How to Become a US Nurse from Ghana: 2026 Guide
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: NCSBN 2024 NCLEX Examination Statistics; DOS Visa Bulletin June 2026
Approximately 350 Ghanaian nurses took the NCLEX in 2024 with a 47.2% first-time pass rate — below the international average of 53.81%. Ghana falls under "All Other Countries" for EB-3 (current priority date: June 1, 2024), giving Ghanaian nurses a shorter wait than the Philippines and far shorter than India.
Key Numbers
Source: NCSBN 2024 NCLEX Examination Statistics; DOS Visa Bulletin June 2026.
NCLEX Pass Rate: What 47.2% Means
At 47.2%, Ghanaian nurses passed below the international average of 53.81% and well below the US-educated baseline of 91.16%. Roughly 1 in 2 Ghanaian nurses sitting the NCLEX in 2024 did not pass on the first attempt.
The primary explanation for the gap between international nurses and US-educated nurses is not clinical competence — it is format familiarity. The NCLEX changed in April 2023 to the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), which introduced six new question types built around the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model. Nurses trained on curricula designed before 2023, or using outdated prep materials, encounter question formats they have not practiced.
NGN-specific preparation is the direct lever available. Ghanaian nurses have access to the same preparation courses used by every internationally educated nurse — Kaplan, UWorld, Archer Review. Any course you use must be built specifically for the NGN format.
| Country / Group | First-Time Pass Rate (2024) | Takers |
|---|---|---|
| US-educated nurses | 91.16% | 155,028 |
| Kenya | 69.1% | ~800 |
| International average | 53.81% | 42,954 |
| Philippines | 51.7% | 28,112 |
| Nigeria | 48.5% | ~1,100 |
| Ghana | 47.2% | ~350 |
| India | 40.5% | ~2,100 |
Source: NCSBN 2024 NCLEX Examination Statistics.
GNMC Documents Required for CGFNS
CGFNS (operating as TruMerit) contacts Ghanaian regulatory authorities directly as part of the credential evaluation process. The relevant body for Ghanaian nurses is the Ghana Nursing and Midwifery Council (GNMC). These are the documents CGFNS requires:
- GNMC (Ghana Nursing and Midwifery Council) practicing license (current and valid)
- Official nursing school transcript sent directly from the school to CGFNS
- GNMC verification letter confirming the license is valid and in good standing
- Valid passport copy
CGFNS standard processing is 10-12 weeks at $485. An expedited option adds $425 and reduces this to approximately 4 weeks. The actual timeline depends partly on how quickly GNMC responds to CGFNS's verification request. Contact your school's registrar as soon as you submit to confirm they have received the transcript request.
English Language Requirements
Ghanaian nursing education is conducted in English. Most US state boards and CGFNS VisaScreen exempt Ghanaian nurses from IELTS or TOEFL on this basis, saving the testing fee (roughly $250-$300) and eliminating that preparation from the timeline.
State board policies vary. A small number apply English testing requirements regardless of the language of nursing instruction. Confirm with your specific target state board before assuming you are exempt. Do not pay for IELTS before you have confirmed it is required for your state.
EB-3 Green Card Timeline for Ghanaian Nurses
Ghana falls under "All Other Countries" in the EB-3 employment-based category — not subject to the per-country caps that affect India and the Philippines. As of the June 2026 Visa Bulletin, the priority date for All Other Countries is June 1, 2024.
| Country / Category | EB-3 Priority Date (Jun 2026) | Approximate Wait (new petitions) |
|---|---|---|
| India | December 15, 2013 | 10+ years |
| Philippines | August 1, 2023 | 3-5 years (estimated) |
| Ghana (All Other Countries) | June 1, 2024 | 1-2 years (estimated) |
Source: DOS Visa Bulletin June 2026.
The DOS June 2026 Visa Bulletin warned that EB-3 "All Other Countries" may retrogress in coming months. A retrogression moves the priority date backward and extends the wait for nurses whose petitions have not yet reached a visa interview stage. Monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin if you are timing a petition filing.
The Core Steps for Ghanaian Nurses
- 1.CGFNS Credential Evaluation ($485 standard / $910 expedited). Submit your GNMC license, school transcripts, and GNMC verification letter. CGFNS will contact GNMC directly to verify. Account for GNMC response time in your planning.
- 2.State Board Application. Apply to your target state board with the CGFNS CES report. Some states also require the CGFNS Certification Program ($495). Confirm your specific state board's requirements before applying.
- 3.NCLEX Registration ($200 + $150 international surcharge). Register through Pearson VUE after receiving your authorization to test (ATT) from the state board.
- 4.Pass the NCLEX. The 47.2% first-time pass rate is below the international average. NGN-specific preparation — using courses built for the post-April 2023 format — is the primary way to improve those odds.
- 5.VisaScreen ($740 standard). After passing NCLEX, apply for CGFNS VisaScreen. Required for EB-3 and H-1B immigration processing. Do not pay for this before passing.
- 6.EB-3 Petition (employer-sponsored).Your US employer files an I-140 petition. The "All Other Countries" priority date is currently June 1, 2024.
Type Investigations documented in 2023 that nurses from West Africa — including Ghana — were among those charged upfront recruitment fees of $8,000 or more, with contract breach penalties of up to $30,000. Legitimate US healthcare employers do not charge nurses placement fees. The employer pays the agency.
Any agency requesting upfront payment or presenting contracts with large breach clauses should be treated as a serious warning sign. Read the agency risk guide before signing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NCLEX pass rate for Ghanaian nurses?
47.2% first-time pass rate in 2024, based on approximately 350 Ghanaian test-takers (NCSBN 2024 NCLEX Examination Statistics). This is below the international average of 53.81% and well below the US-educated baseline of 91.16%. NGN-specific preparation is the direct lever to improve these odds.
What documents does CGFNS need from Ghanaian nurses?
CGFNS requires your GNMC (Ghana Nursing and Midwifery Council) practicing license, an official nursing school transcript sent directly from your school, a GNMC verification letter confirming your license status, and a valid passport copy. CGFNS contacts GNMC directly as part of verification.
Do Ghanaian nurses need IELTS for the NCLEX?
Most state boards exempt Ghanaian nurses from IELTS because Ghanaian nursing education is conducted in English. The exemption is not universal — a small number of state boards apply English testing requirements regardless. Confirm with your specific target state board before assuming you are exempt.
How long does EB-3 take for Ghanaian nurses?
Ghanaian nurses fall under "All Other Countries" for EB-3. The current priority date is June 1, 2024 (DOS Visa Bulletin, June 2026). For petitions filed today, the estimated wait is roughly 1-2 years under current movement rates — shorter than the Philippines (3-5 years estimated) and far shorter than India (10+ years). The DOS has warned that retrogression is possible in coming months.
The CGFNS credential evaluation is the first major step. NCLEX preparation can run in parallel. At 47.2%, NCLEX prep matters — use courses built for the NGN format.