Service (CES Professional Report), or
· CGFNS Certificate or VisaScreen is accepted
or
Josef Silny & Associates (www.jsilny.com)
7101 SW 102 Avenue
Miami, FL 33173
Telephone: 305.273.1616
Step Two: English Proficiency Examination (choose either TOEFL or IELTS)
TOEFL-Test of English as a Foreign Language (www.toeflgoanywhere.org)
Passing score: TOEFL- written overall score of 560, CBT overall score of 220, iBT overall score of 83. NCBON code: 3236
IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (www.ielts.org)
Passing score: IELTS-overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 on all modules.
The English Proficiency examination expires two years after the date the examination was taken. A CGFNS certificate or VisaScreen is also accepted to meet the English proficiency examination.
For applicants to be EXEMPT from the English proficiency requirement, the applicant must have completed their entry-level professional nursing education program in the United States, Canada (except Quebec), the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or the U.S. Territories of Samoa, Guam, Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. The US territory of Puerto Rico is not eligible for exemption.
**Please note: even if your nursing courses were taught in English and/or English textbooks...the applicant will still need an English proficiency examination. There are no exceptions for this requirement.
Application for Licensure by Examination
1. Once the above eligibility requirements are complete and approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, then the applicant becomes eligible for licensure by examination. Complete the Application for Licensure and submit it to the North Carolina Board of Nursing www.ncbon.com/nclex
2. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has contracted with Pearson Vue to give the NCLEX examination. Candidates must register to take the NCLEX examination with Pearson Vue www.vue.com/nclex
Pearson Vue will send an AUTHORIZATION TO TEST (ATT), by email if you have provided an email address on your registration, or else it will be sent by mail. Your ATT will provide instructions on scheduling your examination. You must have your ATT document before you call to make an appointment to take NCLEX examination, and you must take your ATT to be admitted to the test center on the day of your examination.
Application status check for Exam: Applicants can check the status of their NC application for NCLEX by visiting the website www.ncbon.com. It will identify that the application has been received, date declared eligible, and date ATT issued.
The initial Application for Licensure by Examination, and the criminal background check will be held active for one year from the date the candidate is determined to be eligible to test. The ATT is valid for 180 days from the date of eligibility. If you do not take NCLEX, and the ATT expires, you will have to re-establish eligibility.
Examination results will be mailed to the candidate within one month after taking the examination. DO NOT CALL the North Carolina Board of Nursing, NCLEX Candidate Services, or the Pearson Vue Centers for NCLEX examination results. We do not provide exam results by phone; however, you may verify licensure by our verification system at website www.ncbon.com. Telephone inquiries and letters requesting information will not accelerate the process.
Social Security Number Required
Individuals or foreign graduates, who are seeking licensure by examination, must have a valid social security number to be issued a license to practice nursing. While making application for a Social Security number, you may take the NCLEX examination. No license will be issued until proof of the Social Security number is submitted to North Carolina Board of Nursing.
The North Carolina Board of Nursing does require a Criminal Background check before a license can be issued, but it is not required for you to be eligible to apply for and take the NCLEX examination.
North Carolina Board of Nursing
www.ncbon.com/nclex
PO Box 2506 Raleigh, NC 27602
Tel: 919.782.3211