Proposed Modifications to the June 2022 List of Approved Standardized Tests and Minimum Passing Scores - Request for Comments

Sep 2, 2026

Upload by Fahsai

HRSA requests public comments on proposed modifications to the list of approved standardized English-language proficiency tests and minimum passing scores for foreign healthcare workers. The changes are sought under section 343 of the IIRIRA and implementing regulations for demonstrating English proficiency as part of certification requirements for certain noncitizen health care workers entering the U.S. for covered labor occupations. Comments should include evidence such as evaluation studies, concordance analysis, and an itemized summary by test and recommendation, including estimated impact and any time sensitivity.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Purpose of the Request

Comment Submission Requirements

Summary of Recommendations on English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores

Test Name and Score Table Template

Summary of Administrative Comments on English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores

Administrative Comment Table Template

Proposed Modifications to the June 2022 List of Approved Standardized Tests and Minimum Passing Scores

[FR Doc. 2024–25874 Filed 11–6–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120–01–P # DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANDHUMAN SERVICES Health Resources and ServicesAdministration Standardized Tests and MinimumPassing Scores for Foreign HealthCare Workers To Demonstrate EnglishLanguage Proficiency AGENCY: Health Resources and ServicesAdministration (HRSA), Department ofHealth and Human Services (HHS) .ACTION: Request for comments. SUMMARY: HRSA proposes modificationstothelistof standardized tests andminimum passing scores for foreignhealth care workers to demonstrateEnglish language proficiency pursuantto section 343 of the Illegal ImmigrationReform and Immigrant ResponsibilityAct of 1996 (IIRIRA) . DATES: Submit comments no later thanDecember 9, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (ET) .ADDRESSES: You may submit commentsby any of the following methods: • Federal Web-Based Portal: https://www.regulations.gov/. This isthepreferred method forthe submission ofcomments. Follow instructions forsubmitting comments. Include Billing Code 4165–15 in your comments. Allsubmitted comments will be postedwithout changes to https://www.regulations.gov/. Please do notinclude any personally identifiable orconfidential business information youdo not want publicly disclosed. • Email: HRSAComments@hrsa.govand HRSA_ELP@hrsa.govwith thesubject line:‘‘Billing Code 4165–15Comments on Standardized Tests andMinimum Passing Scores for ForeignHealth Care Workers. ’’This isthealternative method forthe submission ofcomments. Please do not include anypersonally identifiable or confidentialbusiness information you do not wantpublicly disclosed. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tanchica West, Office of Special HealthInitiatives, Office of Global Health,HRSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville,Maryland 20857, 301–443–4412. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ## I. Background The purpose of this request is tosolicit public comments regardingproposed modifications to the currentlist of tests and passing scores approvedby HHS through HRSA pursuant tosection 343 ofthe IIRIRA, Public Law104–208 (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(5)(C)) andimplementing regulations promulgatedby the Department of HomelandSecurity at 8 CFR 212.15(g), to demonstrate English languageproficiency for noncitizen health careworkers. Demonstration of Englishlanguage proficiency is an element ofthe certification requirements for certainnoncitizen health care workers seekingadmission to the United States fortheprimary purpose of performing labor ina covered health care occupation. HRSAis seeking public comments regardingproposed modifications to the currentlist of approved standardized tests andminimum passing scores required forcertification of foreign health careworkers to enhance consistency acrossapproved tests. Public comments may include thesubmission of evaluation studies,concordance analysis and findings ofconcordance, or methodologiessupporting the inclusion of a particulartest or minimum passing score fordemonstrating English languageproficiency. In addition to evidence andjustification, HRSA requests thatcomments include: (1) A bulleted summary of no morethan five (5) pages (12-point font singlespaced) and (2) The table (below) with responsesfor each applicable recommendation. Comments may address any aspect ofthe proposed modifications, and allcomments will be considered. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTS AND SCORES [12-point font single spaced] | Test name | Test section | Current score | Recommended score | Justification
and impact | Evidence | Timeframe | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Insert Nameof Test] . | [Insert what section ofthe test the modi -fication refers to,i.e., overall, listen -ing, reading, writing,or speaking.] | [Insert current scorefor each test byhealth profession oroccupation by levelof degree.] | [Insert recommendedscore for each testby health professionor occupation bylevel of degree.] | [Provide a brief de -scription

FAQs

What is HRSA asking the public to comment on?

HRSA is soliciting public comments on proposed modifications to the approved standardized tests and minimum passing scores used to demonstrate English language proficiency for noncitizen healthcare workers.

What types of evidence should commenters include?

Commenters may include evaluation studies, concordance analysis and findings, and methodologies supporting inclusion of a particular test or passing score. Additional justification and impact information are also requested.

What comment submission format does HRSA require?

Comments should include a bulleted summary limited to no more than five pages (12-point font, single spaced) and a completed table providing responses for each applicable recommendation.

Sep 2, 2026

Upload by Fahsai