Healthcare

Build Your Healthcare Career in the United States

Registered Nurses

To apply for a Registered Nurse in the US, you must complete one of the following nursing programs:

  • An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which typically takes 2-3 years, is offered at community colleges and some universities.
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which typically takes 4 years. Preferred by many employers, especially hospitals.

If a foreign national is applying to work as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States, then he/she:

  1. Must have completed a nursing program equivalent to US RN education (ADN or BSN), as mentioned above.
  2. Unless educated in an English-speaking country, nurses must pass IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL.
  3. Must apply to a US state board of nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses). Candidates can take the NCLEX-RN in the US or at international testing centers.
  4. Must have a VisaScreen certificate as it verifies education equivalency, licensure, English proficiency, and NCLEX-RN eligibility or passing.

After licensure, RNs can earn certifications in specialties such as Critical Care (CCRN), Emergency Nursing (CEN), Pediatrics (CPN), Oncology (OCN), and Geriatrics, among others.

Physical Therapists

To become a Physical Therapist (PT) in the United States, whether you're a US citizen or an international/foreign student, you must meet rigorous education, licensing, and immigration requirements.

To practice as a PT in the US, one must hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a program accredited by the Commission of Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

  • US students must complete a DPT program, usually of 3 years, after a bachelor's degree.
  • Foreign students studying in the US must apply and be accepted into a CAPTE-accredited DPT program, as well as obtain a student visa and meet English language requirements.
  • Foreign students, educated outside the US must have their foreign degree evaluated to determine equivalency to a US DPT.

Additional Requirements:

  1. All the Physical Therapists must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
  2. After passing the NPTE, you must get licensed in the specific US state where you will practice. Each state has its own board, whereas some states may have additional exams.
  3. International students must pass an English language proficiency test, IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL.
  4. Foreign students must have a VisaScreen certificate.

Medical Technologists

To work as a Medical Technologist (also called Clinical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Laboratory Scientist) in the United States, one must fulfill the following requirements.

Candidates applying to become Medical Technologists in the US must have:

  1. Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, or a related life science field (e.g., microbiology, biology, chemistry). The degree must include coursework in clinical microbiology, hematology, clinical chemistry, laboratory operations, immunology, and blood banking. For foreign-trained applicants, the degree must be evaluated to ensure it is equivalent to a US bachelor's degree in Medical Technology.
  2. Foreign students must pass either the TOEFL iBT or the IELTS English Language Proficiency.
  3. Foreign-Trained MT must obtain VisaScreen Certification that verifies education equivalency, English proficiency, and Certification.
  4. While not federally required, certification (MLS(ASCP) or MT(ASCP) or MT(AMT)) is strongly preferred (and often required) by employers. Some states require a state license to practice, in addition to national certification, such as California, New York, West Virginia, and Florida. They may include additional exams or background checks.