Which tests and exams will you need?Which tests and exams will you need?

IELTS

International English Language Testing System

An English test. Nurses almost always need the Academic version, not General Training.

Used in:

CanadaUnited StatesUnited KingdomIrelandAustraliaNew Zealand

Order:

Usually first, because scores expire.

Typical prep:

1 to 3 months

Cost:

see official site

OET

Occupational English Test

An English test written for healthcare workers, using real clinical situations.

Used in:

United StatesUnited KingdomIrelandAustraliaNew Zealand

Order:

Usually first, because scores expire.

Typical prep:

1 to 3 months

Cost:

see official site

CELBAN

Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses

A Canadian English test made specifically for nurses.

Used in:

Canada

Typical prep:

1 to 3 months

Cost:

see official site

TOEFL

Test of English as a Foreign Language

An English test accepted by some boards. Check that your board lists it.

Used in:

United StatesAustralia

Typical prep:

1 to 3 months

Cost:

see official site

PTE

Pearson Test of English Academic

A computer-based English test accepted in Australia.

Used in:

Australia

Typical prep:

1 to 2 months

Cost:

see official site

German B2

German language certificate at level B2

Germany asks nurses to prove German at a professional level, usually B2.

Used in:

Germany

Typical prep:

9 to 18 months

Cost:

see official site

NCLEX-RN

National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses

The licensing exam for registered nurses in the US and Canada. Also used in Australia and New Zealand assessments.

Used in:

United StatesCanadaAustraliaNew Zealand

Order:

After the regulator says you are eligible.

Typical prep:

2 to 4 months

Cost:

see official site

NCLEX-PN

NCLEX for Practical Nurses

The licensing exam for LPNs and LVNs in the US.

Used in:

United States

Typical prep:

2 to 3 months

Cost:

see official site

REx-PN

Regulatory Exam for Practical Nurses

The exam for practical nurses (RPN/LPN) in parts of Canada.

Used in:

Canada

Typical prep:

2 to 3 months

Cost:

see official site

CBT

Computer Based Test (NMC Test of Competence part 1)

The first part of the UK test of competence, a multiple-choice exam.

Used in:

United Kingdom

Order:

Before the OSCE. Often taken from home.

Typical prep:

1 to 2 months

Cost:

see official site

OSCE

Objective Structured Clinical Examination

A practical exam where you show clinical skills at stations, in person.

Used in:

United KingdomAustraliaNew Zealand

Order:

Usually after arriving (UK) or as the final part of assessment.

Typical prep:

2 to 6 weeks

ONZ OSCE

New Zealand competence assessment OSCE

The in-person practical assessment for New Zealand.

Used in:

New Zealand

Typical prep:

2 to 6 weeks

Cost:

see official site

Prometric

Prometric licensing exam

The computer-based nursing exam used by most Gulf regulators.

Used in:

United Arab EmiratesSaudi ArabiaQatarOmanKuwaitBahrain

Order:

Usually after or alongside DataFlow verification.

Typical prep:

1 to 2 months

Cost:

see official site

Kenntnisprüfung or adaptation

Knowledge test or adaptation course

If your training is not fully equivalent, Germany offers a knowledge exam or an adaptation period.

Used in:

Germany

Typical prep:

3 to 12 months

Cost:

see official site

RCSI aptitude test or adaptation

Irish aptitude test or adaptation period

Some nurses complete an aptitude test or supervised adaptation in Ireland.

Used in:

Ireland

Typical prep:

1 to 3 months

Cost:

see official site

NNAS

National Nursing Assessment Service

The Canadian service that collects and reviews your documents before you apply to a province.

Used in:

Canada

Cost:

see official site

CGFNS

CGFNS International (now TruMerit)

Reviews foreign nursing education for many US boards and for the VisaScreen certificate.

Used in:

United States

Cost:

see official site

DataFlow

DataFlow Group primary source verification

Contacts your school and employers directly to confirm your documents are real.

Used in:

United Arab EmiratesSaudi ArabiaQatarOmanKuwaitBahrain

Cost:

see official site