Notice2024-25854
Standardized Tests and Minimum Passing Scores for Foreign Health Care Workers To Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 7, 2024
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services DepartmentHealth Resources and Services Administration
Abstract
HRSA proposes modifications to the list of standardized tests and minimum passing scores for foreign health care workers to demonstrate English language proficiency pursuant to section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 216 (Thursday, November 7, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 216 (Thursday, November 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88294-88296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25854]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Resources and Services Administration
Standardized Tests and Minimum Passing Scores for Foreign Health
Care Workers To Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS).
ACTION: Request for comments.
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SUMMARY: HRSA proposes modifications to the list of standardized tests
and minimum passing scores for foreign health care workers to
demonstrate English language proficiency pursuant to section 343 of the
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
(IIRIRA).
DATES: Submit comments no later than December 9, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (ET).
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal Web-Based Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/">https://www.regulations.gov/</a>.
This is the preferred method for the submission of comments. Follow
instructions for submitting comments. Include Billing Code 4165-15 in
your comments. All submitted comments will be posted without changes to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov/">https://www.regulations.gov/</a>. Please do not include any personally
identifiable or confidential business information you do not want
publicly disclosed.
<bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2d657f7e6c6e4240404843595e6d455f5e4c034a425b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="88c0dadbc9cbe7e5e5ede6fcfbc8e0fafbe9a6efe7fe">[email protected]</span></a> and <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c68e94958799838a9686aeb4b5a7e8a1a9b0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="31796362706e747d6171594342501f565e47">[email protected]</span></a> with
the subject line: ``Billing Code 4165-15 Comments on Standardized Tests
and Minimum Passing Scores for Foreign Health Care Workers.'' This is
the alternative method for the submission of comments. Please do not
include any personally identifiable or confidential business
information you do not want publicly disclosed.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tanchica West, Office of Special
Health Initiatives, Office of Global Health, HRSA, 5600 Fishers Lane,
Rockville, Maryland 20857, 301-443-4412.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The purpose of this request is to solicit public comments regarding
proposed modifications to the current list of tests and passing scores
approved by HHS through HRSA pursuant to section 343 of the IIRIRA,
Public Law 104-208 (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(5)(C)) and implementing
regulations promulgated by the Department of Homeland Security at 8 CFR
212.15(g), to demonstrate English language proficiency for noncitizen
health care workers. Demonstration of English language proficiency is
an element of the certification requirements for certain noncitizen
health care workers seeking admission to the United States for the
primary purpose of performing labor in a covered health care
occupation. HRSA is seeking public comments regarding proposed
modifications to the current list of approved standardized tests and
minimum passing scores required for certification of foreign health
care workers to enhance consistency across approved tests.
Public comments may include the submission of evaluation studies,
concordance analysis and findings of concordance, or methodologies
supporting the inclusion of a particular test or minimum passing score
for demonstrating English language proficiency. In addition to evidence
and justification, HRSA requests that comments include:
(1) A bulleted summary of no more than five (5) pages (12-point
font single spaced) and
(2) The table (below) with responses for each applicable
recommendation.
Comments may address any aspect of the proposed modifications, and
all comments will be considered.
[[Page 88295]]
Summary of Recommendations on English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores
[12-point font single spaced]
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Justification and
Test name Test section Current score Recommended score impact Evidence Timeframe
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[Insert Name of Test].......... [Insert what [Insert current [Insert [Provide a brief [Describe evidence [Insert if this
section of the score for each recommended score description of to support this modification is
test the test by health for each test by why the modification time sensitive.
modification profession or health profession modification is (i.e., If yes, describe
refers to, i.e., occupation by or occupation by necessary.] concordance why.]
overall, level of degree.] level of degree.] [Provide a brief analysis and
listening, description of findings,
reading, writing, potential impact evaluation
or speaking.] of the studies, and
modification if other supporting
accepted.] material to
substantiate this
recommendation).]
