Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 410-2-.03 - Licensure by Examination - Graduates of International Nursing Education Programs (RN)

(1) The Board-recognized licensing examination is the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), for which a passing result must be achieved.
(2) An applicant must pass the licensing examination within a three year period from the date of eligibility for graduates of nursing education programs located outside of the United States.
(3) An applicant whose period of eligibility has expired must reestablish eligibility as a duly qualified applicant by enrolling in and graduating from an approved nursing education program as defined in O.C.G.A. § 43-26-3(1.2).
(4) Applicants for licensure by examination who have graduated from nursing education programs located outside of the United States must submit the following:
(a) A complete application containing data required by the board attesting that all information contained in, or referenced by, the application is complete and accurate and is not false or misleading;
(b) The required application processing fee which is not refundable;
(c) Completed registration as required by the Board to cause the submission of a criminal background check as required by O.C.G.A. § 43-26-7(b)(4);
(d) Verification from the licensing agency of current licensure as a registered nurse in another territory, province, state, district, or country;
(e) Transcripts documenting graduation from a registered nursing education program. Transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified English language translation directly from the school, another licensing board, or the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS);
(f) Credential Evaluation Service Professional Report from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) or the equivalent which verifies that the applicant:
1. Has the educational credentials equivalent to graduation from a governmentally accredited/approved, post-secondary general nursing program of at least two academic years in length;
2. Received both theory and clinical education in each of the following: nursing care of the adult which includes both medical and surgical nursing, maternal/infant nursing, nursing care of children, and psychiatric/mental health nursing;
3. Received initial registration/licensure as a registered nurse in the country where the applicant completed general nursing education; and
4. Is currently licensed as a registered nurse.
(g) Official documentation reflecting the applicant has achieved a minimum score of 550 (paper based), 213 (computer based) or 79 (internet based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam, or passing score on an equivalent exam as determined by the Board, if English is not the native language of the applicant; unless a substantial portion of the applicant's nursing program of study, as determined by the Board, was conducted in English.
(h) Applicants must provide documentation of completion of one of the following options within the four years immediately preceding the date of application:
1. Verification of five hundred (500) hours of licensed practice as a registered nurse in another jurisdiction during the four years immediately preceding the date of application;
2. Graduation from a nursing education program as defined in O.C.G.A. §§ 43-26-3(1.2) or 43-26-7(e); or
3. Verification of completion of a Board approved reentry program as provided in Rule 410-4-.03.
(i) Secure and verifiable documentation of United States citizenship or lawful presence in the United States as required by Georgia law; and
(j) Any additional information requested by the board needed to establish eligibility.
(5) If curricular deficiencies are identified by the Board, an official transcript which documents passing grades in the courses must be submitted by an approved education program.
(6) Requirements for licensure must be complete within the timeframe indicated in the Joint Secretary rules and policies to avoid administrative withdrawal of the application. Any consideration of licensure after that date will require the applicant to submit a new application, new documents, and the appropriate fee. The testing requirement is exempt from this timeframe.
(7) An applicant who passes the licensing examination and is under investigation for possible violation of the Nurse Practice Act may not be issued a license until the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of the Board. The license may be denied or sanctioned despite the applicant meeting all other criteria for licensure.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 410-2-.03
O.C.G.A. §§ 43-1-25, 43-26-2, 43-26-5, 43-26-7, 43-26-61, Article III(c)(3).
Original Rule entitled "Board Functions" was filed and effective on June 30, 1965. Amended: Rule repealed and a new Rule of the same title adopted. Filed November 15, 1966; effective December 4, 1966. Amended: Filed November 24, 1970; effective December 14, 1970. Amended: Rule repealed. Filed March 18, 1976; effective April 7, 1976. Adopted: New rule entitled "Graduates of International Nursing Education Programs (RN)." F. Aug. 24, 2015; eff. Sept. 13, 2015. Amended: F. Oct. 19, 2018; eff. Nov. 8, 2018. Amended: F. July 27, 2023; eff. Aug. 16, 2023.

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