In general, the following requirements must be met for each type of reinstatement regardless of how long you have been out of practice. Applicants who do not meet the reinstatement requirements can request a review of their application by the Registration Committee.

Reinstatement to CNO following a resignation or the expiration of a certificate

1. Submit an application

To begin the reinstatement process, former registrants must apply by submitting an application to CNO. Applicants have three years, starting from the date their CNO membership ended, to request reinstatement. CNO will consider applications from individuals who have been out of practice for longer than three years if they meet the requirements that show they are competent and safe to practice.

2. Correct deficiencies resulting in a registrant’s certificate becoming expired

This refers to paying any outstanding fees, submitting any outstanding information, or correcting any other factors that led to the expiration of the certificate of registration.

3. Evidence of practice

The applicant must show evidence of recent practice within three years prior to the date of meeting all other requirements for the reinstatement of the requested certificate. This timeframe may be extended by CNO if the applicant qualifies.

There are several ways to meet the Evidence of Practice requirement:

• Participating in the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership program
• Participating in a Supervised Practice Experience
• Taking a refresher course
• Practicing in the jurisdiction where you are registered, and
• Applying for CNO’s consideration to determine if you qualify for an extension of the three-year period.

4. Payment of applicable reinstatement fees

5. Eligibility for reinstatement

When assessing applications for reinstatement, CNO will consider individual factors related to competence and safety of applicants who previously practiced in Ontario. Applicants will also have to show CNO that they have experience practicing.

An applicant is ineligible for reinstatement if, after being a registrant, they were:

• found guilty of any criminal offence in any jurisdiction or of any offence involving the use, possession or sale of drugs in any jurisdiction
• found guilty of any offence related to the practice of nursing or any other profession
• the subject of an inquiry or investigation by the Executive Director that was not completed at the time the applicant stopped being a registrant or that resulted in the registrant’s resignation
• still the subject of an outstanding order of a Committee or of a panel of a Committee or a Board of Inquiry with CNO
• in breach of an order of a Committee or of a panel of a Committee or a Board of Inquiry of CNO
• in breach of any written agreement with or undertaking provided to CNO
• refused registration in nursing or any other profession in any jurisdiction
• the subject of a finding of professional negligence or malpractice in any jurisdiction in relation to nursing or any other profession
• ordered to undergo an assessment or reassessment, or to undergo any continuing education or remedial program, under CNO’s Quality Assurance Program that was not completed before they stopped being a registrant

Reinstatement from the general class to the extended class

1. Evidence of practice

The applicant must provide evidence of clinical NP practice (as defined below for each requested specialty certificate) within three years prior to the date of meeting all other requirements for the reinstatement of the Extended Class certificate for the requested specialty. Clinical NP practice from outside of Ontario will be considered.

Clinical NP practice must include:

• direct interaction with the patient population(s) appropriate for each requested specialty certificate and
• the use of advanced nursing knowledge and decision-making skill in health assessment, diagnosis and therapeutics in the treatment of those clients.

2. Jurisprudence examination

The applicant must successfully complete, within the five years prior to the date on which the member satisfied all the other requirements for reinstatement, the RN(EC) Jurisprudence Exam.

3. Payment of applicable reinstatement fees