Types of Evidence

You can demonstrate language proficiency through education, registration status, language proficiency testing or experience.

You only need to submit one form of evidence to demonstrate you have the level of proficiency to practice nursing safely and competently. For example, if you choose to submit practice experience as a nurse in an English or French setting to demonstrate your proficiency, then you do not need to submit other types of evidence.

CNO Policy: Assessing Proficiency in English or French

Option

Description

Required Documents


Nursing education in any jurisdiction

Completing an entry-level nursing program or additional education in English or French within the past two years

Your education:

  • can be completed in any jurisdiction
  • must have a theory and clinical component (e.g., clinical practicum, placement or co-op). The clinical component must be completed in a practice setting where one of the primary languages used is either English or French and must include direct interactions with patients, clients and/or other health care professionals. Virtual clinical hours are not accepted exclusively.

CNO requires one of the following forms to support your evidence:

 


 

Health care or health care support education in Canada
Completing a health care or health care support program in English or French in Canada within the past two years
  • program must have theory and a clinical component (e.g., clinical practicum, placement or co-op). The clinical component must be completed in a practice setting where one of the primary languages used is either English or French and must include direct interactions with patients, clients and/or other health care professionals. Virtual clinical hours are not accepted exclusively.

CNO requires the following forms to support your evidence:

 


 

Nursing practice in any jurisdiction

Completing one of the following:

A. Practice experience as a nurse where English or French are one of the primary languages used by the applicant in the practice setting within the past two years. Practice experience includes:

  • providing direct patient/client care or delivering services that have a direct or indirect effect on a patient/client’s care or on healthcare system
  • direct interactions with patients, clients and/or other health care professionals
  • clinical and non-clinical experiences for RNs and RPNs.

CNO will consider practice experiences in both paid and volunteer roles in any jurisdiction

B. Successful completion of a supervised practice experience within the past two years through:

Practice Experience must include:

  • providing direct patient/client care or services
  • direct interactions with patients, clients and/or other health care professionals

CNO requires one of the following forms to support your evidence:

 


 

Health care or health care support experience in Canada

Experience providing health care or health care support services in English or French in Canada within the past two years.

Experience must include:

  • providing direct patient/client care or services
  • direct interactions with patients, clients and/or other health care professionals

CNO will consider experiences in both paid and volunteer roles in any jurisdiction.

The applicant's level of proficiency must be verified by a Regulated Health Professional (RHP) who works with the applicant in the health care or practice setting. The RHP must be active and practicing in their profession and can verify the applicants’ use of language skills in English or French in the healthcare or practice setting.

CNO requires the following form to support your evidence:

 


 

Registration

Holding current registration or previously held registration as a practicing nurse with CNO or in another Canadian jurisdiction (e.g. Registered Nurse, Licensed/Registered Practical Nurse, Nurse Practitioner)

One of the following must be sent directly to CNO from the Canadian nursing regulatory authority:

 


 

Language Proficiency Test
Tests results must be sent directly to CNO from the test centre or language proficiency organization

Extension of language proficiency

Applicants whose evidence of language proficiency expires before they register with CNO will be granted a one-year extension. This one-time extension is part of CNO’s commitment to ensuring that you experience application assessment processes that are informed, fair, inclusive and effective. You do not need to contact CNO to request an extension.

Please note that applicants who received a special extension during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2021, will not qualify for another one-year extension.