*Pending approval from USCIS/DHS*
The course evaluation tool for health care worker certification (CET-HCW) is for individuals who require Health Care Worker Certification from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work as a licensed physical therapist in the United States. This is also known as “Type 1” and “VisaScreen” from other certifying organizations.
REQUIREMENTS
In order to be issued a Health Care Worker Certificate, you must have:
- A minimum of 210 semester credits.
- Equivalency on the CET-HCW.
- A first-professional bachelor’s degree in physical therapy.
- A master’s degree or higher in any subject (including physical therapy).
- Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL iBT score of 63 or higher combined reading, listening, and writing; score of 26 or higher in speaking).
APPLYING FOR A CET-HCW
You should apply for a CET-HCW if:
- You require a Health Care Work Certificate for immigration purposes.
- If you are a foreign-trained physical therapist attempting to come to the U.S. to obtain licensure.
- If the state jurisdiction requires a CET-HCW.
Note: FACTS provides CET-HCW (also known as Type 1 and VisaScreen from other agencies) for immigration purposes only, and not for licensure only purposes.
- Review the the CET-HCW, including academic and foreign language requirements HERE (NEED TO ADD LINK TO FINALIZED CET-HCW).
- Complete the APPLICATION.
- Pay the fees and SIGN UP.
Applicants should only submit documents after applying, and at the request of FACTS. Please do not submit documents before first reviewing all requirements, as some documents must be sent directly from source organizations (such as schools or testing centers):
When submitting materials, please send to:
Foreign Academic Credentialing Tools & Services
1930 Winter Street
Kingsburg, CA 93631
FACTS will not return documents that are received. Please do not send original copies of any documents you will need returned.
INFORMATION HUB
Academic institutions should complete the appropriate section of the Academic Credentials Verification Request form (F3).
Please submit official transcripts with detailed course syllabi or full course descriptions, clinical hours.
Certified electronic transcripts may be sent to contact@factspt.org (approved U.S. institutions only).
TOEFL iBT is required for the Health Care Worker Certificate. Students must send official TOEFL scores through the online ETS system.
FACTS Identifier Code for ETS: C690.
Licensing authority should complete applicable section of the Request for Verification of PT License/Registration Form (F4).
Documents must be received in English to be considered. If documents are sent in any language other than English, they will be sent back to the applicant for translation. As an alternative (if the applicant desires), FACTS will arrange for translation through a third party at cost to applicant. Fees for this service will be only those charged by the third party, FACTS will not charge to assist you in translation.
As a reminder, only official documents will be accepted. Please do not begin translating official documents before sending to FACTS, as we cannot approve these as official. We will help guide you on the process.
You can find the official document that will be used to evaluate here: FACTS CET
CET-HCW follows all rules and regulation set forth by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, and is based on CAPTE’s most recent publication for United States Doctorate of Physical Therapy programs for accreditation, titled “STANDARDS AND REQUIRED ELEMENTS FOR ACCREDITATION OF PHYSICAL THERAPIST EDUCATION PROGRAMS”, last revised 12/7/2017.
The CET-HCW has been validated by third party and peer review.
CAPTE’s official statements and publications may be found here: CAPTE
In full accordance with USCIS, periodic review of the CET-HCW will be conducted. Review will occur at least annually, any time CAPTE publishes an update, and at any time rules and regulations from USCIS and/or DHS warrant.
FACTS is a 501(c)3 public benefit charity. EIN: 83-4548115.
FACTS will and must comply with all policies, rules, and regulations set forth by USCIS and the DHS, to include: 8CFR, §212.15(k). More information from USCIS can be found here: USCIS
FACTS organization is comprised of an all volunteer Board of Directors. Directors consist of tenured/tenure-tracked professors at United States universities in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program, licensed physical therapists, and voting public members.
To find out more about FACTS, please go to our “About” page, here: https://factspt.org/about/.
POLICIES, RULES, & REGULATIONS
FACTS will not discriminate among applicants as to age, sex, race, religion, national origin, disability, or martial status. Please see statement found in evaluation procedures and on renewal certification processes.
Renewal will be required after 5-years from the date of initial application, at which point certification will be expired before individual first seeks admission to the United States or applies for adjustment of status. Renewal shall be restricted to updating information on licensure to determine the existence of any adverse actions and the need to re-establish English competency.
APPEAL POLICY
Any applicant may file an appeal. Some common reasons for an appeal is if an applicant believes their evaluation was not performed fairly or has inaccuracies.
To file an appeal, please submit a written letter of appeal, addressed to the “Board of Directors” within 60-days of receiving your report. Please email a copy of your appeal to contact@factspt.org and mail a copy to the official mailing address (see “Submitting Documents” tab found here: https://factspt.org/hcw).
There is no fee for submitting an appeal.
The FACTS appeals committee is overseen by three board members, and meets virtual to review all appeals at least once every fifteen working days.
All materials and documents of the applicant will be considered during the appeal. No committee member on an appeal case will have had prior contact with applicant as an advisor or consultant.
Applicant may be asked to present further information or answer questions. Applicant has the right to legal counsel, at the applicants expense. If applicant chooses to proceed with legal counsel, a legal counsel fee will be determined and assessed and collected from applicant, of which will be completely refunded should the appeal result in a reversal or change in original report decision.
