Visa Screen, Credentials Assessment Certificate in Charleston, SC

All foreign national healthcare workers educated outside of the U.S. who are seeking temporary or permanent visas or a TN visa or NAFTA status are required to provide an International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP) Visa Screen Certificate. It proves to the USCIS, for visa purposes, that the healthcare worker's education, training, licensing, and experience as a non-U.S.-educated healthcare professional have met U.S. standards. It is different from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) certificate needed to take state licensing examinations in the U.S. The following healthcare professionals are covered:

• Audiologists
• Licensed practical nurses
• Medical laboratory technicians
• Medical technicians
• Occupational therapists
• Physician assistants
• Physical therapists
• Registered nurses
• Speech-language pathologists
• Vocational nurses

Certificates are valid for 5 years and cost between $500 and $750; certified transcripts of schooling records and a diploma will be needed. In addition, for a visa, the applicant will need to pass the English as a foreign language examination (TOEFL).