Regulation of Nurses

The focus of the regulation of nursing is public protection. Regulation of the profession assures the public that they are receiving safe and ethical care from competent, qualified registered nurses.

The regulatory system for nursing in Canada reflects the country’s federal and provincial/territorial government structure. Health-care delivery is the responsibility of the provincial and territorial governments, as is the regulation of all health-care professions. Provinces and territories grant responsibility for nursing regulation to professional colleges and/or nursing associations.

For information on how to become a nurse in Canada please click here.

Nurses are licensed and registered to practise nursing by the provincial and territorial professional colleges and/or associations. Therefore, if a nurse wishes to practise nursing in a specific province or territory he or she must apply to be licensed and registered by the college and/or association in that province or territory. There is no national licence in Canada; each province or territory licenses nurses within each individual jurisdiction. Click here for a list of the provincial and territorial regulatory bodies’ websites, for information about the processes and policies in the jurisdiction where you wish to be employed.

The regulatory framework for nursing in Canada comprises three areas of focus: promoting good practice, preventing poor practice and intervening with unacceptable practice. For more information on the regulatory framework and self-regulation of nursing please see the resources listed below.

Additional resources:

CNA’s Support of Regulatory Excellence in Canada
A Summary of Success

Canadian Regulatory Framework for Registered Nurses

Nursing Now: Understanding Self-Regulation

Position Statement: Accountability: Regulatory Framework

Regulation and Integration of International Nurse Applicants into the Canadian Health System