What are the Qualifying Criteria for H-1C Sponsoring Hospitals?
The sponsoring employer is required to meet strict criteria to employ foreign RNs under the H-1C program. These include: • be a “subpart D” hospital under the Social Security Act; • be located in a Health Professional Shortage Area as of March 31, 1997; (Lists of Designated Primary Medical Care, Mental Health, and Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas) • have at least 190 acute care beds according to the 1994 cost report; • have a Medicare population of 35% according to the 1994 cost report; and • have a Medicaid population of 28% according to the 1994 cost report. What are the Qualifying Criteria for Nurses under the H-1C Program? The qualifying nurse must: • have obtained a full and unrestricted license to practice in the country where the nursing education was obtained, or have received a nursing education in the U.S.; • (a) have passed the examination given by the Commission on Graduates for Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS); or (b) have a full and unrestricted license to practic
