Certification requirements for a healthcare worker visa

If healthcare workers from another country want to come and work in the United States, they must obtain an employment-based visa in order to do so. To obtain one, an applicant must meet all of the requirements.

The U.S. Department of State-Bureau of Consular Affairs states that part of being eligible for this type of visa is to receive a type of labor certification. Healthcare workers need to have their healthcare worker certification.

Occupations that require a healthcare worker certification

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services lists the occupations that require certification to work in the United States, either as nonimmigrant or immigrant status. These include:

• Licensed and registered nurses
• Physician assistants
• Occupational therapists
• Physical therapists
• Medical technicians and technologists
• Audiologists and speech pathologists

Nurses would not need to get a healthcare worker certification if they show a certified statement received from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools or other equivalent organization that does independent credentialing.

Details about the healthcare worker certification

A healthcare worker certification demonstrates that the applicant meets minimum requirements related to various topics. A certificate holder demonstrates the ability to speak and write English fluently.

To earn a certificate, a healthcare worker must also have education, licensing, training and professional experience that is comparable to what the requirements are for the profession in the United States. Certification also indicates that the person passed the occupation’s exam for certification or licensing. Most states would also accept a predictor test instead of a passing of the exam.

The healthcare certification is only valid for five years. Once this time has passed, the individual must obtain new certification.