The United States has been a top destination for Filipino nurses for generations. The route is longer and more expensive than the UK or Gulf, and it has one feature that surprises many people: there is no single national nursing licence. Each US state has its own Board of Nursing, and you sit one national exam, the NCLEX-RN, to get licensed by a state.
This guide sets out the steps in order with official fees, all checked on 31 Oct 2026. US immigration fees and waiting times change often, so open each link before you pay.
Quick summary
| Stage | Who runs it | Official fee (checked 31 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials evaluation | TruMerit (formerly CGFNS) or another board-approved evaluator | CES Professional Report $485; TruMerit Certification Program $495 (TruMerit fees) |
| State Board of Nursing application | The state you choose | Check the official site for your state |
| NCLEX-RN registration | NCSBN / Pearson VUE | $200, plus $150 international scheduling fee and VAT where applicable (NCLEX fees) |
| VisaScreen certificate | TruMerit | $740 (TruMerit fees) |
| I-140 immigrant petition | USCIS, filed by your employer | $700 filing fee (USCIS I-140); other USCIS fees may apply |
| Immigrant visa application | US Department of State | $345 per person (State Department fees) |
Fee change ahead: NCLEX says that from 1 February 2027 its registration fee rises to $350 in the US (NCLEX fees). If you are close to ready, registering before then saves money.
Step 1: Pick a state
Each State Board of Nursing sets its own rules on credentials evaluation, English proficiency, and whether you need a US Social Security number before applying. TruMerit has state-by-state pages, for example Virginia and Utah, and NCSBN links to every board at ncsbn.org.
Many employers who sponsor Filipino nurses have a preferred state. If you already have an employer in mind, ask which board they want you licensed in before you start.
Step 2: Credentials evaluation
Most boards want an independent review of your BSN education and PRC licence. TruMerit says many State Boards of Nursing require you to apply to it first (TruMerit US steps). Depending on the state, you will order either:
- Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report: $485
- TruMerit (CGFNS) Certification Program: $495, which includes the TruMerit qualifying exam and an English component. Some states require this exam before NCLEX.
Fees from the TruMerit fee schedule. Your school and PRC send records directly to TruMerit, so request them early.
Step 3: Apply to the State Board and register for the NCLEX-RN
Once your board approves you, it makes you eligible to test. In parallel, you register with Pearson VUE:
- Register online or by phone. Your first and last name must exactly match the ID you bring on test day.
- Your NCLEX registration stays open for 365 days while waiting for the board to make you eligible. If that does not happen in time, NCLEX says you lose the registration and the fee (NCLEX registration).
- When you are eligible you receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email. You must test within the dates shown on it.
Testing in the Philippines. NCLEX lists the Philippines among its 19 international testing countries (testing locations). Testing outside the US adds the $150 international scheduling fee plus VAT where applicable.
The exam. Under the RN test plan effective April 2026, you answer a minimum of 85 and a maximum of 150 items, within five hours including breaks (2026 RN test plan).
Step 4: English test and VisaScreen
Federal law requires foreign-educated nurses entering on an occupational visa to complete a health care worker screening. TruMerit's VisaScreen satisfies this, and the certificate must be included with every visa or green card petition filed for you (VisaScreen).
- Fee: $740 (fee schedule)
- Nursing knowledge: you show either an NCLEX-RN pass or the TruMerit qualifying exam
- English: VisaScreen accepts IELTS Academic, OET and TOEFL iBT, but not at-home versions. The exemption covers only nurses educated in the UK, Australia, Canada (except Quebec), New Zealand, Ireland or the US, so Philippine-educated nurses normally need a test. TruMerit updated its score table on 12 May 2026; check the official site for the current minimum scores for registered nurses, as we could not read the table when we checked.
- Processing: TruMerit says 90% of certificates are issued within 3.5 business days once all documents are received and validated.
Step 5: Employer petition and green card
Most Filipino nurses enter the US with an immigrant visa (green card) sponsored by an employer, often under the employment-based third preference (EB-3). TruMerit also mentions H-1B, which is less common for staff nurses.
The broad process:
- Your employer files Form I-140 with USCIS. The filing fee shown on the USCIS form page is $700; check USCIS for any additional fees that apply (USCIS I-140).
- You wait for your priority date to become current. The State Department's monthly Visa Bulletin shows which priority dates can move forward. Waiting times for the Philippines vary and can be long; check the current Visa Bulletin rather than relying on any figure an agent quotes.
- You complete the immigrant visa application and pay $345 per person (fees), then attend your interview at the US Embassy in Manila.
- DMW processing. Before you leave, complete Overseas Filipino Worker processing with the Department of Migrant Workers. Philippine rules generally require deployment through a licensed agency, with limited exemptions (DMW direct hiring FAQ).
Typical timeline
| Stage | Official guide | Planning range |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials evaluation | Depends on document arrival | 1 to 4 months |
| Board approval and ATT | Varies by state | Weeks to months |
| NCLEX preparation and pass | No official figure | 2 to 6 months |
| VisaScreen | 3.5 business days for 90% after documents validated | Weeks, mostly waiting for documents |
| I-140 to visa interview | Depends on Visa Bulletin | Often well over a year |
The visa queue, not the exams, is usually the longest part.
Scam warning
- No job guarantees for a fee. A legitimate US employer pays for its own petition. Be very careful of anyone who wants large upfront payments "to secure a slot" or to "speed up" your priority date. Nobody can move your place in the Visa Bulletin.
- Licensed agencies only. DMW advises dealing only with licensed agencies at their registered office and confirming a real job order exists (DMW). The placement fee rules for the Philippines are set by DMW; check the current rules on the official site.
- Read contracts slowly. Some US staffing contracts include large "breach" fees if you leave early. Get the contract in writing and ask questions before signing.
- No proxy testing or bought results. Licensing boards and TruMerit verify results at the source.
- Tourist visa offers are a red flag. You cannot work as a nurse on a visitor visa.
Run any agency through our free fake-agent checker.
Practise free
NurseFlyAbroad is free for nurses, always. Try our NCLEX-style clinical cases and English practice, then download a free PDF report card.
FAQ
Can I take the NCLEX in Manila? The Philippines is one of the 19 countries with international NCLEX test centres. You pay a $150 international scheduling fee on top of the registration fee.
Do I need IELTS if I studied nursing in English in the Philippines? Usually yes for VisaScreen. Its exemption is based on where you were educated, and only a short list of countries qualifies. The Philippines is not on it. Your state board may have its own rules too.
How long does the green card take for Filipino nurses? It depends on the State Department's Visa Bulletin, which changes monthly. Check the current bulletin rather than relying on an agent's estimate.
Sources (checked 31 Oct 2026)
- NCSBN / NCLEX: Fees and payment, Registration, Testing locations, 2026 RN test plan
- TruMerit (CGFNS): Fee schedule, VisaScreen, How to work as a nurse in the US
- US Government: USCIS I-140, State Department visa fees, Visa Bulletin
- Philippines: DMW, DMW direct hiring FAQ