Standardized Tests and Minimum Passing Scores for Foreign Health Care Workers To Demonstrate English Language Proficiency, 88294-88296 [2024-25854]
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88294
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Code 4165–15 in your comments. All
submitted comments will be posted
without changes to https://
www.regulations.gov/. Please do not
include any personally identifiable or
confidential business information you
do not want publicly disclosed.
• Email: HRSAComments@hrsa.gov
and HRSA_ELP@hrsa.gov 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:
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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
PO 00000
07NON1
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.
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 216 / Thursday, November 7, 2024 / Notices
[FR Doc. 2024–25874 Filed 11–6–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
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).
Request for comments.
ACTION:
18:15 Nov 06, 2024
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:
• Federal Web-Based Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov/. This is the
preferred method for the submission of
comments. Follow instructions for
submitting comments. Include Billing
VerDate Sep<11>2014
EN07NO24.083</GPH>
Addendum XV: FDG-PET for Dementia and Neurodegenerative
Diseases Clinical Trials (July through September 2024)
There were no FDG-PET for Dementia and Neurodegenerative
Diseases Clinical Trials published in the 3-month period.
This information is available on our website at
www.cms.gov/MedicareApprovedFaci1itie/PETDT/1ist.asp#TopOFPage.
For questions or additional information, contact David Dolan,
MBA (410-786-3365).
88295
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 216 / Thursday, November 7, 2024 / Notices
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 Name
of Test].
[Insert what section of
the test the modification refers to,
i.e., overall, listening, reading, writing,
or speaking.]
[Insert current score
for each test by
health profession or
occupation by level
of degree.]
[Insert recommended
score for each test
by health profession
or occupation by
level of degree.]
[Provide a brief description of why the
modification is necessary.]
[Provide a brief description of potential
impact of the modification if accepted.]
[Describe evidence to
support this modification (i.e., concordance analysis
and findings, evaluation studies, and
other supporting material to substantiate
this recommendation).]
[Insert if this modification is time sensitive. If yes, describe why.]
Summary of Administrative Comments on English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores
Test name
Test section
Current language
Suggested language
Justification
and impact
Evidence
Timeframe
[Insert Name
of Test].
[Insert what section of
the test the modification refers to,
i.e., overall, listening, reading, writing,
or speaking, if applicable.]
[Insert recommended
modification by
health profession or
occupation by level
of degree.]
[Insert recommended
modification by
health profession or
occupation by level
of degree.]
[Provide description of
why the modification
is necessary.]
[Provide description of
potential impact of
the modification if
accepted.]
[Describe evidence to
support this modification (i.e., concordance analysis
and findings, evaluation studies, and
other supporting material to substantiate
this recommendation).]
[Insert if this modification is time sensitive. If yes, describe why.]
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
General
[Insert any other comments.]
Proposed Modifications to the June
2022 List of Approved Standardized
Tests and Minimum Passing Scores:
(1) Cambridge English provides indepth exams to prove knowledge of the
English language.1 HRSA proposes the
following modification to the listing:
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:
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:
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
1 See, Cambridge English website: https://
cambridgeenglish.org.
2 See,website for English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) Internet-Based Test: https://www.ets.org/
toefl/institutions/ibt/about.html.
3 See, Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) website: https://www.ets.org/toefl.html.
4 See, website for Test of English in International
Communication (TOEIC) https://www.ets.org//toeic/
test-takers/about.html.
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18:15 Nov 06, 2024
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HRSA proposes the following
modifications to the listing:
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:
a. Change test scores from a letterbased 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
5 See, website for the Occupational English Test
(OET): https://oet.com/en-us.
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88296
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 216 / Thursday, November 7, 2024 / Notices
‘‘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.
Educational Testing Service:
TOEIC (Listening and Reading).
Educational Testing Service:
TOEIC (Speaking/Writing).
International English Language
Testing System (IELTS).
Michigan English Test (MET) ........
Occupational English Test (OET) ..
Pearson PTE Academic ................
Scores: registered nurses and
B.S. level health care workers
Scores: <B.S. level health care
workers
Cambridge English Scale 185
overall and 185 Speaking.
