1. Begin with National Credential Assessment (NNAS)
Most internationally educated nurses (IENs) must register with the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS). This is your first official step toward practicing nursing in Canada.
Steps in the NNAS process:
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Create an online account and submit essential documents—including passport, academic transcripts, nursing registration/licence, employment verification, and language test results. Your transcripts and employment confirmations must be sent directly by institutions or employers.
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Pay the required fees. The expedited service (around 750 CAD) is faster and, in many cases, more economical than standard processing (~650 USD).
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Once verified, NNAS issues an Advisory Report, which interprets how your credentials align with Canadian standards. This report is then forwarded to your chosen provincial regulator.
2. Choose Your Province and Submit to the Regulator
Canada's nursing regulation is province-based, meaning each province has its own College of Nurses. After receiving your NNAS Advisory Report:
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Apply to the provincial regulator in the jurisdiction where you plan to work—examples include Ontario (CNO), British Columbia (BCCNM), or Manitoba (CRNM).
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Depending on your background and where you completed your training, you may qualify for expedited pathways. Nurses educated in the U.S., UK, Australia, Ireland, or New Zealand can sometimes bypass parts of the standard route. For instance, Manitoba offers an expedited registration pathway for nurses trained in these countries.
3. Bridging, Competency Assessment, or Education Gaps
If your credentials aren't fully comparable:
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Some provinces require bridging programs, competency assessments, or additional exams to address education or clinical gaps.
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British Columbia uses the Nursing Community Assessment Service (NCAS) to evaluate competency, with credential assessments done via WES, ICES, or CES.
4. Pass Licensing Examinations (as Required)
Depending on your status and province:
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Registered Nurses (RNs) typically need to pass the NCLEX‑RN, a computerized test that assesses nursing knowledge and clinical judgment.
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Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) may be required to pass the CPNRE or the newer REx‑PN, depending on province.
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You may also need a jurisprudence exam—focused on local practice laws, ethics, and nursing standards.
5. Meet Other Requirements & Gain Full Registration
Additional provincial requirements can include:
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Proof of language proficiency, if not already validated via NNAS.
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Evidence of good character, recent nursing practice, or additional professional checks.
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Once all criteria are met, you receive full licensure, allowing you to practice nursing in that province.
6. Optional Provincial or Internal Mobility
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If you're already licensed in one Canadian province, the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) allows for mobility—but you must typically verify your license and meet practice-hour requirements. For example, B.C. may require up to 1,125 practice hours before granting registration to nurses from other provinces.
7. Timeline and Real Experiences
Here's what timelines can look like in real life:
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A nurse on Reddit shared:
"I started Jan 2021 with NNAS… May 2021 work permit… Jan 2022 NNAS report, Feb 2022 applied to CNO, and by May 2022 I was working as an RN." Reddit
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Another nurse described how international credential submission spanned months, especially with NNAS delays:
"The documentation submission portion took me MONTHS." Reddit
Summary Table: Licensing Pathway
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. NNAS Credential Assessment | Submit documents, choose regular or expedited, receive Advisory Report |
| 2. Provincial Application | Apply to your selected provincial College of Nurses |
| 3. Bridging / Competency | Complete required gap-filling steps (e.g., NCAS or bridging programs) |
| 4. Licensing Exams | Pass NCLEX‑RN (RNs) or CPNRE / REx‑PN (LPNs/RPNs), plus jurisprudence |
| 5. Additional Requirements | Provide language proof, background checks, and evidence of recent practice |
| 6. Full Registration | Receive your official license and start practicing |
| 7. Interprovincial Transfer | If applicable, adhere to CFTA rules and practice-hour requirements |
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