Becoming a member of the College is a legal requirement for anyone who wishes to practise as a nurse in Ontario.

It is illegal for anyone to practise nursing in Ontario or to call themselves a nurse in Ontario unless they hold a valid certificate of registration with the College.

Only members of the College of Nurses can practise nursing in Ontario and use the titles "nurse," "Registered Nurse (RN)," "Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)," or "Nurse Practitioner (NP)" within the province.

Your status as an Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse assures the public that everyone who identify themselves as nurses in Ontario have gained the knowledge, skill and judgment needed to provide safe and ethical nursing care.