Filipino nurses have been the backbone of US healthcare staffing for decades. Over 150,000 Filipino-born registered nurses work in the United States, representing approximately 4% of the total US nursing workforce. The Philippines' nursing curriculum, taught in English and aligned with US clinical standards, makes Filipino nurses among the most sought-after internationally. With the US facing a projected shortage of 200,000-450,000 nurses by 2030, demand for Filipino nurses remains exceptionally strong.
NCLEX-RN: The Gateway Exam
The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) is the mandatory licensing exam for all nurses in the US, regardless of where they trained. Filipino nurses can take the NCLEX at Pearson VUE test centres in Manila, Cebu, and other Philippine cities without leaving the country.
Registration process: Apply to a US state Board of Nursing for eligibility evaluation (California and New York are the most popular first choices for Filipino nurses). The board evaluates your Philippine nursing education against US standards. Once approved, register with Pearson VUE and schedule your NCLEX. Total registration cost: USD 200 (NCLEX fee) + USD 75-300 (state application fee).
The exam: Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) format with 75-145 questions. Covers safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. The exam adapts difficulty based on your answers. You pass or fail — there is no numeric score. Filipino nurse first-attempt pass rates average 40-50%, compared to 85% for US-educated nurses. With dedicated review programmes, pass rates improve to 65-75%.
NCLEX review resources: Philippine-based review centres like Ateneo Professional Schools, Philippine Review Center, and online platforms like UWorld, Kaplan, and Saunders offer structured NCLEX preparation. Budget PHP 15,000-40,000 for a comprehensive review course. UWorld's question bank (USD 150-300) is considered the gold standard for self-study.
CGFNS and VisaScreen Certification
Before receiving a US work visa, Filipino nurses must obtain a VisaScreen certificate from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). This verifies your nursing education, licensure, and English proficiency.
The VisaScreen requires: proof of your Philippine nursing education (transcripts from your school), a valid Philippine nursing licence (PRC), English proficiency (IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with 7.0 in speaking, or TOEFL iBT 83+), and either a CGFNS Qualifying Exam pass or NCLEX-RN pass. Processing time: 3-6 months. Cost: USD 540 for the VisaScreen certificate.
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Get Your Free Verdict →EB-3 Visa: The Green Card Route
Most Filipino nurses come to the US through the EB-3 (Employment-Based Third Preference) immigrant visa, which provides a green card (permanent residence) directly. Your US employer handles most of the process.
Steps: (1) US employer files PERM labour certification with the Department of Labor (6-12 months). (2) Employer files I-140 Immigrant Petition (6-12 months). (3) Wait for visa bulletin priority date to become current (currently 1-2 years for Philippines EB-3). (4) Consular processing at the US Embassy in Manila (3-6 months). Total timeline: approximately 2-4 years.
The employer typically covers all legal and filing costs. Under US law, recruitment agencies cannot charge nurses for placement. Your employer often provides additional benefits: NCLEX review course fees, relocation assistance, temporary housing, and sometimes a sign-on bonus of USD 5,000-15,000.
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Get Your Free Verdict →US Nursing Salaries by State
| State | Annual Salary (USD) | PHP Monthly Equiv. | Vs PH Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 120,000-140,000 | 570,000-665,000 | ~20x |
| New York | 95,000-115,000 | 451,000-547,000 | ~17x |
| Texas | 75,000-95,000 | 356,000-451,000 | ~14x |
| Florida | 70,000-88,000 | 333,000-418,000 | ~13x |
| Illinois | 75,000-92,000 | 356,000-437,000 | ~14x |
For context, a staff nurse in the Philippines earns approximately PHP 25,000-40,000 per month (USD 5,400-8,600/year). Even in the lowest-paying US states, Filipino nurses earn 12-15x their Philippine salary. California and New York pay the most but have higher cost of living. Texas, Florida, and the Midwest offer strong salary-to-cost ratios with large Filipino communities.
Travel nursing is increasingly popular: contracts of 8-13 weeks pay USD 2,500-4,500 per week with housing provided. Filipino nurses with 1-2 years of US hospital experience are highly competitive for travel assignments.
For alternative destinations, see Best Countries for Nurses to Emigrate 2026 and the Philippines Emigration Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Filipino nurses get licensed in the US?
Pass the NCLEX-RN at Pearson VUE centres in Manila or Cebu after state Board of Nursing approval. Obtain a VisaScreen certificate from CGFNS (verifies education, licence, and English). Total cost: approximately USD 800-1,200. Filipino first-attempt NCLEX pass rate: 40-50%, improving to 65-75% with structured review.
What is the salary for Filipino nurses in the US?
National median: USD 89,000/year. California: USD 120,000-140,000. Texas: USD 75,000-95,000. Florida: USD 70,000-88,000. Travel nursing: USD 2,500-4,500/week. Filipino nurses earn approximately 15-20x their Philippine salary.
How long does it take for a Filipino nurse to work in the US?
Total timeline: 2-4 years. NCLEX preparation and passing (3-12 months), CGFNS/VisaScreen (3-6 months), employer EB-3 filing and processing (12-30 months), consular processing (3-6 months).
Do I need to pay a recruitment agency to work as a nurse in the US?
No. US law prohibits charging nurses for placement. Legitimate agencies earn fees from the employer. The employer covers NCLEX review, immigration legal fees, and often relocation. Never pay upfront fees to any agency.
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