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Summary of Administrative Comments on English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores
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Justification and
Test name Test section Current language Suggested language impact Evidence Timeframe
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[Insert Name of Test].......... [Insert what [Insert [Insert [Provide [Describe evidence [Insert if this
section of the recommended recommended description of to support this modification is
test the modification by modification by why the modification time sensitive.
modification health profession health profession modification is (i.e., If yes, describe
refers to, i.e., or occupation by or occupation by necessary.] concordance why.]
overall, level of degree.] level of degree.] [Provide analysis and
listening, description of findings,
reading, writing, potential impact evaluation
or speaking, if of the studies, and
applicable.] modification if other supporting
accepted.] material to
substantiate this
recommendation).]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General
[Insert any other comments.]
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Proposed Modifications to the June 2022 List of Approved Standardized
Tests and Minimum Passing Scores:
(1) Cambridge English provides in-depth exams to prove knowledge of
the English language.\1\ HRSA proposes the following modification to
the listing:
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\1\ See, Cambridge English website: <a href="https://cambridgeenglish.org">https://cambridgeenglish.org</a>.
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a. Change the title of the tests from ``Cambridge Assessment
English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 qualifications exams'' to
``Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency,'' because
Cambridge English changed the name of the exams.
b. The minimum passing scores for each of the occupations will
remain unchanged.
(2) Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test
(TOEFL iBT) prepares test-takers for immigration to the United States
by examining their English ability.\2\ HRSA proposes the following
modifications to the listing:
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\2\ See,website for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Internet-Based Test: <a href="https://www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/ibt/about.html">https://www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/ibt/about.html</a>.
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a. Change the title from ``Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) internet-Based Test'' to ``Test of English as a Foreign
Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT),'' to reflect the
organization's current name for the exam.
b. Increase the overall passing score from an 81 to an 83 for
registered nurses and Bachelor of Science level health care workers to
enhance parity among minimum passing test scores across approved tests.
c. Increase the minimum passing score for the ``Speaking'' section
from 24 to 26 for registered nurses and Bachelor of Science level
health care workers to enhance parity among minimum passing test scores
across approved tests.
d. There are no proposed changes to the minimum passing scores for
health care workers holding less than a Bachelor of Science degree and
occupational therapists/physical therapists.
(3) HRSA understands that the TOEFL Paper-Based Test has been
discontinued.\3\ HRSA therefore proposes the following modification to
the listing:
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\3\ See, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) website:
<a href="https://www.ets.org/toefl.html">https://www.ets.org/toefl.html</a>.
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a. Remove the TOEFL Paper-Based Test from the list of standardized
tests and minimum passing scores to demonstrate English language
proficiency, since it is no longer available for test-takers.
(4) Test of English in International Communication (TOEIC)
(Listening and Reading) and TOEIC (Speaking and Writing) measure
English comprehension skills and determines a test-taker's ability to
communicate in English effectively and proficiently.\4\ HRSA proposes
the following modifications to the listing:
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\4\ See, website for Test of English in International
Communication (TOEIC) <a href="https://www.ets.org//toeic/test-takers/about.html">https://www.ets.org//toeic/test-takers/about.html</a>.
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a. Increase the minimum passing score from 700 to 725 for
``Listening and Reading'' for health care workers holding less than a
Bachelor of Science degree to enhance parity among minimum passing test
scores across approved tests.
b. There are no proposed changes to the minimum passing score of
160 for ``Speaking'' and 150 for ``Writing'' for registered nurses,
Bachelor of Science level health care workers, and health care workers
holding less than a Bachelor of Science degree.
(5) The Occupational English Test (OET) is a language test designed
to evaluate language skills of healthcare professionals in an English-
speaking environment.\5\ HRSA proposes the following modifications to
the listing:
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\5\ See, website for the Occupational English Test (OET):
<a href="https://oet.com/en-us">https://oet.com/en-us</a>.
