Yes, you can go to the United States without taking the IELTS exam, depending on your purpose of travel and the requirements of the institution or employer you are engaging with. For healthcare professionals using Certilyst to prepare for certification or licensure exams, the IELTS may be required only if you are a non native English speaker seeking employment or licensure in the U.S. healthcare system.
If you are traveling to the U.S. as a tourist, student, or temporary visitor, no English proficiency test is required for entry. However, if your goal is to work as a nurse, therapist, or other healthcare provider, most U.S. state licensing boards and employers require proof of English proficiency. While IELTS is commonly accepted, it is not the only option. Alternatives include:
- TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)
- OET (Occupational English Test), which is specifically designed for healthcare professionals and accepted by many U.S. nursing and therapy boards
Some candidates may be exempt from English testing if they completed their education in an English speaking country or institution, as defined by the licensing authority.
Certilyst supports international healthcare professionals by offering practice exams and preparation materials for U.S. certification and licensure tests but note that Certilyst does not replace English proficiency requirements. You must still meet your target board’s language criteria separately.
For authoritative guidance, review the English proficiency policies of your specific licensing board through the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) . Certilyst users can also access targeted exam prep resources at Certilyst Exam Preparation .