Department of Health and Human Services
Regulation and Licensure

Guide to Licensure/Registration for Foreign Educated Nurses

This guide is intended to provide assistance to foreign educated nurses seeking nursing licensure or registration as a medication aide or nurse aide in Nebraska.

Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse

For assistance contact: Sheila Exstrom, RN, PhD—Nursing Education Consultant
                                    402-471-4917
                                    sheila.exstrom@dhhs.ne.gov

Requirements for Licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Nebraska

1. Submit proof of graduation from a Registered Nursing program with education that is comparable to registered nursing education in the United States. Official transcripts must be submitted directly to the Department by the nursing program or by CGFNS (Commission for Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools).
2. Submit proof of having taken the Canadian Licensing Examination or the CGFNS examination. This examination tests for both readiness to take the NCLEX-RN examination and for English Proficiency. CGFNS will conduct an evaluation of the applicant’s education and a review of the applicant’s licensure status in the foreign country prior to granting permission to take the CGFNS examination.
3. Complete the licensure application and submit the $75 licensure fee and the Licensee Assistance Program fee ($1 or $2 depending on when the application is submitted).
4. After the Department has determined that the applicant has satisfactorily met requirements 1-3 above complete the NCLEX-RN examination application and submit the $200 examination fee.
5. Take and pass the NCLEX-RN examination. Applicants who do not pass the NCLEX-RN examination must wait 45 days before retaking the examination. An applicant must repeat steps 3 and 4 prior to repeating the examination.

Requirements for Licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Nebraska

1. Submit proof of graduation from a Registered Nursing or Practical Nursing program with education that is comparable to practical nursing education in the United States. Official transcripts must be submitted directly to the Department by the nursing program or by CGFNS.
2. Submit proof of having taken an English Proficiency Exam and obtained a minimum score as listed:

1. TOEFL paper version—540
2. TOEFL computer version—247
3. IELTS—725 or
4. TOEIC—780

3. Complete the licensure application and submit the licensure fee ( The current fee is $60, but it is anticipated that this fee will increase to $75 sometime in 2004) and the Licensee Assistance Program fee ($1 or $2 depending on when the application is submitted).
4. After the Department has determined that the applicant has satisfactorily met requirements 1-3 above complete the NCLEX-PN examination application and submit the $200 examination fee.
5. Take and pass the NCLEX-PN examination. Applicants who do not pass the NCLEX-PN examination must wait 45 days before retaking the examination. An applicant must repeat steps 3 and 4 prior to repeating the examination

RN graduates who do not meet the criteria to take the CGFNS examination may choose to apply for licensure as an LPN while making up deficiencies to qualify for the CGFNS examination.

RN graduates who have taken and failed the NCLEX-RN examination may choose to take the NCLEX-PN examination rather than retake NCLEX-RN examination.

Foreign nursing graduates may apply for placement on the Medication Aide or Nurse Aide Registry if they:

1. Are waiting to take an English Proficiency examination and/or the CGFNS examination in preparation for seeking RN or LPN licensure.
2. Are taking nursing education courses to make up deficiencies because their education has been determined not to be comparable to nursing education in the United States.
3. Have failed the NCLEX examination and are waiting to retake NCLEX.
4. Want to work in a health setting to become familiar with the system and expectations prior to taking or retaking a nurse licensure examination

Medication Aide and Nurse Aide

For assistance contact: Marletta Stark, RN, BSN—Nurse Aide and Medication
                                    Aide Program Manager
                                    402-471-4969
                                    marletta.stark@dhhs.ne.gov

Requirements for Placement on the Medication Aide Registry

1. Submit proof of graduation from a Registered Nursing or Practical Nursing Program. The transcript must be in or translated to English.
2. Submit a completed application for registration as a medication aide and the application fee of $18.00.
3. Submit documentation of competency assessment. This is a demonstration of the fourteen competency standards that are required for practice as a Medication Aide. The competency assessment must be conducted by a licensed health care professional.
4. Submit a completed application for the state-administered written medication aide examination and the testing fee of $18.00.
5. Successfully complete the written examination.

Requirements for Placement on the Nurse Aide Registry

1. Submit proof of graduation from a Registered Nursing or Practical Nursing program. The transcript must be in or translated to English.
2. Submit documentation of abuse in-service. This required one hour in-service covers resident’s rights and abuse/neglect and the reporting requirements for Nebraska.
3. Submit an application for the state-administered written examination. There is no fee for this examination.
4. Successfully complete the state-administered written exam.
5. Submit an application for the state-administered clinical examination. There is no fee for this examination.
6. Successfully complete the state-administered clinical exam.
7. If an applicant has passed either the CGFNS or the Canadian Nurse Licensing Examination, the state written and clinical nurse aide examinations will be waived.

Application forms and other information is available:

• Online at www.dhhs.ne.gov/crl/profindex1.htm. Click on "N" for nursing
• By telephone request to (402) 471-4376
• By mail request to Nursing and Nursing Support, PO Box 94986, Lincoln, NE, 68509

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