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a. Change test scores from a letter-based scoring system to
numerical values, as suggested by OET, to increase precision in scoring
and overall parity across English language proficiency tests. For
registered nurses and Bachelor of Science level health care workers,
the current minimum passing score for ``Reading,'' ``Writing,'' and
``Listening'' is a letter grade of C+ and a letter grade of B for
``Speaking.'' HRSA proposes to replace these letter scores with the
equivalent numeric scores of 300 for
[[Page 88296]]
``Reading,'' ``Writing,'' and ``Listening,'' and 350 for ``Speaking''
which, per consultation with OET, does not represent an increase or
decrease in minimum passing test scores.
b. For health care workers holding less than a Bachelor of Science
degree, the current minimum passing score for ``Reading,'' ``Writing,''
and ``Listening'' is a letter grade of C and a letter grade of B for
``Speaking.'' HRSA proposes to replace these letter scores with the
equivalent numeric scores of 250 for ``Reading,'' ``Writing,''
``Listening,'' and 350 for ``Speaking'' which, per consultation with
OET, does not represent an increase or decrease in minimum passing test
scores.
c. For occupational and physical therapists, there are currently no
minimum passing tests scores listed for OET. HRSA proposes the minimum
passing scores of 300 for ``Reading,'' ``Writing,'' and ``Listening''
and the score of 350 for ``Speaking'' to include versions of OET
designed specifically for occupational and physical therapists.
(6) Pearson PTE Academic is a computer-based exam that measures
academic-level speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills.\6\
HRSA proposes the following modification to the listing:
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\6\ See, website for Pearson PTE Academic: <a href="https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic">https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic</a>.
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a. Add a new passing minimum score of 63 for ``Speaking'' for
registered nurses and Bachelor of Science level health care workers.
Previously, no passing minimum score for ``Speaking'' was listed. HRSA
proposes this change to enhance parity among minimum passing test
scores.
To reflect the aforementioned modifications*, HRSA proposes to
update its website to replace the June 2022 listing of approved
standardized tests and minimum passing scores with the following table,
which reflects the information described above:
* Proposed modifications are bolded and italicized for this
document but will not appear in bold and italics when published on the
website.
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Scores: occupational Scores: registered
English competency tests therapists/physical nurses and B.S. level Scores: <B.S. level
therapists health care workers health care workers
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Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Cambridge English Scale Cambridge English Scale Cambridge English Scale
Advanced, or C2 Proficiency. 185 overall and 185 176 overall and 185 169 overall and 185
Speaking. Speaking. Speaking.
Educational Testing Service: TOEFL Overall 89 with minimum Overall 83 with minimum Overall 77 with minimum
Internet-Based Test. of 63 on Reading, of 57 on Reading, of 53 on Reading,
Listening and Writing Listening and Writing Listening, and Writing
and 26 on Speaking. and 26 on Speaking. and 24 on Speaking.
Educational Testing Service: TOEIC Not applicable......... 725.................... 725.
(Listening and Reading).
Educational Testing Service: TOEIC Not applicable......... 160 Speaking/150 160 Speaking/150
(Speaking/Writing). Writing. Writing.
International English Language Not applicable......... 6.5 academic with 6 academic or general
Testing System (IELTS). minimum of 7 on with minimum of 7 on
Speaking. Speaking.
Michigan English Test (MET).......... Not applicable......... Overall 55; minimum Overall 55; minimum
Speaking section score Speaking section score
of 55. of 55.
Occupational English Test (OET)...... Reading, Writing, Reading, Writing, Reading, Writing,
Listening/300; Listening/300; Listening/250;
Speaking 350. Speaking 350. Speaking 350.
Pearson PTE Academic................. Not applicable......... Overall 55; Reading, Overall 55; Reading,
Writing, Listening, no Writing, Listening, no
section below 50. section below 50.
63 minimum for Speaking
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Maria G. Button,
Director, Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2024-25854 Filed 11-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P
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