Everything You Need to Know About the Hebrew Language Proficiency Requirement for Internationally Educated Nursing Graduates to Receive a Permit and Permanent Certificate in Israel
Internationally educated nursing graduates may take the Israel Nursing Board Licensure Examination in one of the following languages: Arabic, English, Russian, French or Spanish.
However, according to the Public Health Regulations, for those who take the examination in a language other than Hebrew, proof of Hebrew language proficiency must be presented as a condition for registering in the Nursing Registry to receive a permanent certificate.
It is important to note: A permanent certificate will be issued only after providing proof of basic Hebrew proficiency in addition to passing the Israel Nursing Board licensure examination.
When must proof of proficiency be submitted?
- Proof of Hebrew proficiency may be submitted up to 3 years from the date of the Israel Nursing Board licensure examination.
- Proof of Hebrew proficiency may be submitted even prior to the examination date.
- After 3 years, if no proof of proficiency has been presented, you will be required to retake the Israel Nursing Board Licensure Examination (subject to valid eligibility).
Ways of proving Hebrew proficiency
You must meet one of the following conditions:
- A Hebrew matriculation examination in Israel with a score of 60 or above.
- The YAEL Test or the YAELNET Test administered by the National Institute for Testing and Evaluation, with a score of 65 or above. Further information is available on the National Institute for Testing and Evaluation's website, or by phone at 02-6759555.
- The Ministry of Education's Hebrew proficiency examination with a score of 65 or above. For further information on the Hebrew proficiency examination, visit the Ministry of Education website or contact them by email at el.achayot@gmail.com. Please specify your full name, telephone number, mailing address, and preferred examination location: Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.
Submitting the documents
The Hebrew proficiency proof must be submitted via the Healthcare Professions Portal.