Pearson announced on 22 June 2022 that the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the US Department of Health and Human Services, had added PTE to its list of approved English language tests for foreign healthcare workers.
Key facts
- Announced 22 June 2022
- Approved by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
- Who Seven non-physician health professions, including RNs and LPNs
- Verification Added to CGFNS International's system
Who it covers
The approval covers seven non-physician health professions, including registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses, and clinical and medical technicians. People in these professions need their credentials checked before they can get an occupational visa, and CGFNS International is the organisation the US Department of Homeland Security has approved to do that. PTE Academic has been added to CGFNS’s system so results can be verified.
Pearson also said that US state boards of nursing which recognise the test for licensing can now use it.
What the announcement leaves out
The release does not give minimum scores or a formal effective date for the HRSA approval. Score requirements are set separately and can differ for each profession and each state board.
What this means
If you are a nurse or allied health professional aiming for the United States, check with CGFNS which PTE Academic scores it needs for your profession, and check with the board of nursing in the state where you want to be licensed whether it accepts PTE. Book PTE Academic at a test centre; at the time of the announcement Pearson had 87 centres in the US and more than 380 in 115 countries. Keep your score report reference handy so CGFNS and the board can verify your result.