Nursing

Pathway to Utah Licensure for Internationally Trained Nurses

Information for internationally trained nurses seeking licensure as Registered Nurses (RNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Utah with the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). To qualify, applicants must fulfill several requirements. The most important step is obtaining authorization to test and then passing the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examinations, respectively. Please read carefully to ensure you understand all requirements.

Requirements to Receive Authorization to Test | NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN

1. Complete a foreign nurse education program substantially similar to the Utah requirements for Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse programs.

2. Request and submit an evaluation of credentials under the following criteria:

a. If you HAVE NOT been licensed for at least one year in a country outside the U.S., you must submit ONE of the following:

i. TruMerit Credential Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report
ii. TruMerit VisaScreen; OR
iii. Visa4Nurses Certificate from Josef Silny & Associates

b. If you HAVE been licensed for at least one year in a country outside the U.S., you may use one of the three options listed above, OR:

i. Have your educational and license/registration credentials professionally evaluated by one of the following DOPL-approved member organizations of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES):

1. The Evaluation Company
2. Josef Silny & Associates
3. International Education Evaluations
4. Institute of Foreign Credential Services
5. Education Records Evaluation Services
6. Educational Perspectives

If your education’s language of instruction was not English, you must also provide passing scores on one of the following English exams. Please have the exam administrator send the score directly to DOPL at [email protected] or include the score in your credential evaluation report.

TOEFL

● Overall Score: 83
● Speaking Score: 26

IELTS

Overall Score: 6.5
Speaking Score: 7.0

Cambridge

Overall: 175
Speaking: 185

TOEIC

Listening and Reading 725
Speaking/ Writing: 160/150

Michigan English Test

Overall: 55
Speaking: 55

Occupational English Test (OET)

Reading, Writing, and Listening: 300
Speaking: 350

Pearson PTE Academic

Overall: 55
Reading, listening, and writing: 50
Speaking: 63

After completing steps 1 and 2, you will need to apply for authorization to test for the NCLEX from DOPL. You can apply online at dopl.utah.gov/nursing/exam-information/. This application is separate from the license application and is free of charge. You will also be asked to submit the following documents.

Documentation required:

Proof of Identity: SSN, A-number, or ITIN.
Proof of lawful presence in the U.S.: driver’s license or State ID, or other immigration documents.
English Exam Scores (if applicable).
Credentials Evaluation.

After approval from DOPL, you will get an email from Pearson View with information on how to schedule your NCLEX exam. The registration fee is $200. If you do not pass the NCLEX, you must wait 45 days after the last exam attempt before you can retake the test.

For more information on how to schedule your NCLEX exam and how to prepare for the NCLEX, visit www.nclex.com and the DOPL Exam Information Page.

Do you have questions?

If you are uncertain about which license type you should apply for, read and understand the scope of practice for each license in state law 58-31b-102.
If you would like personalized assistance, please fill out our contact form and a DOPL staff member will follow up with you. You can also email us at [email protected].
Click here to learn more about the Internationally-Trained Applicant Credentialing Program and to read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Watch our brief explainer webinar.