Charting a New Path for Healthcare Worker Certification

Hospitals and other healthcare organizations have increasingly turned to recruitment from abroad to meet part of the demand for nurses in the US healthcare system. In order to work in healthcare within the United States, nurses and other healthcare professionals from abroad must have their academic credentials, knowledge of English, licensure, and experience verified by an independent credentialing agency. This requirement is called the Health Care Worker (HCW) Certification requirement by USCIS. 

As of March 26, 2026, nurses and their employers now have a new option for obtaining the HCW Certification, when a Federal Register Notice announced that our client, The Evaluation Company (TEC) is now authorized by USCIS to issue HCW certifications for RNs and LPNs. The VisaKey certification is now available for international nurses and offers real-time tracking of application status and a modern, streamlined application process that provides full visibility into the required documents applicants need to provide and the status of their case.

Bill Stock and Ryan Patterson led the team at KILP, which secured USCIS approval of a Form I-905 certification for TEC. When TEC approached the firm, only three other organizations held this certification from USCIS for nurses, so there was no precedent for the team to draw from. Coordinating TEC’s experienced credential evaluation team and documenting how their processes met the USCIS regulations, the Form I-905 was approved by USCIS with the concurrence of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The result: a successful outcome for The Evaluation Company and expanded opportunities for nurses to obtain needed certifications to practice in the U.S., improving the onboarding experience for nurses and strengthening patient care nationwide.

Congratulations to The Evaluation Company and to Bill Stock and Ryan Patterson on this first-of-its-kind achievement!

About Immigration Solutions for Healthcare Organizations

Klasko Immigration Law Partners assists healthcare organizations of all sizes across the country with all aspects of recruiting and retaining international healthcare workers, including physicians, nurses, physical therapists, medical technologists, and other allied health professionals.

Do you have a healthcare case you need assistance with? Contact a Klasko Immigration attorney for details.