Nurses Certification Under IIRAIRA
Prior to May 1998

The Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CFFNS) has informed INS of its intention to begin issuing certifications pursuant to section 343 of IIRAIRA on August 25, 1997. To summarize, Section 343 provides that health care workers must be proficient in English and that their education be equivalent to U.S.-trained health care workers.

The INS will not accept any certifications issued by CGFNS or any equivalent independent credentialing organization prior to the promulgation of INS regulations implementing section 343 of IIRAIRA. Additional INS instructions will be provided at such time as the appropriate certification procedures have been put in place.