Canadian RN

This section is for you if:

  • You are a Registered Nurse (RN) with a current licence to practice in another Canadian province or territory.

Or

  • You were previously licensed as a Registered Nurse in another Canadian province or territory.

Application Process

  • Sign up for an account in the College Nurse Portal
  • After creating your account, select Practicing licence option.
  • Complete your application:
    • Upload two (2) of the following government issued identification documents, one of which must contain a photo:
      • Passport
      • Driver’s License
      • Birth certificate
      • Permanent resident card
      • Citizenship card
      • Immigration card
    • If your name has changed, upload a legal change of name document or marriage certificate.
  • Submit the College application processing fee ($172.50 CAD includes HST) with your application. Staff will review your application and follow up if you need to submit any additional information. The application fee is non-refundable once the application review process has begun.
  • Identify all jurisdictions where you are currently registered and licensed.
  • In most instances, the College can verify your current licensure online. The College will inform you if additional information is required and/or if a Verification of Registration (PDF) from another regulatory body is required by the College.
  • Nursing Employment Information
    • Provide employment information for your current nursing employer(s). If you are not currently employed in nursing, you must provide employment information for your most recent nursing employer(s)
    • You will be required to declare if you have ever been suspended or terminated from any nursing employment. If yes, you will need to provide a brief explanation. The College will inform you if additional information is required.
  • Practice Hours Information
    You must declare the number of hours you practiced as an RN during the previous five (5) years.
    • If you have a current RN licence in another Canadian province/territory with RN practice hours in the previous five (5) years you meet the College’s currency of practice requirement.
    • If you have no RN practice hours in the previous five (5) years you may be eligible for the College’s Supervised Practice Experience Partnership Program with a Newfoundland & Labrador employer.
    • If you have no RN practice hours in the last 10 years are not eligible for licensure and are required to complete an RN re-entry program.
    • To learn more about self-reporting practice hours review the College’s page on self-reporting nursing practice hours.
  • Submit a current Criminal Record Check (CRC)
    • You must review the College’s Criminal Background Check page.
    • Only CRCs obtained within the last six (6) months will be accepted.
    • You are encouraged to use the online CRC service provider – CSI Screening – and select the Enhanced Canadian Criminal Record Check option. CSI Screening will provide your results electronically to the College within 24-48 hours.
    • If you obtain a CRC through local police or the RCMP, the original hard copy of the CRC must be submitted to the College by mail or in person. If received electronically the College must be able to confirm the document if valid.
    • If you have been convicted of an offence, you must disclose this information to the College and will be required to provide additional documentation.
  • Meet English Language Proficiency (ELP) through education, registration status, language proficiency testing, or experience.
    • You must review the College’s English Language (ELP) page to determine if you need to submit a test of English proficiency or if you meet one of the other methods of demonstrating ELP.
  • Purchase the appropriate professional liability protection (PLP) coverage for Newfoundland & Labrador through the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS). RN PLP Fee ($78.20 includes HST), NP PLP fee ($183.43 includes HST)

    Applicants must enter their College # when purchasing CNPS. This number can be found in the CNPS-PLP section of the application.

Once the College receives all required information, including your CRC, you will be provided with a decision within three (3) business days.

If you are eligible for licensure the College will direct you to the next steps to be granted a practicing RN licence. The annual licensure fee is $412.47 CAD, plus Professional Liability Protection fee ($78.20 CAD) paid directly to the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS).

You must confirm licensure status though the College’s Search for a Nurse. It is your responsibility to ensure you are licensed prior to commencing nursing practice.

Unauthorized Practice: Practicing without a valid practicing licence will result in an Unauthorized Practice Fee of $100 per day worked up to a maximum of $1000 and you will have a referral to the College’s Quality Assurance program where the period of unauthorized practice exceeds seven (7) days from and including the first day of practice. This applies to nursing practice in all domains (clinical, administration, education, and policy/research).

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