Armenian College of Nursing
& Health Sciences

No. No institution located outside the United States can be approved, certified, or designated as a U.S. State Board–approved nursing program. Approval by a U.S. Board of Nursing is a regulatory function that applies exclusively to nursing programs operating within that specific state's legal jurisdiction.

Accordingly, any institution worldwide that is physically located outside the United States falls outside U.S. regulatory authority and therefore cannot be certified or approved as a U.S. Board-approved program.

The Armenian College of Nursing & Health Sciences (ACNHS) is an Armenian educational institution accredited in the Republic of Armenia by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture & Sport (MESCS). It is not approved by any U.S. State Board of Nursing and is not a U.S.-based nursing program.

Nevertheless, ACNHS is actively and diligently aligning its curriculum, academic standards, and academic documentation processes with U.S. Board of Nursing requirements to help ensure that graduates may undergo credential evaluation and licensure review in the United States as smoothly and efficiently as possible, subject to the laws and regulations of the individual state in which they apply.

It depends. The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is the standardized exam required for U.S. RN licensure. Eligibility to sit for the NCLEX is determined by the individual State Board of Nursing to which you apply.

Most state boards require a credentials evaluation from an approved agency (e.g., CGFNS International, IES, IERF) to verify that your foreign nursing education is equivalent to U.S. standards. The state board then decides whether your credentials meet their specific requirements.

Important: NCLEX eligibility is not automatic for international graduates. Requirements vary significantly by state.

A foreign credential evaluation is an independent assessment of your nursing education by a U.S. credentials evaluation agency. Commonly used agencies include:

• CGFNS International (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools)
• IES (International Education Services)
• IERF (International Education Research Foundation)

These agencies review your transcripts, course content, and clinical training to determine if your education is comparable to a U.S. nursing program. Most state boards require this evaluation as part of the licensure application process.

No. ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) and CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) are U.S.-based nursing program accreditors that only evaluate nursing programs located in the United States.

ACNHS is an Armenian institution and therefore not eligible for ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Instead, ACNHS is accredited by the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture & Sport (MESCS) and operates under Armenian higher education standards.

For U.S. licensure purposes, state boards evaluate foreign programs through credentials evaluation agencies, not through ACEN/CCNE.

All 50 U.S. states and territories allow internationally educated nurses (IENs) to apply for licensure, but each state has unique requirements. Some states have more streamlined processes for IENs, while others have additional requirements.

State boards with historically more IEN-friendly processes include: New York, California, Florida, Texas, Illinois.

You must research the specific requirements of the state where you intend to practice. Visit the state board's website or consult a credentials evaluation agency.

1. Complete your nursing education at ACNHS (diploma or degree program)
2. Choose a U.S. state where you want to become licensed
3. Submit your transcripts to a credentials evaluation agency (e.g., CGFNS, IES, IERF)
4. Obtain credentials evaluation report confirming equivalency to U.S. education
5. Apply to the State Board of Nursing in your chosen state for NCLEX eligibility
6. Meet additional state requirements (English proficiency tests, background checks)
7. Receive Authorization to Test (ATT) from the state board
8. Schedule and pass the NCLEX-RN exam
9. Receive your RN license from the state board (if you pass NCLEX and meet all requirements)

Timeframe: This process typically takes 6–18 months after graduation, depending on the state.

No. ACNHS cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible for U.S. RN licensure. Licensure eligibility is determined solely by individual State Boards of Nursing, which independently evaluate each applicant's credentials.

State board decisions are based on: the credentials evaluation report, state-specific education and clinical hour requirements, English language proficiency, and background checks.

ACNHS provides: A comprehensive nursing education aligned with international standards, official transcripts documenting your coursework and clinical experience, and preparation for NCLEX exam content areas.

Yes. ACNHS curriculum is designed with NCLEX content categories in mind: Safe & Effective Care Environment, Health Promotion & Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, and Physiological Integrity.

Our courses cover the knowledge domains tested on the NCLEX-RN, including medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, maternal-child health, mental health, and critical care.

However: ACNHS is not an NCLEX test prep course. You should plan to use additional NCLEX review resources (e.g., UWorld, Kaplan, Saunders NCLEX-RN books) to prepare for the exam format and question styles.

For questions about U.S. licensure eligibility and credentials evaluation, contact:

• CGFNS International: www.cgfns.org
• Specific U.S. State Board of Nursing: NCSBN.org

For questions about ACNHS programs, admissions, curriculum, and transcripts:

• WhatsApp: +374 93 79 88 79
• Email: info@acnhs.am

Important: ACNHS admissions staff cannot provide legal or immigration advice regarding U.S. licensure or visa processes.

TOEFL is not automatically required. It is not mandated by U.S. Boards of Nursing themselves. Requirements depend on the specific State Board of Nursing and credential evaluation agency.

At ACNHS, approximately 90% of classes are conducted in English, and 100% of academic materials are provided exclusively in English. Students undergo English proficiency assessment and complete structured English coursework as part of the program.

Because instruction and materials are in English, many boards and evaluation agencies may waive TOEFL if they are satisfied that the program was delivered in English. However, final determination is made solely by the Board or evaluation agency reviewing the application.

Yes. We accept official transcripts from recognized institutions in any country, subject to institutional review and academic equivalency evaluation.

Yes. All ACNHS graduates automatically receive Lifetime Membership in the Armenian Nurses Association of the United States (ANA-US), Inc. — a nonprofit professional nursing organization supporting networking, mentorship, continuing education, and U.S. career integration.

This membership is a professional development benefit included with every ACNHS degree. It does not confer any licensure, regulatory approval, or credential recognition in the United States or any other jurisdiction.