Registration Requirements

This section lists the registration requirements for applicants who are not registered to practice as an NP in Canada or who practice under Temporary, Provisional, Graduate or other similar registrations in other Canadian jurisdictions.

If you are an NP with an equivalent certificate of registration to practice in another Canadian jurisdiction and you are applying register as an NP in Ontario, please review this section of the guide for details of your registration requirements.

During the application process, CNO assesses all NP applicants to determine whether they meet the following registration requirements.

If CNO finds that you do not meet one or more of these requirements, then you may be asked to provide more information or do something (such as complete an evaluation or additional education) that allows you to meet those requirements.

You have the right to request a review of your application if you want to appeal any decision made by CNO staff or the Registration Committee concerning your application.

See Registration Requirements for further information about each of these requirements.

Eligibility for registration in the General Class

You must demonstrate that:

you are or have been registered as an RN in the General Class in Ontario or
you are eligible to register as an RN in the General Class in Ontario or
you are or have been registered as an RN with a health regulatory authority elsewhere in Canada, in one of the states within the United States of America, or in another jurisdiction approved by Council.

See Classes of Registration for more information on the registration requirements for the General Class.

Nursing Education

You must demonstrate the successful completion of an approved NPeducation program for the requested NP specialty certificate.

Evidence of Practice

You must show that you have recent experience practising in an advanced nursing practice role. Your practice must include direct interaction with client population(s) consistent with each specialty certificate for which you are seeking registration and the use of advanced nursing knowledge and decision-making skill in health assessment, diagnosis and therapeutics in the treatment of those clients. Most applicants automatically meet this requirement by completing an approved NP program within the past three years, or by providing evidence of practising in a clinical NP role. For more information, click here.

Registration Examination

You must successfully complete the registration examination approved by the College for the specialty certificate that you are requesting.

Jurisprudence Examination

You must successfully complete the NP Jurisprudence Examination.

Proficiency in English or French

You must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French.

Citizenship

You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or hold authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to engage in the practice of nursing in Ontario.

Past Offences and Findings

You must truthfully state whether you have ever been found guilty of an offence, refused registration, had a finding related to the practice of nursing or another profession against you, or are involved in certain proceedings.

Health and Conduct

You must declare whether you suffer from any physical or mental condition or disorder that could affect your ability to practise nursing in a safe manner. The College must also be satisfied that you will practise with decency, honesty and integrity, and in accordance with the law.