CGFNS Certification Programme

your state requires the CES Professional Report for RN licensure — not the CGFNS Certification Programme. These are two different products, and confusing them is one of the most common costly mistakes IENs make.

Bottom line for your state applicants

Buy the CES Professional Report (~$485). Do not buy the CGFNS Certification Programme (~$495) unless your state’s Board of Nursing or your immigration attorney specifically requires it. They look similar but serve different purposes.

Side-by-side comparison

CES Professional ReportCGFNS Certification Programme
What it isA credential evaluation report verifying your nursing education against US RN standardsA full certification including a qualifying exam (CGFNS-QE) plus credential evaluation
Required for your state?✓ Yes✗ No
Typical cost~$485~$495
Includes an exam?NoYes — includes the CGFNS Qualifying Exam (CGFNS-QE)
Processing time~12 weeks once all docs receivedSeveral months (includes exam scheduling)
Required byMost US states for IEN licensureSome states and certain immigration visa routes

When is the CGFNS Certification Programme actually useful?

  • •If you are applying to a state that explicitly requires it (check the individual state’s BON requirements).
  • •If your immigration lawyer has advised it as part of an EB-3 visa petition (some sponsors prefer it as added proof of qualifications — this is separate from the licensure requirement).
  • •If you plan to apply to multiple states and one of them requires it.

For your state RN by Examination, none of these apply unless your immigration attorney has specifically told you otherwise.

Why this mistake is so common

Both products are sold by the same organization (TruMerit/CGFNS International) and their names look similar. The “CGFNS Certification” sounds more authoritative, so many nurses assume it must be the required one. It is not — for your state, the CES Professional Report is the correct product.

Official sources