What documents do you need for a VisaKey?

To process your VisaKey, TEC requires the submission of your passport, secondary school credentials, official nursing program transcript, verified clinical hours, all nursing licenses held, NCLEX or TruMerit NQE, and a passing score on an approved English Language Proficiency exam.

How do English Language Proficiency scores work?

English Language Proficiency scores are required for most applicants, with a few exceptions. You are required to submit a passing score for an exam that was taken within two years of when your VisaKey certificate is issued. TEC also accepts score clubbing (super scoring) for 2 administrations of the same test taken within 6 months. In general, you are exempt if your nursing education was in English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, UK, U.S., or New Zealand.

Do you need a VisaKey if you were licensed and/or educated within the U.S.?

If you are applying for an occupational visa within the U.S. as a foreign nurse, USCIS will still require you to obtain a VisaKey.

Can you apply for a VisaKey if you're not a RN or LPN/LVN?

Most foreign nurses will need both services to work in the U.S., but not necessarily at the same time. VisaKey is used to apply to USCIS for occupational visas, while the Nursing Course Analysis (NCA) is used by state boards of nursing to determine nursing competency. A foreign nurse educated in the U.S. but seeking an occupational visa will need a VisaKey but not an NCA. Conversely, a foreign educated nurse who is a U.S. citizen or has another visa (like a family visa) will need an NCA for state licensure but not a VisaKey.

Does your VisaKey expire?

Yes, VisaKey has an expiration date of 5 years from the issuance date.

How do you renew your VisaKey?

To renew your VisaKey, please reach out to your team 6 months before or after your expiration date and we will assist you with the renewal process.

Does TEC accept credential evaluations if completed by another company?

Yes, we accept completed credential evaluations from TruMerit (CGFNS), International Education Evaluations, and Josef Silny & Associates.

Nursing credential evaluation for U.S. licensure

Get your nursing credentials evaluated for U.S. licensure

Upload your documents, track all 4 steps in real time, and receive a VisaKey certificate in as few as 10 business days after specialist review.

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Every issued certificate is backed by credentialing specialist review.

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Step 1 — Upload your documentsSee exactly what is still needed across all 5 categories.

Backed by recognized evaluation expertise

The evaluation foundation behind VisaKey

VisaKey combines 40+ years of credential-evaluation expertise, NACES membership since 1996, and step-by-step case tracking (uploaded → under review → completed) in one application flow.

From application to issued certificate in 4 steps

See where your case stands at every step — from first upload to issued certificate.

Step 01

Upload Your Documents

Upload the records you already have and see exactly what is still needed for review.

Step 02

Coordinate With Your Schools

VisaKey prepares the forms each institution needs so you can request verification without extra guesswork.

Step 03

Experts Review Your File

Credentialing specialists compare your documents to U.S. board expectations and flag anything missing.

Step 04

Receive Your Certificate

Download your VisaKey certificate when all required records are reviewed — typically within 10 business days — and move to the next licensing or immigration step.

The records most applicants need to upload

Most applicants already have these records on hand. If something is missing, VisaKey shows what to request next.

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Education Records

Diploma, degree, and official transcripts — the 3 records boards most often require first.

Nursing Licensure

Current or prior nursing registration so the review team can verify your standing in 100+ countries.

Nursing Exams

NCLEX or other exam records that support your eligibility to practice in the United States.

English Proficiency

IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or OET scores when required — or follow the exemption path if your training qualifies.

Identity documents

1 government-issued photo ID and 1 passport-style photo so VisaKey can verify the applicant record.

Human review from start to finish

Credentialing specialists review every file before a certificate is issued.

VisaKey specialists review transcripts, licenses, exam results, and identity documents against U.S. board requirements. If something is missing, the application shows the next step instead of leaving applicants guessing.

40+ years of review expertise

Every file is checked by credentialing specialists — not an automated scoring tool.

Status at every step

See where your case stands (uploaded → under review → completed) and what is still needed.

Certificate after all 5 categories

The final certificate is issued only after each required document category has been reviewed.

FAQ for nurses

Common questions about VisaKey

Documents, English exams, expiration, renewals, and how VisaKey relates to state board requirements.

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For employers, licensing teams, and immigration reviewers

Verify an issued VisaKey certificate

Confirm that a VisaKey nursing credential evaluation certificate was issued by The Evaluation Company. Enter the certificate reference shown on the document and the holder's date of birth.

Applicants: case tracking, document updates, and payment status live on Check application status. This verification form is only for third parties reviewing an issued certificate.

For recruiters, employers, and immigration offices

Manage sponsored evaluations in one shared VisaKey portal.

Sponsor an applicant, route billing to your account, and track case progress in one place. This path is built for employer sponsors, recruitment teams, and immigration partners.

Set up your organization

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Invite in 1 click

Send a one-click application link by email and keep billing on the organization side.

1 invoice, many cases

Consolidate billing across dozens of sponsored applicants with case-level or recurring invoice formats.

All cases in 1 portal

Track every sponsored applicant in one shared portal and see what is missing before follow-up is needed.

Dedicated support line

Connect your team with VisaKey contacts when account setup or recurring volume needs extra coordination.