Translating Academic Records for Nursing and Medical Licensing (CGFNS/ECFMG)

For nursing credential translation for CGFNS and medical credential translation for US licensing, the rule is consistent. CGFNS and ECFMG both require complete certified English translations of all non-English academic records. You cannot submit a self-translation. Translation converts the records into English. Credential evaluation then determines how those records compare to U.S. standards. These are separate steps, and most applicants need both. Confirm the current document instructions for your specific agency and country before submitting.

What Is Nursing Credential Translation for CGFNS?

Nursing credential translation for CGFNS means converting your nursing diploma, transcript, license, and any supporting academic records which are in a foreign language into English so CGFNS International can evaluate them for US equivalency. The translation must include every section, stamp, and seal. This step is for CGFNS personnel to understand the content of your foreign language documents and not the evaluation itself. CGFNS International then reviews the documents for U.S. equivalency. A state nursing board may also use that evaluation when you apply for licensure.

The translation must be complete because the evaluator compares course titles, clinical hours, and degree names against U.S. nursing education standards. If a stamp or handwritten note is omitted, the evaluation may be incomplete. For more context on transcript work, see this guide to transcript translation services.

CGFNS Translation Requirements for Nurses

CGFNS International evaluates credentials for internationally educated nurses and certain other health professionals. To clear up a common point of confusion: CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) evaluates and verifies the education and credentials of internationally educated nurses and other healthcare professionals for U.S. licensure, certification, and immigration. ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates), by contrast, serves international medical graduates (physicians) on their pathway toward U.S. medical licensure.

For nursing applicants, common documents include nursing program transcripts, the nursing diploma, secondary school records, nursing licenses, and sometimes course syllabi or clinical hour records. Any document not in English requires a certified translation.

CGFNS may require official academic records to be sent directly from the issuing school or nursing authority, depending on the country. The certified translation should match those official records exactly. Avoid sending an older or slightly different version of a transcript, because a mismatch between the original and the translation can create delays. Requirements vary by country and change, so check CGFNS instructions for your location.

What Is Medical Credential Translation for US Licensing?

Medical credential translation for US licensing means converting your medical school transcript, medical diploma, and related records into English with a certified translation so ECFMG or a state medical board can verify them. MotaWord provides this certified translation in a manner ECFM accepts. ECFMG certifies international medical graduates before U.S. residency or USMLE. The translation supports verification, but the credential evaluation or certification is a separate determination.

International medical graduates should treat translation as evidence preparation. The translated document must reflect the original exactly, including grades, dates, and any official marks. ECFMG has its own document verification process, so the translation is only one part of the package.

ECFMG Translation Requirements for International Medical Graduates

ECFMG requires international medical graduates to submit medical school credentials, usually including the final medical school transcript and the medical diploma. When these documents are not in English, certified translations are required. ECFMG publishes country specific document instructions, so the exact list depends on where you studied.

Self-translation is not accepted. The translator must certify accuracy and completeness. If you are focused on the medical pathway, this guide to getting your medical diploma ECFMG ready and this article on certified translations for USMLE explain those steps in detail.

Translation vs Credential Evaluation: What Is the Difference?

Translation converts your academic records from one language into English and certifies that the translation is accurate and complete. Credential evaluation examines those translated records and determines how they compare to U.S. education standards. To see the types of evaluation reports and how they are prepared, read our guide to diploma evaluation. CGFNS and ECFMG rely on translations, but the translation itself is not the evaluation. You need the evaluation for licensing or certification, and you need the translation to make the evaluation possible.

Which Academic Records Need Translation for CGFNS or ECFMG?

Any academic record not in English may need translation. For CGFNS, this often includes nursing diplomas, transcripts, licenses, course descriptions, and secondary school records. For ECFMG, this usually includes the medical school transcript and medical diploma. Translate the full document, including stamps, seals, and handwritten notes.

A transcript with English course titles may still need translation if any portion is in another language. Even a mostly English document with a university seal in another language or a note in the margin should be translated completely.

Can I Translate My Own Academic Records?

No. Self-translation is not accepted by CGFNS or ECFMG for official credential documents. The translator must be independent and provide a signed certification. Even if you are bilingual, the agencies require an objective translation with a statement of accuracy and completeness.

This rule exists because evaluators need confidence that the English version reflects the original without the applicant's interest influencing the wording. Use a qualified professional service such as MotaWord for your diploma and transcript translations.

What Makes a Translation Acceptable to CGFNS and ECFMG?

A translation is acceptable when it is complete, accurate, and accompanied by a certification statement. The certification should identify the translator or translation company, state competence in both languages, and confirm that the translation is a true and complete rendering of the original. Notarization is generally not required.

Some agencies or state boards may have additional format rules, but the core requirement is the certification. MotaWord's professional translators handle the certified translation of academic records and provide the signed certification statements licensing boards expect.

How to Prepare Your Records for Nursing or Medical Licensing

Check the current CGFNS or ECFMG document requirements for your country before collecting anything. Confirm whether the issuing institution must send records directly and whether the translation must accompany those records. Order translations only after you have the final official versions in hand.

Review the translation for spelling of names, dates, and course titles. Small mismatches can cause the evaluator to pause the review. To learn the other common reasons credential evaluations get delayed, see our guide to evaluation delays. If you are unsure about a requirement, ask CGFNS, ECFMG, or your state licensing board directly.

How Much Does a Certified Translation for CGFNS or ECFMG Cost, and How Fast Can I Get It?

With MotaWord, you can choose from 120+ languages and receive your translated records in as little as 12 hours, starting at $24.50 per page. Free digital notarization is included in case a board asks for it. Upload a scan or a photo of your diploma or transcript for an instant, free, no-obligation quote that shows the price and the turnaround time. If you have a question along the way, live chat is available 24/7 for support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CGFNS require notarized translations? Generally no. CGFNS requires certified translations with a signed accuracy statement. Notarization is a separate step and is usually not required for credential documents unless the agency specifies otherwise. Learn how notarized and certified translations differ.

Can I use a machine translation for my nursing or medical records? No. Machine translation has no certification and may miss stamps, seals, or context. CGFNS and ECFMG expect certified human translations, the kind MotaWord provides expertly.

Do I need both a translation and a credential evaluation? Yes, in most cases. The translation makes your records readable in English. The evaluation determines U.S. equivalency. One does not replace the other.

Which CGFNS report requires translated documents? Any report that involves reviewing your foreign education, such as a Credentials Evaluation Service report, will require English versions of the relevant records. Check the specific report requirements because document lists vary.

What if my medical school sends the transcript directly to ECFMG? Follow ECFMG's current procedure. You may still need to arrange a certified translation of the transcript if the original is not in English. The translation should match the exact version sent to ECFMG.

When your CGFNS or ECFMG package is waiting on a certified translation, MotaWord's academic translation service can handle nursing diplomas, transcripts, and medical school records in the languages your evaluation requires. If you have a question along the way, live chat is available 24/7 for support.

Irem Kocaslan - Senior Community Manager at MotaWord

Written and reviewed by Irem Kocaslan, Senior Community Manager at MotaWord, drawing on the MotaWord team's experience preparing certified translations of diplomas, transcripts, and licenses for credential evaluation and licensing submissions. MotaWord is SOC 2 Type II certified and a corporate member of the ATA and ITI, producing certified translations in 120+ languages. Every certified translation ships with a signed certification of accuracy and completeness. See our medical translation service →