04 August 2010
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has announced that it approves PTE Academic as a measure of English language ability for determining if nurses are eligible to take U.S. nursing licensure exams.
Anticipating high levels of use for PTE Academic, NCSBN conducted a standard-setting study in 2009 to determine a PTE Academic minimal passing standard for internationally educated nurses applying to take its licensure exams. To demonstrate the English proficiency skills necessary to perform entry-level nursing duties safely and effectively, NCSBN recommends that test takers achieve an overall score of 55 on PTE Academic and a minimum score of 50 on each skill measured on the test (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing). This recommendation is consistent with the NCSBN policy on international nurse immigration.
"With the number of internationally educated nurses seeking licensure in the United States, it is critical that NCSBN take the lead in establishing a standard for English language ability for candidates and work with our members to implement it," said Casey Marks, Chief Operating Officer, NCSBN.
"PTE Academic provides our members with another powerful tool for ensuring that the nurses seeking licensure have the English language abilities necessary to practice their profession safely in this country," added Marks.
PTE Academic delivers real-life measures of test takers' language proficiency to universities, higher education institutions, government departments and other organizations requiring academic English. The test is designed to accurately assess the ability of test takers to function in an English-speaking academic environment.
"Nursing is among numerous professions where it is critical that professionals have the written and spoken language skills necessary to provide safe and effective care," commented Mark Anderson, President, Global Strategy and Business Development, Pearson Education International. "Acceptance by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing is yet another demonstration of the rapidly growing recognition of PTE Academic and the critical need it is filling for organizations around the world that need an accurate measure of English language ability."
"Setting an English Language Proficiency Passing Standard for Entry-Level Nursing Practice Using the Pearson Test of English Academic," a NCSBN NCLEX Technical Brief, can be found on the NCSBN website at https://www.ncsbn.org/1233.htm
About the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide a structure through which boards of nursing act and counsel together on matters of common interest and concern affecting public health, safety and welfare, including the development of licensing examinations in nursing. Its members include the boards of nursing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories -- American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands.