Sample roadmap
Internationally-Trained Nurse → US Registered Nurse
The full credentialing path for nurses educated outside the United States, mapped for California licensure — CGFNS evaluation, English proficiency, NCLEX-RN, and VisaScreen. Includes the concurrency requirement that trips up most foreign-educated applicants.
Target
Registered Nurse (US Licensed)
Duration
18 mo – 4+ yrs
Difficulty
Advanced
Paths
2 options
You are outside the US and need employer sponsorship and an immigrant visa. The licensure work is the same — but the visa wait is usually the longest step, and it is largely outside your control.
Credential Evaluation
Prove your education meets US standards
Approx
26w
certification
CGFNS Course-by-Course CES Report
checkpoint
Verify the Concurrency Requirement
certification
English Proficiency Exam
skill
Remediation Coursework (if deficient)
NCLEX & Licensure
Board application and the licensure exam
Approx
26w
checkpoint
Apply to the California BRN
checkpoint
Fingerprint & Background Clearance
checkpoint
Register with Pearson VUE & Receive ATT
skill
NCLEX-RN Preparation (Next Gen format)
certification
Pass the NCLEX-RN
Visa & Immigration
VisaScreen, sponsorship, and priority date
Approx
104w
certification
CGFNS VisaScreen Certificate
experience
Secure Employer Sponsorship
checkpoint
Priority Date & Retrogression Wait
checkpoint
Consular Processing & Visa Interview
First US Role
Onboarding into American nursing practice
Approx
16w
certification
BLS for Healthcare Providers
experience
Nurse Residency / Transition Program
experience
First US RN Position
This is a sample.
Yours will be personalized.
Our AI takes your exact starting point — your education, skills, location, and availability — and builds a roadmap tailored to you.