RETROGRESSION IN OCTOBER
The latest Visa Bulletin, released in mid-July, tells a sad story. Unless an immigration bill is passed in the next two months, retrogression for EX visas (Schedule A) will occur in October. Shortly thereafter, perhaps in November, all Schedule A cases will be frozen.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_2978.html

NBCOT WILL REQUIRE POST-BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) has deemed the completion of a post-baccalaureate degree as the entry-level into the profession in the U.S. December 31, 2006 is the last date that NBCOT will accept applications for the certification examination. Applicants with diploma or baccalaureate degrees must apply before the 12/31/06 deadline and will have until 12/31/07 to take and pass the certification examination (Occupational Therapist Registered OTR). After that date, the applicant will be required to hold a post-baccalaureate degree.

http://www.nbcot.org/WebArticles/articlefiles/FORM041306_REV_IED_Hdbk-App_2006.pdf

OTR EXAM IN MANILA
The Certification Exam for Occupational Therapist Registered is being offered internationally in Manila, Philippines. The international exam is scheduled for Saturday, October 28, 2006. Applications must be postmarked by Friday, September 22, 2006.

http://www.nbcot.org/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=70&z=15

NEWSDAY: HOUSING FOR FOREIGN NURSES ON LONG ISLAND
Hospitals nationwide are desperate for nurses and are dangling everything from fat bonuses to cruises to lure them. But the South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside is willing to go beyond that: It's building 22 brand-new 2-bedroom apartments and doling them out to recruits for a year, below market price.
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:AsXvuGaDmJcJ:www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-linurs0719,0,5838664.story%3Fcoll%3Dny-linews-headlines+newsday+housing+deal+attracts&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1

UK GOVERNMENT HEALTH SERVICE JOBS CUTS
British hospital staff job cuts that will run into more than 9,000 have been announced recently as hospitals struggle to balance their finances.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4887170.stm

HLG’s JUDY PENDERGAST AT NCSBN
HLG’s Judy Pendergast attended the National Council of State Boards of Nursing's (NCSBN) Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah August 1 through the 4th. Issues of preceptorships for new graduates and criminal background checks for license applicants were discussed. In addition, a report on the success of the expanded international NCLEX testing was provided. Although testing is not currently being conducted in the Philippines, NCSBN continues to be interested in providing the exam there.
http://www.ncsbn.org/

NOW IS THE TIME TO DONATE
With our kickoff teleconference, the time to act on retrogression is right now. Our Coalition to Improve Healthcare Staffing (CTIHS) estimates that we will need to raise as much as $100,000 in order to hire Washington DC lobbyist. If you are considering whether or not to give to the cause, the time to decide is right now. If you donate funds to the CTIHS effort you are making a bold statement that this business is important to you. If you do not, you are telling us that this issue is not important to you and that the Coalition law firms should focus their attention elsewhere.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/07.31.2006_hcalert.htm

SAN FRANCISCO: SYMPOSIUM ON INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Hammond Law Group is pleased to announce a Symposium on International Recruitment of Healthcare Workers on Friday, October 6th, 2006. The Symposium is free to all clients and friends of the firm.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/hc_symposium_10_2006.htm

HLG’S HEALTHCARE AND ADVOCACY BLOG
Healthcare Immigration legislation is at a crucial juncture. Just like last year, Hammond Law Group is working with a group of immigration attorneys who are universally committed toward making sure that the healthcare industry's needs are met. This Blog will allow HLG's attorneys to timely post all critical information about retrogression, green card quotas for nurses and other healthcare occupations, legislation, and advocacy.
http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/

PROCESSING TIMES CHART

(Note that as of April 1, 2006, all Schedule A cases must be filed at the NSC)

VISA BULLETIN