CGFNS Credential Evaluation: Processing Times, Alternatives, and What Nobody Tells You
CGFNS (now operating as TruMerit) evaluates whether your foreign nursing degree meets US state board standards. Standard processing is 10-12 weeks at $485; expedited adds $425 and takes about 4 weeks. CGFNS is the only evaluator accepted by all 50 states. Josef Silny & Associates is accepted by 34 state boards and costs $400 with 10-day standard processing — but New York requires CGFNS specifically and California does not accept Josef Silny for RN licensure.
What Is the CGFNS CES?
CES stands for Credential Evaluation Service. It is the step where a third-party organization reviews your foreign nursing education and license and produces a report confirming whether your credentials are equivalent to US nursing standards. State boards use this report before they will authorize you to sit for the NCLEX.
CGFNS International is the dominant provider. In 2024 it rebranded under the name TruMerit, though the underlying service and process remain the same. The official sites are cgfns.org and trumerit.com.
Do not confuse the CES with the CGFNS Certification Program or VisaScreen. They are separate products with separate fees. The distinction is explained below.
Processing Times and Costs
| Option | Processing Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard CES Professional Report | 10-12 weeks | $485 | Stated estimate; can take longer during high demand |
| Expedited CES | ~4 weeks | $910 ($485 + $425 expedite) | Priority processing add-on |
| CGFNS Certification Program | Additional process (timeline varies) | $495 | Required by some states, not all |
Source: CGFNS/TruMerit fee schedule 2026.
CGFNS processing backed up to 9 months in high-demand periods. This is documented in AllNurses community threads from 2024. The stated 10-12 week timeline is a minimum estimate under normal conditions, not a guarantee.
If a job offer or recruitment agency has given you a timeline that assumes 10-12 week processing, ask them directly whether they have seen delays in the past 12 months. The answer matters for your start date math.
CES Provider Comparison
CGFNS is not the only organization that issues credential evaluations accepted for nursing licensure. The table below compares the main options. CGFNS (TruMerit) is the only provider accepted by all 50 states.
| Provider | Processing Time | CES Report Cost | States That Accept It |
|---|---|---|---|
| CGFNS (TruMerit) | 10–12 wks standard; ~4 wks expedited | $485 / $910 expedited | All 50 states + DC |
| Josef Silny & Associates | 10 business days standard; 5-day rush available (+$200) | $400 | 34 state boards confirmed (per Josef Silny, April 2026) — see full list below. NY and CA (RN) do NOT accept it. |
| ERES (Educational Records Evaluation Service) | 3–6 weeks | ~$480 | ~19 states including TX, FL, IL, CO, OR |
| IEE (International Education Evaluations) | 2–4 weeks | $250–$375 | ~16 states including CO, FL, MT, SC, WA |
| WES (World Education Services) | 3–7 weeks | $205–$295 | NOT accepted for RN licensure by most state boards — WES is designed for academic credential recognition, not nursing licensure |
Sources: Josef Silny & Associates nursing application (April 2026); Texas BON CES page; Illinois BON; South Carolina BON; Alabama BON; Pennsylvania BON approved evaluator list (April 2025). Always confirm directly with your state board before submitting — acceptance policies change.
Which States Accept Josef Silny for Nursing?
Josef Silny & Associates states it is approved by 34 state boards of nursing (as of April 2026). This is the most complete compiled list available — no state BON aggregator publishes this information centrally. Sources are noted per state.
Two high-stakes traps to know before you apply
- New York: NY does not accept Josef Silny. NY requires the CGFNS Credential Verification Service (CVS) — a specific CGFNS product, not just any NACES-member evaluator. If New York is your target state, CGFNS is mandatory.
- California (RN): Josef Silny is accepted by California for vocational nursing (LVN) only — not for registered nurse (RN) licensure. California RN applicants must use CGFNS, ERES, or IERF.
