Informed, fair, inclusive and effective. These are the goals of our applicant assessment processes, so they contribute to improved access to safe nursing care. To get there, we’ve started modernizing the process we use to assess applicants.

“We are relentlessly focused on modernizing our applicant assessment process to ensure the health care system has access to skilled nurses needed to deliver safe, quality care,” says Anne Coghlan, CNO’s Executive Director & CEO.

Our goals are to make the way we assess applicant information more efficient and update relevant policies. As well, we aim to reduce the time it takes for an applicant to become registered. This is one of the outcomes of our new Strategic Plan 2021-2024.

There is a new entry-to-practice exam for those applying to become a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) in Ontario or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in B.C. The exam, called REx-PN, launched on Jan. 4, 2022. It replaces the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) for Ontario and B.C. students.