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Nursing in Canada

In Canada, each province has the nursing regulatory body that is authorized by the Canadian government to decide the criteria for becoming a nurse in each province, and the standards of practice that must have met to maintain that designation. Only those with a valid certificate of registration from the nursing regulatory body of each province can practice as a nurse in that province and use the titles "nurse," "registered nurse," "or "registered practical nurse."

Registration Requirements

The Registration Requirements for nurses in Canada are set by the Nursing Act of Canada, such as;

  • Completion of a post-secondary nursing education program;
  • Evidence of good character - no record of criminal convictions relevant to the practice of nursing, and no dishonesty or misinterpretation on application for registration;
  • Evidence of fitness to practice - based on satisfactory employment references, registration in good standing in other jurisdictions, no health problems that impair ability to practice, and fluency in English;
  • Evidence of competence to practice - based on recent nursing experience or completion of nursing education, employment references and results of Canadian Registered Nurse Examination.

Registration Process

Step 1: Preassessment

  • After an applicant fills out the application for the nursing registration and sends it to the nursing regulatory body of each province with other required documents , such as verifications or transcripts, they will match the application and the documents, and establish a file.
  • the applicant is notified in writing if there are outstanding documents or problems with the application.
  • The nursing regulatory body may request a reference directly from the current or recent employer.

Step 2: Assessment

  • When all required documents have been received by the nursing regulatory body, the application is assessed.
  • If the applicant is eligible for registration, they send an initial registration form and notification of the required membership fee.
  • If the applicant is not yet eligible, they notify him/ her in writing of any outstanding requirements.
  • If the applicant is required to take the registration examination, and has met all other requirements for registration, an exam application is sent. The exam is written four times a year - January, June, August and October. If successful on the exam, they send an initial registration form and notification of the required membership fee to the applicant.

Step 3: Registration

  • When the completed initial registration form and fees are received, all information is checked and registration is usually granted provided the criminal record check has been completed.

Processing Time

  • An applicant with current practicing membership in another Canadian province is usually eligible for registration within two months.
  • An applicant who is registering in Canada for the first time receives an assessment letter outlining any remaining requirements for registration, usually within 4 to 5 months. The time period to eligibility for registration will vary depending on which requirements have to be met.

Canadian Provincial/Territorial Nursing Regulatory Bodies

RN RPN

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