TOEIC: A Smarter Path to Your U.S. Dream

May 17, 2025 | Unistaff Content Team

Contents

Introduction
Why English Certification Is a Must for U.S. Healthcare Workers
TOEIC: Top 3 Benefits
What Real Nurses Are Saying
A Partnership That Truly Cares: UNISTAFF + Princeton
Ready to Get Started?
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For many Filipino nurses and medical professionals, the dream of working in the United States is more than just a career goal. It’s a life-changing opportunity! But that dream comes with barriers: paperwork, licensing requirements, and an English language certification.

The good news? Universal Staffing Services, Inc. (UNISTAFF), in partnership with Princeton Assessments and Training Center Inc. (Princeton), is paving the way by offering access to the Test of English for International Communication TOEIC, a practical, affordable, and globally accepted English assessment.

Let’s get into how this powerful partnership is helping you take real steps toward your dream U.S. job, without breaking the bank or burning out from stress.

Why English Certification Is a Must for U.S. Healthcare Workers

If you want to work in the U.S. healthcare system, proving your English skills is a requirement. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), all foreign healthcare workers, except physicians, must present certification from a USCIS-approved credentialing organization (like TruMerit, formerly CGFNS). This proves you’ve met the minimum requirements in:

Education
Training
Licensure
Work experience
English proficiency

For nurses specifically, certification is granted if you:

Have a valid, unrestricted license in your U.S. state of employment
Intend to work in a state that verifies foreign licenses
Have passed the NCLEX
Graduated from an approved English language nursing program

If you meet all of the above, you’re on the right track. But one big piece of the puzzle remains: proving your English skills.

TOEIC: Top 3 Benefits

Why Choose TOEIC? What makes it special? Unlike other tests, TOEIC is flexible, cost-effective, and focused on real-life, work-based English skills. Here’s why more than 7 million test takers every year choose the TOEIC:

1. Cost: Much More Affordable

Here’s a quick cost comparison between popular English language tests:

Test	Approximate Cost (PHP)	Format	Validity
TOEIC (Reading & Listening only)	PHP 2,500+	Paper-based/Computer	2 years
IELTS	PHP 12,000+	Paper-based/Computer	2 years
TOEFL iBT	PHP 12,000+	Computer	2 years
PTE	PHP 12,000+	Computer	2 years

TOEIC costs 75-80% less than the other major tests.

2. More Convenient Testing Structure

TOEIC is taken in two parts. It is easier to schedule and manage.

Part 1: Reading & Listening

100 items per section
Listening: 45 minutes
Reading: 75 minutes

Part 2: Speaking & Writing

Speaking: 20 minutes (5 task types)
Writing: 60 minutes (3 task types)

This means you don’t have to take all four skills at once. You can book Part 1 first, prepare more, then book Part 2. More flexibility = less stress.

3. Widely Accepted by U.S. States

You might be wondering, “Is the TOEIC certificate accepted in the U.S.?”

The answer is, yes! In fact, many states either specifically accept TOEIC or do not specify any English test, allowing for flexibility during certification.

States That Explicitly Accept TOEIC (All 4 Skills):

Colorado
Delaware
Louisiana
South Dakota
Utah
West Virginia

States That Mention TOEIC (Listening & Reading Only):

Arkansas (Minimum score: 725)
Missouri (Minimum score: 725)
Oregon (Minimum score: 780)
Virginia (Minimum score: 725)

States That Do Not Mention Any Specific English Test (Making TOEIC an Option):

Alabama	New Mexico
Alaska	New Hampshire
Arizona	New York
California	North Carolina
Connecticut	North Dakota
Florida	Ohio
Georgia	Oklahoma
Guam	Pennsylvania
Hawaii	Puerto Rico
Idaho	Rhode Island
Kansas	South Carolina
Massachusetts	Texas
Minnesota	Vermont
Mississippi	Washington State
Montana	Washington, D.C.
Nebraska	Wyoming
Nevada

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What Real Nurses Are Saying

Thousands of medical professionals have already taken TOEIC as part of their journey. Their stories are incredibly moving.

"During my TOEIC preparation, Princeton gave us materials to help us fully prepare for the exam. Afterwards, they were consistently helpful during the CGFNS (TruMerit) processing, making everything hassle-free!” - Shannen Nicole Lee, Nurse

"I made the right decision to take the TOEIC. Princeton was so helpful and answered all my questions. For those undecided, I highly recommend the TOEIC. It’s taken on 2 separate days, so I had more time to prepare and I felt much more relaxed. I’m so happy to have received a higher score than required, and that brings me closer to my American dream! Thank you, Princeton for the seamless assistance!” - Sharizze Nina, Nurse

“I was overwhelmed by the cost and stress of other English tests. TOEIC registration was smooth, cost was cheaper and the test structure allowed me to manage my schedule. I passed and now I’m one step closer to my dream!" - Sheryl Mae Cazeñas, Nurse

“Thanks to UNISTAFF and Princeton, I found the courage to take the TOEIC. Now I’m getting ready to leave for my job in the U.S.!” - Patrick, Clinical Laboratory Scientist

These are not isolated cases. UNISTAFF and Princeton have helped hundreds of healthcare professionals move forward in their careers, one test at a time.

A Partnership That Truly Cares: UNISTAFF + Princeton

This is more than just a collaboration. It’s a mission. UNISTAFF has placed over 30,000 professionals abroad in the past 26 years, and they know the importance of preparation and clear guidance. That’s why they’ve teamed up with Princeton Assessments and Training Center, Inc., a trusted name in professional testing. Together, we can help you:

Understand the test requirements
Prepare effectively
Book your TOEIC exams with ease
Get placed into career opportunities in the U.S.

TOEIC Score Requirements by Profession

Profession	Minimum Required TOEIC Score
Registered Nurse	Reading & Listening: 725 Writing: 150 Speaking: 160
Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)	Reading & Listening: 700 Writing: 150 Speaking: 160
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Medical Technologist)	Reading & Listening: 725 Writing: 150 Speaking: 160
Clinical Laboratory Technician (Medical Technician)	Reading & Listening: 700 Writing: 150 Speaking: 160
Physician Assistant	Reading & Listening: 725 Writing: 150 Speaking: 160

Note: The minimum required score varies by profession and state. Always double check profession and state specific requirements.

Ready to Get Started?

No matter where you are in your journey, as a student, a newly licensed nurse, or a seasoned professional, the path to working abroad is never easy.

But with UNISTAFF and Princeton guiding the way, it’s more achievable than ever. And remember: TOEIC is just one step. UNISTAFF can help you land the job you’ve been dreaming of. From helping you through visa processes to placing you with top hospitals across the U.S., our team will be with you every step of the way. Your journey matters. And we're here to help you take every step with confidence.