| State | Accepted? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | RNs and LPNs, by exam and endorsement |
| Arizona | Yes | |
| Arkansas | Yes | |
| California (RN) | No | Josef Silny accepted for LVN only — NOT for RN licensure |
| Colorado | Yes | |
| District of Columbia | Yes | |
| Florida | Yes | Multiple evaluators accepted; JS&A confirmed on FL BON official list |
| Hawaii | Yes | |
| Idaho | Yes | |
| Illinois | Yes | Confirmed on official IL BON page alongside CGFNS, ERES, SpanTran |
| Indiana | Yes | |
| Kentucky | Yes | JS&A has a Kentucky-specific nursing application (updated July 2025) |
| Louisiana | Yes | |
| Massachusetts | Yes | |
| Michigan | Yes | |
| Missouri | Yes | |
| Montana | Yes | |
| Nebraska | Yes | |
| Nevada | Yes | |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Endorsement (existing RN license) ONLY — not for initial exam applicants |
| New Mexico | Yes | |
| New York | No | Requires CGFNS Credential Verification Service (CVS) specifically — no alternative accepted |
| North Dakota | Yes | |
| Ohio | Yes | |
| Oklahoma | Yes | |
| Oregon | Yes | |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Added January 20, 2023 at PA Board meeting; confirmed on PA BON approved evaluator list |
| South Carolina | Yes | Confirmed on official SC BON page alongside CGFNS and ~12 others |
| Texas | Yes | Confirmed on TX BON CES page alongside CGFNS and ERES |
| Utah | Yes | |
| Vermont | Yes | |
| Virginia | Yes | |
| Washington | Yes | |
| Wyoming | Yes |
Source: Josef Silny & Associates nursing application document (April 2026); official state BON pages for AL, FL, IL, PA, SC, TX. States not listed above (GA, MD, MN, CT, WI, and others) have not been confirmed — verify directly with your BON before submitting a non-CGFNS evaluation.
Last verified: June 2026.
Documents Required: Philippines
Philippines nurses make up the largest group of internationally educated NCLEX takers — 28,112 in 2024 with a 51.7% first-time pass rate. Document requirements from CGFNS for Philippines applicants:
- PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) nursing license
- Nursing school transcript (official, sealed)
- Transcript of Records (TOR)
- NSO/PSA-authenticated birth certificate
- Valid passport copy
CGFNS will contact your nursing school and the PRC directly to verify credentials. This verification step is where most Philippines delays originate — if your school is slow to respond, your application stalls. Follow up with your school's registrar as soon as you submit.
Documents Required: India
India had approximately 2,100 NCLEX takers in 2024 with a 40.5% pass rate. CGFNS document requirements for Indian nurses:
- NMC (National Medical Commission) registered degree certificate
- Nursing Council of India (NCI) or State Nursing Council registration
- Official nursing school transcripts
NMC verification is a documented delay point for Indian nurses. Build extra time into your application timeline.
Documents Required: Nigeria
Nigeria had approximately 1,100 NCLEX takers in 2024 with a 48.5% pass rate. Required documents:
- NMCN (Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria) license
- Nursing school transcript
- NMCN verification letter
Source: NCSBN 2024 NCLEX Examination Statistics.
CES vs. Certification Program vs. VisaScreen
These three CGFNS products are frequently confused. They are separate services, each with its own fee.
CES (Credential Evaluation Service) — $485
Evaluates your degree equivalency. Required by all states before you can apply to sit for the NCLEX. This is the step most nurses start with.
CGFNS Certification Program — $495
An additional CGFNS credential program on top of the CES. Required by some states, not all. Texas does not require it. New York does. Check with your specific state board before paying for this.
VisaScreen — $740 standard / $1,390 with priority
A separate CGFNS product required for immigration purposes — specifically for obtaining an occupational visa (such as EB-3 or H-1B). You apply for VisaScreen after passing the NCLEX, not at this stage. Do not pay for VisaScreen before you need it.
Source: CGFNS/TruMerit fee schedule 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does CGFNS take in 2026?
The official estimate is 10-12 weeks for standard processing. AllNurses community threads from 2024 document waits of 6-9 months during backlog periods. Plan for the longer end. If your application involves a state board with an impending deadline, consider the expedited option ($425 extra, approximately 4 weeks).
Can I use Josef Silny instead of CGFNS?
Yes — in 34 state boards confirmed by Josef Silny as of April 2026. Josef Silny processes reports in 10 business days at $400 (versus CGFNS's 10–12 weeks at $485), and offers a 5-day rush for $200 extra. However, New York requires CGFNS specifically, and California only accepts Josef Silny for vocational nursing (LVN) — not for RN licensure. See the full state table above.
What documents does CGFNS need from Philippines nurses?
PRC nursing license, official sealed nursing school transcript, Transcript of Records (TOR), NSO/PSA-authenticated birth certificate, and a valid passport copy. CGFNS will also contact your school and the PRC directly to verify, which is the most common source of delays.
What is the CGFNS Certification Program — do I need it?
It depends on your target state. The Certification Program is an additional CGFNS product ($495) beyond the standard CES ($485). Texas does not require it. New York does. Check your specific state board website before applying.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: CGFNS/TruMerit fee schedule 2026; NCSBN 2024 NCLEX Examination Statistics; AllNurses community documentation.
Once your CGFNS evaluation is submitted, the next step is NCLEX preparation. Pass rates for internationally educated nurses average 53.81% — well below the 91.16% US-educated baseline. Preparation matters more than most nurses expect.
NCLEX Prep Guide →