The virtue of Schedule A is that it allows you to avoid the time and expense of Labor Certification. Schedule A originally consisted of a list of occupations for which the U.S. Department of Labor had found that the number of qualified workers available in the U.S. was insufficient to meet current demand. Currently there are only two occupations listed: Physical Therapists and Registered Nurses.

To qualify for Schedule A, a physical therapist must hold a bachelor's degree in physical therapy (or an equivalent degree), and have a certificate to practice in their intended state of employment. If you are not yet certified, a letter from a state licensing authority stating you are qualified to take the licensing exam is required in order to get Health Care Worker Certification from the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy. This involves proving your credentials and passing an English proficiency examination.

Except for graduates of U.S. schools of nursing, Schedule A registered "professional" nurses must hold a diploma in nursing and a license from their own country. They must also show receipt of a CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) certificate, hold a full and unrestricted license to practice in the intended state of employment or have passed the NCLEX-RN.

Before you are granted Legal Permanent Residence you must get a Health Care Worker Certificate from CGFNS. This involves proving your credentials and passing a difficult English proficiency examination.