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.