International Requirements & Information

TN (TRADE NAFTA) PROFESSIONAL WORKERS FROM CANADA

The TN nonimmigrant classification permits qualified Canadian (and Mexican) citizens to seek temporary entry into the United States to engage in employment. Among the types of professionals who are eligible to seek admission as TN nonimmigrants are Registered Nurses, Accountants, Engineers, Lawyers, Pharmacists, Scientists, and Teachers.

When requesting admission as TN workers at a U.S. port-of entry, Canadian Registered Nurses must provide proof of citizenship, a letter from their prospective U.S., proof of licensing eligibility for the state of intended employment, current VisaScreen certification, a Canadian passport, and certain other documents. Following inspection by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer, an eligible Canadian citizen will be admitted as a TN nonimmigrant with a Form I-94 as evidence of the approved admission. The TN may be granted for up to three years at a time and there is no limit on the number of times a person can apply for extensions. Spouses and children may be granted nonimmigrant status as a NAFTA dependent (TD) and may be admitted to the U.S. but may not work.

VISASCREEN CERTIFICATION

Health Care Worker Certification (commonly called VisaScreen) is required for Registered Nurses and other health professionals to qualify for TN status. VisaScreen verifies that: (1) the worker’s education, training, license and experience are comparable with that required for an American health care worker; (2) the worker is competent in oral and written English (Note that graduates of health profession programs in Canada (except Quebec), are deemed to have met the English language requirements.); (3) the worker’s license is unencumbered; and (4) the worker has passed the state licensing examination (NCLEX) or a predictor examination (CGFNS – we do not recommend the latter for most Canadian nurses). The certificate will be valid for five years and must be renewed unless the holder obtains Green Card or U.S. Citizenship status.

NCLEX

NCLEX-RN is the entry to practice exam for nursing in the U.S. and can be taken in countries outside the U.S., including in Canada. Each state has its own application rules and processes and once NCLEX is passed through any state, it can be used as a basis for licensing in others.

Questions or concerns? Feel free to contact us (make contact us go to scott.ocarroll@prninc.com) or call 888.830.8811.

Nurse Licensure Compact

Welcome Missouri 6.1.2010

All states in blue represent compact states.

The mutual recognition model of nurse licensure allows a nurse to have one license (in his or her state of residency) and to practice in other states, subject to each state's practice law and regulation. Under mutual recognition, a nurse may practice across state lines unless otherwise restricted.

In order to achieve mutual recognition, each state must enact legislation or regulation authorizing the Nurse Licensure Compact. The following map indicates which states have enacted the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Please note that although Rhode Island has enacted the NLC, they have not yet implemented it.