Country guides / United States
How to work as a nurse in the United States
Credentials evaluation, state licensing, the NCLEX-RN, VisaScreen and the EB-3 green card route.
Last checked: 7 Oct 2026
In the US, nurses are licensed by each state board of nursing. Most foreign nurses come on an employer-sponsored green card (EB-3), which can take a long time depending on your country of birth.
The steps
- Choose a state and read its board of nursing rules for foreign-educated nurses.
- Get your credentials evaluated, usually by CGFNS or another service your state accepts.
- Apply to the state board for licensure by exam, then register with Pearson VUE.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN. It is offered at test centres in many countries.
- Pass an English test (IELTS Academic or TOEFL) and get a VisaScreen certificate, which US immigration requires for nurses.
- Find a sponsoring employer. The employer files the immigrant petition (EB-3). You then wait for a visa number before you can move.
Good to know
- Waiting times for EB-3 visas change every month. Check the official Visa Bulletin.
- Many staffing agencies sponsor nurses. Read the contract: some include large "breach" fees if you leave early.
Watch out: No one can guarantee a green card or a date. Be very careful with anyone who asks you to pay to "join the queue".
Official sites
Rules change. Always confirm the details on the official sites linked in this guide before you pay for any exam or application.