• Evidence of fluency in written and spoken English or French
• Registration or eligibility for registration in the jurisdiction where a nursing program was completed.
• Proof of Canadian Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to engage in the practice of nursing.
• Good character and suitability to practice, as indicated by a Declaration of Registration Requirements and a Canadian Criminal Record Synopsis.

A valid certificate of registration from the College is required of all nurses who wish to practice nursing in Canada and perform the procedures in the controlled acts that are authorized to nursing.

 Canada has now opened doors for internationally trained nurses.

 All Canadian provinces have their own requirements and regulations, including professional designations, such as LPN, RPN or RN and must meet the mandatory education requirements for a nurse in Canada.

The first step to living and working in Canada as a nurse is to get all your qualifications assessed and converted into North American standards by the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS). To do this, you must also have a clear idea about which Canadian province you wish to live and work in. It’s important to note that registration requirements vary from province and territory, and therefore, aspiring nurses must be assessed by the nursing regulatory body in the province or territory they aim to live and work in.

As an Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) you must set up an account with NNAS before your application will be considered by any Canadian nursing regulatory body.

NNAS will evaluate it and provide you with online access to an Advisory Report, which contains results of the evaluation. NNAS will also send a copy of this report to the relevant regulatory body.

You are then allowed to apply directly to the regulatory body of your choice and pay their application fee. You will be able to do all this from your NNAS online account.

It is important to note that, the regulatory body and not NNAS, will determine if you are eligible to register, or whether you need additional assessments or must take additional courses. It is the regulatory body that will make the final decision about your registration or licensure.