Special Guide 🇵🇭
NCLEX for Filipino Nurses
Filipino nurses are the largest group of internationally educated nurses in the U.S. This guide walks you through the full path — from your PRC license to passing the NCLEX-RN and getting a U.S. work visa.
Quick Facts
- Required Education
- BSN (CHED-recognized)
- PRC RN License
- Recommended / often required
- English Exam
- IELTS or TOEFL (usually)
- CGFNS Evaluation
- Depends on state
- Take NCLEX in PH?
- Yes — Manila center
- Common U.S. Visa
- EB-3 (employer-sponsored)
Step-by-Step Process
- 1
Confirm your BSN and PRC license
You'll need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a CHED-recognized Philippine school and, ideally, an active PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) RN license. Most U.S. boards require proof that your nursing program included both theory and supervised clinical hours.
- 2
Choose the right U.S. state board
Each state has its own rules. Some are very friendly to Philippine-educated nurses (e.g. New York, New Jersey, Texas, Illinois). California is stricter because of its 'concurrency' rule — it requires theory and clinical to be taught in the same term, which many Philippine programs don't satisfy. Choose your board carefully before paying any fees.
- 3
Get your credentials evaluated (CGFNS / CES)
Many states require a CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report to confirm your education is comparable to a U.S. BSN. CGFNS verifies your transcript, PRC license, and your school's CAV (Certification, Authentication & Verification) from CHED.
- 4
Pass an English proficiency exam
Filipino nurses are usually required to prove English proficiency with IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT, unless your board grants an exemption for English-medium instruction. Book early — scores must be sent directly to the board or CGFNS.
- 5
Register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE
Register for the NCLEX-RN at Pearson VUE and pay the $200 fee. Good news: you can sit the NCLEX in the Philippines (Pearson VUE has a Manila test center) or at any approved international center — you don't have to travel to the U.S. to test.
- 6
Receive your ATT and schedule the exam
Once your chosen board confirms eligibility, you'll get an Authorization to Test (ATT). Use it to schedule your NCLEX-RN at a Pearson VUE center within the validity window (typically ~90 days).
- 7
Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
Sit the NCLEX-RN (computer-adaptive, including Next Generation clinical-judgment items). When you pass, your chosen state board issues your RN license — your gateway credential for working in the U.S.
- 8
Apply for VisaScreen and your U.S. work visa
To actually work in the U.S., foreign healthcare workers need a CGFNS VisaScreen certificate (combining credentials, English, and a passed NCLEX). Most Filipino nurses immigrate on an EB-3 occupational visa, often with U.S. employer sponsorship. Note: priority-date 'retrogression' can make EB-3 wait times long.
Documents Required
- ✓Valid Philippine passport
- ✓PRC RN license / Board Certificate & Rating
- ✓Official Transcript of Records (TOR), sent directly to the board or CGFNS
- ✓Certificate of Authentication & Verification (CAV) from CHED
- ✓Nursing diploma / Certificate of Graduation
- ✓CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) report (if required by your state)
- ✓IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT score report
- ✓NSO/PSA birth certificate and proof of any name change (e.g. marriage certificate)
English Proficiency
Most boards and CGFNS require one of these (minimums vary — verify yours):
| Exam | Overall | Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall | 7.0 speaking |
| TOEFL iBT | 83 total | 26 speaking |
Some boards waive English if your nursing instruction was fully in English. Confirm with your board.
Best States to Start With
These states are commonly recommended for Philippine-educated nurses. You can always endorse your license to another state later (including California).
New York
→No CGFNS or fingerprinting in most cases; very experienced with Filipino applicants.
New Jersey
→Popular endorsement-friendly state with large Filipino nurse community.
Texas
→High nurse demand; clear process (note: jurisprudence exam + fingerprinting).
Illinois
→Accepts the standard CGFNS CES route used by many Philippine grads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the NCLEX in the Philippines?+
Yes. Pearson VUE operates an NCLEX test center in Manila, and you can also test at other approved international centers. You only need to be physically in the U.S. to work — not to take the exam.
Do Filipino nurses need CGFNS?+
It depends on the state. Some states require a CGFNS CES credentials evaluation; others verify your education directly. Separately, almost everyone needs a CGFNS VisaScreen certificate to obtain a U.S. work visa — that's different from the licensing requirement.
Why do nurses avoid applying in California?+
California enforces a 'concurrency' rule requiring nursing theory and the matching clinical rotation to be taught in the same term. Many Philippine programs teach them separately, which can lead to application denials. Filipino nurses often choose states like New York, New Jersey, Texas, or Illinois instead, then endorse to California later if needed.
Do I need to pass IELTS or TOEFL?+
Usually yes. The Philippines is not classified as a country where English is the native language, so most boards (and CGFNS) require IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT. A few boards waive it if your nursing instruction was fully in English — check your specific board.
Is the PRC license required before the NCLEX?+
Most states require it (or your Board Certificate/Rating) to verify you completed a recognized program. Even where it's not strictly required, having an active PRC license strengthens your application and is needed for credential verification.
After I pass, how do I actually move to the U.S.?+
Passing the NCLEX gives you a state RN license. To work in the U.S. you then need a job offer and a work visa — most commonly the EB-3 immigrant visa with employer sponsorship — plus a CGFNS VisaScreen certificate. Visa wait times for the Philippines can be long due to priority-date retrogression.
NCLEX Exam Locations
Where you can take the NCLEX-RN — in the Philippines or abroad.
🇵🇭 Where to take the NCLEX in the Philippines
You can sit the NCLEX-RN right here in Metro Manila — no need to travel to the U.S. There are two Pearson Professional Centers:
Pearson Professional Center — Makati
📍 Makati City, Metro Manila
27th Floor, Trident Tower, 312 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City 1227
Open in Google Maps ↗Pearson Professional Center — Alabang
📍 Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila
11th Floor, One Trium Tower, 6324 Filinvest Avenue, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Open in Google Maps ↗💡 You choose your test center when you schedule with Pearson VUE after you receive your Authorization to Test (ATT). Your RN license is still issued by your chosen U.S. state board — testing in Manila does not change which state you're licensed in.
Prefer to test elsewhere? The NCLEX is also offered in:
Locations are based on the NCSBN international test center list (updated January 2026). Centers can change — confirm the current list and availability on the official NCLEX testing locations page and when you book with Pearson VUE.
Visa Bulletin — Priority Dates
If you're pursuing an employer-sponsored EB-3 visa, check whether your priority date is current.
EB-3 Visa Bulletin — Are you current?
Priority-date cutoffs for the EB-3 (Professional/Skilled Workers) category — the path most international nurses use.
| Country of birth | Final Action Datewhen a green card can be approved | Dates for Filingwhen you can submit the application |
|---|---|---|
| All other countries | Aug 1, 2024 | ✓ Current |
| Philippines🇵🇭 | Aug 1, 2023 | Jan 1, 2024 |
| India | Jan 1, 2014 | Jan 15, 2015 |
| China (mainland) | Dec 22, 2021 | Jan 1, 2022 |
| Mexico | Aug 1, 2024 | ✓ Current |
Check your own priority date
Your priority date is usually the date your employer's I-140 petition (or PERM) was filed. Enter it to see where you stand.
ℹ️ This is an unofficial summary of the EB-3 (3rd Preference) category for the July 2026 bulletin and is for general guidance only — not legal advice. Cutoff dates change every month, USCIS decides which chart (Filing vs. Final Action) applies each month, and individual cases vary. Always confirm with the official Visa Bulletin and a licensed immigration attorney.
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