What Is the Healthcare Worker Certification?

If you are a foreign-trained healthcare professional seeking to work in the United States, there is one immigration requirement that is often overlooked, which is the healthcare worker certification, commonly known as the VisaScreen®. Foreign-trained physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, medical technologists, and certain other healthcare professionals must satisfy the VisaScreen® requirement for temporary U.S. visas and permanent residency. This requirement applies even if you earned a U.S. degree or are already employed by a U.S. healthcare organization.

The healthcare worker certification is a screening process designed to verify that foreign healthcare professionals meet certain educational, licensing, English language (i.e., TOEFL, IELTS, OET) and competency standards comparable to those required in the United States.

The requirement stems from Section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) and applies to several nonimmigrant visa categories as well as permanent residence cases.

The certification is issued through independent agencies that are designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security including the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (“FCCPT”); Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (“CGFNS”); National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (“NBCOT”) and other authorized credentialing bodies depending on the profession.

The VisaScreen® requirement generally applies to the following occupations:

• Physical Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Audiologists
• Medical Technologists
• Medical Technicians
• Registered Nurses
• Physician Assistants

The VisaScreen® requirement applies to temporary visa categories including, but not limited to:

• H-1B
• H-1B1
• TN
• E-3
• Employment-based immigrant visa and adjustment of status cases

The healthcare worker could face delays or visa refusal if the healthcare certification is not provided at the time of the visa application.

One of the most common misconceptions is that a state professional license automatically satisfies immigration requirements. Unfortunately, it does not.

State licensure and immigration certification are two separate processes that are administered by different agencies. A foreign-trained therapist may be fully licensed in a U.S. state but still needs the VisaScreen® for visa issuance or admission into the United States.

Healthcare worker certification processing times can significantly impact immigration timelines. Foreign-trained therapists should ideally begin the credentialing process as early as possible.

The VisaScreen® is valid for five (5) years from the date of issuance and must be renewed before expiration to maintain compliance with immigration requirements throughout the visa validity period and until the healthcare worker obtains permanent residency.

For foreign-trained healthcare professionals pursuing career opportunities in the United States, the VisaScreen® requirement is far more than an administrative formality. It is often a mandatory immigration prerequisite that can determine whether a visa is issued. Careful planning and early preparation can help ensure that your immigration process moves forward smoothly. The following steps should be considered before starting the U.S. visa process:

1. Confirm whether your profession is covered by the certification requirement.
2. Identify the correct credentialing organization for your occupation.
3. Review English language testing requirements early.
4. Coordinate immigration strategy with licensure planning.
5. Allow extra time for transcript evaluations and verification from foreign institutions.
6. Bring certification documentation to your visa interview when applicable.
7. Renew the certification every five (5) years throughout the visa validity period and until the healthcare worker is granted permanent residency.