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Becoming a nurse in Ontario

Ontario handles internationally educated applicants directly rather than through NNAS, and regulates RNs and RPNs under one college. It is also one of only two jurisdictions using the REx-PN.

Registered Nurse (RN)

NCLEX-RN

Regulator
CNO
Format
Adaptive
Length
85–150 items · 5 h
Next Gen formats
Yes

College of Nurses of Ontario

NCLEX-RN prep

Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)

REx-PN

Regulator
CNO
Format
Adaptive
Length
90–150 items · 4 h
Next Gen formats
Yes

College of Nurses of Ontario

REx-PN prep

Internationally educated nurses

Ontario assesses applications directly

You apply to the college directly rather than opening an NNAS file. This removes one queue from the process, but the document requirements are the same and the transcript timelines are just as unforgiving. Request everything from your former school before you submit anything else.

The full sequence

  1. 1

    Choose your designation and province

    Days

    RN or RPN/LPN, and where you intend to register. This one decision determines which exam you write and which regulator holds your file.

  2. 2

    Credential assessment

    4 to 8 months

    Most provinces route international applicants through the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS), which collects documents and issues an advisory report. Ontario assesses directly.

  3. 3

    Language proficiency

    1 to 3 months

    CELBAN is the nursing-specific option and is generally the easier route. IELTS Academic and CELPIP are also accepted, with scores set by each regulator.

  4. 4

    Apply to the provincial regulator

    2 to 6 months

    Submit the assessment report, identification, references and jurisprudence requirements to the college in your province.

  5. 5

    Receive Authorization to Test

    2 to 6 weeks

    Once the regulator confirms eligibility, you register with the exam vendor and receive an Authorization to Test with a scheduling window.

  6. 6

    Write the exam

    One day

    NCLEX-RN and REx-PN are adaptive and end when the engine is confident about your result. CPNRE is a fixed 165-item paper.

  7. 7

    Register and begin practice

    2 to 6 weeks

    The regulator issues your registration number. Some provinces allow provisional or conditional practice while the final steps complete.

Registering somewhere else?

British ColumbiaAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaNova ScotiaNew BrunswickNewfoundland and LabradorPrince Edward IslandYukonNorthwest TerritoriesNunavut

Requirements, fees and processing times change. Always confirm current requirements directly with College of Nurses of Ontario before making decisions or payments. BeNurse is not affiliated with any regulator.