How to Become a US Nurse from Kenya: 2026 Guide
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: NCSBN 2024 NCLEX Examination Statistics; DOS Visa Bulletin June 2026
Kenyan nurses have the highest first-time NCLEX pass rate of any internationally educated cohort — 69.1% in 2024 (NCSBN). Approximately 800 Kenyan nurses took the NCLEX in 2024. The EB-3 wait falls under "All Other Countries" (current priority date: June 1, 2024), shorter than the Philippines and far shorter than India.
Key Numbers
Source: NCSBN 2024 NCLEX Examination Statistics; DOS Visa Bulletin June 2026.
Why Kenyan Nurses Pass the NCLEX at the Highest Rate
The 69.1% first-time pass rate for Kenyan nurses is not widely discussed in recruitment circles, but it is reproducible across NCSBN data. For context: the overall internationally educated average is 53.81%, and the Philippines — by far the largest cohort at 28,112 takers — passed at 51.7%. Kenyan nurses passed at a rate 17 percentage points higher than the international average and only 22 points below the US-educated baseline of 91.16%.
The cause is not definitively established. Kenya's nursing education is English-medium, with programs that emphasize clinical decision-making. The NCLEX's Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format, introduced in April 2023, tests clinical judgment directly. It is plausible that clinical breadth in Kenyan training maps well to the NGN's Clinical Judgment Measurement Model — but this is inference from the data, not a confirmed finding.
What is certain: a 69.1% pass rate means roughly 7 in 10 Kenyan nurses pass on the first attempt. That is a materially better starting position than most internationally educated cohorts.
| Country / Group | First-Time Pass Rate (2024) | Takers |
|---|---|---|
| US-educated nurses | 91.16% | 155,028 |
| Kenya | 69.1% | ~800 |
| Nepal | 61.6% | ~700 |
| International average | 53.81% | 42,954 |
| Philippines | 51.7% | 28,112 |
| Nigeria | 48.5% | ~1,100 |
| India | 40.5% | ~2,100 |
Source: NCSBN 2024 NCLEX Examination Statistics.
NCK Documents Required for CGFNS
CGFNS (operating as TruMerit) contacts the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) directly as part of its credential evaluation. These are the documents required for Kenyan nurses:
- NCK (Nursing Council of Kenya) practicing license (current and valid)
- Official nursing school transcript sent directly from the school to CGFNS
- NCK verification — CGFNS contacts NCK directly to confirm the license
- Valid passport copy
CGFNS standard processing is 10-12 weeks at $485. An expedited option adds $425 and takes approximately 4 weeks. The total timeline depends partly on how quickly NCK responds to CGFNS's verification request. Contact your nursing school registrar as soon as you submit the application to confirm they have received the transcript request from CGFNS.
English Language Requirements
Kenyan nursing education is conducted in English. Most US state boards and CGFNS VisaScreen exempt Kenyan nurses from IELTS or TOEFL on this basis. The exemption saves roughly $250-$300 in testing fees and eliminates that preparation time from the timeline.
State board policies vary. A small number of boards apply English testing requirements regardless of the language of nursing instruction. Confirm with your specific target state board before assuming you are exempt.
EB-3 Green Card Timeline for Kenyan Nurses
Kenya falls under "All Other Countries" in the EB-3 employment-based visa category. 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) |
| Kenya (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. Retrogression moves the priority date backward, which extends the wait. If you are timing an EB-3 petition, monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin — priority date movement is unpredictable.
The Core Steps for Kenyan Nurses
- 1.CGFNS Credential Evaluation ($485 standard / $910 expedited). Submit your NCK license, school transcripts, and CGFNS will contact NCK for verification. Account for NCK response time when planning your overall timeline.
- 2.State Board Application. Apply to your target state with the CGFNS CES report. Some states also require the CGFNS Certification Program ($495). Check your specific state board before assuming you only need the CES.
- 3.NCLEX Registration ($200 + $150 international surcharge). Register through Pearson VUE after receiving authorization to test (ATT) from your state board.
- 4.Pass the NCLEX. At 69.1%, Kenyan nurses have the strongest first-time pass rate of any international cohort. NGN-specific preparation is still recommended — the exam format changed substantially in April 2023.
- 5.VisaScreen ($740 standard). After passing NCLEX, apply for CGFNS VisaScreen. Required for EB-3 and H-1B immigration processing.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NCLEX pass rate for Kenyan nurses?
69.1% first-time pass rate in 2024, based on approximately 800 Kenyan test-takers (NCSBN 2024 NCLEX Examination Statistics). This is the highest pass rate of any internationally educated cohort. The international average is 53.81% and the US-educated baseline is 91.16%.
What documents does CGFNS need from Kenyan nurses?
CGFNS requires your NCK (Nursing Council of Kenya) practicing license, official nursing school transcript sent directly from your school to CGFNS, NCK verification (CGFNS contacts NCK directly to confirm your license), and a valid passport copy.
Do Kenyan nurses need IELTS for the NCLEX?
Most state boards exempt Kenyan nurses from IELTS because Kenyan nursing education is conducted in English. This is not universal — some boards apply language testing requirements regardless of instruction language. Confirm directly with your target state board before assuming you are exempt.
How long does EB-3 take for Kenyan nurses?
Kenyan nurses fall under "All Other Countries" for EB-3. The current priority date is June 1, 2024 (as of the DOS Visa Bulletin June 2026). For petitions filed today, the estimated wait is roughly 1-2 years under current movement rates. The DOS has warned retrogression is possible in coming months.
Kenyan nurses enter the NCLEX with the strongest pass rate of any international cohort. The main bottleneck is typically the CGFNS credential evaluation timeline and the EB-3 petition process.