The Board of Directors will consider all statements, materials, documents, and deliberations, and will issue a formal decision in writing, delivered to all parties.
A secondary appeal will only be considered should new evidence arise, at which time a a reevaluation may be deemed more appropriate at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
In accordance with USCIS, FACTS will revoke a certificate at any time if it is determined that the holder was not eligible to receive the certificate at the time it was issued. If FACTS revokes the certificate, FACTS will notify DHS and appropriate state regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over the individual’s health care profession. FACTS will not reissue a certificate to an individual whose certificate has been revoked.
FACTS is a 501(c)3 public benefit charity. EIN: 83-4548115.
FACTS will and must comply with all policies, rules, and regulations set forth by USCIS and the DHS, to include: 8CFR, §212.15(k). More information from USCIS can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/health-care-worker-certification.
FACTS organization is comprised of an all volunteer Board of Directors. Directors consist of tenured/tenure-tracked professors at U.S. universities in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program, licensed physical therapists, and voting public members.
FACTS is free from material conflicts of interests of any other organization.
FACTS is free from all conflicts of interest regarding whether an alien receives a visa.
FACTS and its members are separate from the accreditation and educational functions of the discipline.
FACTS has published and will make available documentation which clearly defines the responsibilities of the organization and outlines any other activities, arrangements, or agreements of the organization that are not directly related to the certification of health care workers. Such information may be found at factspt.org, within the bylaws of the non-profit, and elsewhere at request.
FACTS staff are trained in evaluation of general education through independent U.S. certifying organizations and internal validity testing.
FACTS staff are trained in evaluation of professional education through United States Doctor of Physical Therapy programs, and by CAPTE publications, with internal validity testing.
FACTS staff are trained clinical instructors in association with U.S universities, and able to review the clinical requirements from alien applicants.
FACTS performs evaluations based on CAPTE publications. Evaluation documents are published, reviewed, and validated. All evaluations will be updated should changes to CAPTE publications, USCIS, or DHS dictates.
FACTS evaluation may be found here: factspt.org/cethcw.
FACTS will provide all applicants copies of formalized application procedures for evaluation/examination and will uniformly follow the same procedures for all applicants.
FACTS will periodically review eligibility criteria and application procedures to ensure they are fair and equitable. These reviews will take place at least annually, any time there is a USCIS change, and any time CAPTE requirements are updated.
FACTS will report, at least annually, the results of the CET-HCW. Results may be found on the “Results” tab here: https://factspt.org/hcw/.
FACTS will provide all applicants information on the general areas of deficiency, if any.
FACTS will hold your records securely and confidentially. Under no circumstances will your records be made public, unless required by USCIS.
FACTS will inform applicants of renewal options, which may occur after 5-years from the date of initial application, at which point certification will be expired before individual first seeks admission to the United States or applies for adjustment of status. Renewal shall be restricted to updating information on licensure to determine the existence of any adverse actions and the need to re-establish English competency.
FACTS will publish due process policies and procedures for applicants to question eligibility determinations, evaluation results, and eligibility status (appeals). Policies may be found on the “Appeals” tab here: https://factspt.org/hcw/.
FACTS will provide all applicants a certificate in a timely manner. All evaluations shall be completed within 20-business days from the date all required and requested materials are received.
FACTS will keep your file on record in original format for no less than 5-years, and digital format for no less than an additional 5-years.
FACTS will conduct your evaluation fairly and impartially.
FACTS will issue a certificate after the education, experience, license, and English language competency have been evaluated and determined to be equivalent to a United States equivalent.
FACTS will revoke any certificate if certificate holder is deemed not eligible. FACTS will notify DHS, via the Nebraska Service Center, and the appropriate state regulatory authority with jurisdiction over the individual’s health care profession. FACTS will not reissue certification to an individual whose certificate has been revoked. More information about the policies and procedures for revoking a certification can be found on the “Revoke” tab here: https://factspt.org/hcw/.
FACTS will notify the DHS of any changes in purpose, structure, or activities of the organization.
FACTS will advise the DHS of any major changes in the evaluation of credentials and examination techniques, if any, or in the scope or objectives of such examinations.
FACTS will, upon request of the DHS, submit to the DHS, or any organization designated by the DHS, information requested of the organization and its programs for use in investigating allegations of non-compliance with standards and for general purposes of determining continued approval as an independent credentialing organization.
FACTS will publish performance outcome measures that track the ability of the certificate holders to pass the United States licensure or certification examination. Outcome measures will be published on the “Outcome Measures” tab here: https://factspt.org/hcw/.
FACTS will not discriminate (see non-discrimination policy below).
FACTS will not share your information with any party unless required by law.
USCIS requires results summary from previous years for the Health Care Worker Certification. FACTS (formed 2019) is currently pending USCIS approval, and has not yet performed evaluations. As such, 2019 results may be found below, indicating “0” for all areas.
2019
0 Applicants Received
0 Evaluations Completed
0 Certificates Denied
0 New Certificates Issued
0 Renewal Certificates Issued
0 Appeal Requests
0 Appeals Approved
0 Appeals Denied
USCIS requires outcome measures from previous years for the Health Care Worker Certification. FACTS (formed 2019) is currently pending USCIS approval, and has not yet performed evaluations. As such, there are no publishable outcome measures to date. FACTS will publish performance outcome measures that track the ability of the certificate holders to pass the United States licensure or certification examination.