• About the Certification
  Program services,
  how to apply and fees
• Program requirements (PDF)
• The CGFNS
  Qualifying Exam^®
• Exam dates and
  centers open for
  the upcoming exam
• Test center locations
• English language
  proficiency exam
• Study aids
• Certification Program FAQ

The CGFNS Qualifying Exam^®

We offer the CGFNS Qualifying Exam^® for registered nurses in more than 50 locations worldwide up to four times per year. The exam satisfies one of the immigration requirements for obtaining an occupational visa to work in the United States and is a prerequisite in some states for licensure. See www.cgfns.org/sections/tools/apps/sbonrequirements.shtml.

The CGFNS Qualifying Exam^® is a one-day examination that tests your knowledge and understanding of nursing as it is taught and practiced in the United States today. It uses objective, multiple-choice and alternate-item type questions, designed by testing experts to help you predict your likelihood of passing the U.S. registered nurse licensure examination ‚ the NCLEX-RN^®.

Our exam is divided into two sections. Nursing Part 1 comprises 150 questions and is given in the morning session. You have 2.5 hours to complete this portion, after which we break for lunch. Nursing Part 2, comprised of 121 questions with 2.5 hours to complete, is given after lunch.

For worldwide locations where the CGFNS Qualifying Exam^® is given, go to www.cgfns.org/sections/programs/cp/qecenters.shtml.

Eligibility for the exam

To be eligible to take the CGFNS Qualifying Exam^®you will need to be successful on a CGFNS CREDENTIALS REVIEW. We evaluate your education and registration/license/certification to verify that you are a first-level, general (registered) nurse (as defined historically by the International Council of Nurses).

The academic requirements are:

• successfully completed a secondary school education that is separate from your nursing education
• graduated from a government-approved, general nursing program of at least two years in length
• received theory and clinical education in each of the following: nursing care of the adult (which includes medical and surgical nursing), maternal/infant nursing, nursing care of children and psychiatric/mental health nursing

Licensure requirements are:

• initial registration as a first-level, general (registered) nurse in the country where you completed your general nursing education; and
• current first-level, general (registered) nurse registration.

Once you are eligible, you will be rostered for the exam from the choices of test locations and dates you made in your application. When registration closes for a certain exam date, we post the centers that will be open at www.cgfns.org/sections/programs/cp/cp-qedates.shtml. If the exam location you choose is not operating on the desired exam date, we will inform you of your options for a different exam date or location.

If you need to change your exam date

You may change your exam date by notifying CGFNS International in writing 10 weeks prior to your scheduled exam. Include your full name, CGFNS ID number and birth date and send by postal mail, through the Contact Us form or through your online account. You will not be eligible for a refund if you do do not arrive for your scheduled exam.

CGFNS test centers