Overall 89 with minimum of 63 on
Reading, Listening and Writing
and 26 on Speaking.
Not applicable ...............................
Cambridge English Scale 176
overall and 185 Speaking.
Overall 83 with minimum of 57 on
Reading, Listening and Writing
and 26 on Speaking.
725 ................................................
Cambridge English Scale 169
overall and 185 Speaking.
Overall 77 with minimum of 53 on
Reading, Listening, and Writing
and 24 on Speaking.
725.
Not applicable ...............................
160 Speaking/150 Writing ............
160 Speaking/150 Writing.
Not applicable ...............................
6.5 academic with minimum of 7
on Speaking.
Overall 55; minimum Speaking
section score of 55.
Reading, Writing, Listening/300;
Speaking 350.
Overall 55; Reading, Writing, Listening, no section below 50.
63 minimum for Speaking ............
6 academic or general with minimum of 7 on Speaking.
Overall 55; minimum Speaking
section score of 55.
Reading, Writing, Listening/250;
Speaking 350.
Overall 55; Reading, Writing, Listening, no section below 50.
Not applicable ...............................
Reading, Writing, Listening/300;
Speaking 350.
Not applicable ...............................
Maria G. Button,
Director, Executive Secretariat.
Comments on the ICR must be
received on or before December 9, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain. Find this particular
information collection by selecting
‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open
for Public Comments’’ or by using the
search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sherrette Funn, Sherrette.Funn@hhs.gov
or (202) 264–0041, or PRA@HHS.GOV.
When submitting comments or
requesting information, please include
the document identifier 0990–new–30D
and project title for reference.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested
persons are invited to send comments
regarding this burden estimate or any
other aspect of this collection of
information, including any of the
following subjects: (1) The necessity and
DATES:
[FR Doc. 2024–25854 Filed 11–6–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
[Document Identifier: OS–0990–NEW]
Agency Information Collection
Request; 30-Day Public Comment
Request
Office of the Secretary, Health
and Human Services (HHS).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In compliance with the
requirement of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the
Secretary (OS), Department of Health
and Human Services, is publishing the
following summary of a proposed
collection for public comment.
SUMMARY:
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
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.
Scores: occupational therapists/
physical therapists
English competency tests
Cambridge English B2 First, C1
Advanced, or C2 Proficiency.
Educational Testing Service:
TOEFL Internet-Based Test.
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:
a. Add a new passing minimum score
of 63 for ‘‘Speaking’’ for registered
utility of the proposed information
collection for the proper performance of
the agency’s functions; (2) the accuracy
of the estimated burden; (3) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information to be collected; and
(4) the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology to minimize the information
collection burden.
Title of the Collection: Evaluation of
the Certified Community Behavioral
Health Clinic Demonstration in
Accordance with the Bipartisan Safer
Communities Act.
Type of Collection: New.
OMB No.: 0990–NEW.
Abstract: The Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
(ASPE) at the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS) is
requesting Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) approval for new data
collection activities to support its
evaluation of the Certified Community
Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC)
6 See, website for Pearson PTE Academic: https://
www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 216 (Thursday, November 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88294-88296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25854]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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:
Federal Web-Based Portal: https://www.regulations.gov/.
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
https://www.regulations.gov/. Please do not include any personally
identifiable or confidential business information you do not want
publicly disclosed.
Email: [email protected] and [email protected] 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]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Justification and
Test name Test section Current score Recommended score impact Evidence Timeframe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[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).]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary of Administrative Comments on English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Justification and
Test name Test section Current language Suggested language impact Evidence Timeframe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[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.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See, Cambridge English website: https://cambridgeenglish.org.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ See,website for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Internet-Based Test: https://www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/ibt/about.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ See, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) website:
https://www.ets.org/toefl.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ See, website for Test of English in International
Communication (TOEIC) https://www.ets.org//toeic/test-takers/about.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See, website for the Occupational English Test (OET):
https://oet.com/en-us.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ See, website for Pearson PTE Academic: https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scores: occupational Scores: registered
English competency tests therapists/physical nurses and B.S. level Scores: 
