Becoming a Registered Nurse
Work in Canada
About Canadian Educational Programs
Where can I find out how to obtain a visa to study in Canada?
Contact a Canadian embassy or consulate regarding the criteria and procedures to
obtain a visa to study in Canada.
Where can I obtain information about becoming licensed to practise
nursing in Canada?
In Canada, nursing registration or licensure does not occur nationally. Candidates must be
licensed or registered in the province or territory in which they will practise nursing.
Whether nurses are licensed or registered depends on the specific legislation in the
province or territory. For a list of registering/licensing
authorities, please click on the link. Contact the appropriate registering/licensing
authority to request application forms.
Will I need to write an examination to become licensed to practise in
Canada?
All Canadian provinces and territories except Quebec require that candidates write the
Canadian Registered Nurses Examination as part of the registration or licensure
process. At present, this examination can only be written in Canada on the
recommendation of a provincial or territorial nurses association. CNA publishes The Canadian RN
Exam Prep Guide, which you will find useful in preparing for the exam
and is available for purchase in the publication section of this web site. Please
contact L'Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec
for information about the registration/licensure examination in the province of Quebec.
What languages do I need to know in order to become a registered nurse?
Language proficiency is required to become registered or licensed in Canada. Bilingualism
(French and English) is an asset. Candidates must have knowledge of French to practise in
Québec. In New Brunswick and Ontario, candidates must be proficient in either French or
English. Employment and nursing education programs for unilingual French speaking nurses
are available in Québec and in certain areas in New Brunswick and Ontario. In these
provinces the Canadian RN exam may be written in either French or English. In the other
provinces and territories of Canada proficiency in English is the requirement.
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