Internationally Educated Nurse – RN

International Applicants

This section is for you if you want to become an RN and:

  • You were educated at the Registered Nurse (RN) level and completed your entry-level education program outside of Canada.

and

  • You do not hold RN registration in another Canadian province/territory.

NOTE: You are not eligible to apply to the College if you:

  • were educated as a midwife, or specialty nurse.

Or

  • completed a psychiatric/mental health nursing program outside Canada. You may be eligible for licensure as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) but must obtain an RPN licence in another Canadian province first before applying to the College for RPN licensure.

The College will assess your application under one of the following pathways:

  • Designated countries pathway
    • If you completed your entry-level nursing education in Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, UK or USA you meet the education requirement for registration.
  • General pathway
    • If you completed your entry-level nursing education outside one of the designated countries, you will require further competence (Inspire Global) assessment to determine if your education meets the requirements for registration.

Critical information for International Applicants

  1. Apply for an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
    You will need to get an ECA if you are educated outside Canada. An ECA confirms that you graduated from an accredited nursing education program and determines the general academic level (diploma or degree) of the credential in Canada.
  2. English Language Requirements
    All applicants for licensure in Newfoundland and Labrador must show acceptable English proficiency. The College will review the information you provide in your application to determine if you need to complete an English language test.

    If required, you must meet scores set by the College Board. For details on demonstrating proficiency, see the College’s English language requirements.

  3. Criminal Record Check (CRC)
    You must submit a criminal record check, and you will be required to declare on your application if you have ever been convicted of a crime or offence.
    • If you currently reside in Canada and have Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status, or other visa/work permit status, you are required to provide a CRC for Canada.
    • If you do not currently reside in Canada you must submit a CRC for each country you have lived in.

      For more information on submitting your CRC you must review the information on the College’s CRC page.

  4. NCLEX-RN Exam
    If you have already passed the NCLEX-RN exam, the College will notify you if further verification of your exam result is needed. The exam is one part of the licensure process and having already passed the NCLEX-RN exam does not mean you are instantly eligible for a licence; your nursing education must also meet the requirements for licensure.

    If you have not taken the NCLEX-RN exam yet, the College will let you know how to register for the exam after reviewing and approving your application.

  5. Translation of documents
    If your supporting documents that are in a language other than English you must include an official translation of the original document, or a certified copy of the original document in English. That translation must be completed by a certified translator.

  6. Apply to the College and choose the correct application:
    • If you have not passed NCLEX-RN apply as an EXAM CANDIDATE.
    • If you have passed NCLEX-RN through another jurisdiction apply as PRACTICING.

      You will find more information on the application process below:

Application process:

  • Sign up for an account in the College Nurse Portal.
  • After creating your account ensure you choose the correct application.
  • 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.

  • Verification of nursing licensure
    Identify all jurisdictions where you where you originally registered and from each place where you are currently registered or licenced to practice as a Registered Nurse.

    The College may be able to 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.

  • Nursing Employment History
    As part of your application, you will provide employment information for all your nursing employer(s) in the last five (5) years.

    You will also declare if you have ever been suspended or terminated from any nursing employment. If you answer yes, you will need to provide a brief explanation. The College will let you know if additional information is needed.

  • Practice Hours (Currency of Practice)
    You will self-report on the application the number of hours you worked as an RN over the last five (5) years. Currency of practice is set in legislation:
    • graduated from entry-level nursing program in the last 3 years; or
    • practiced as an RN for 1125 hours in the last 5 years OR 450 hours in the last 2 years; or
    • completed an approved re-entry program in the last 3 years.

      NOTE: For practice hours to be recognized you must have been licenced as an RN in the country/state/province where you worked the hours.

      Documentation of your hours from employer(s) is not generally required. However, the College may determine that verification of your hours is required. If so, the College will let you know if you will need to request documentation.

      To learn more about self-reporting practice hours review the College’s page on self-reporting nursing practice hours.

NEXT STEPS

Once all the required documentation has been received by the College, your file will be sent for review. During the review your application may be returned to you for additional information or documentation. You will receive an email from the College that your application has been returned to you with feedback. A complete application will be reviewed, and you will be provided with a decision within 15 business days.

A complete application includes all required documentation, and any additional information requested.

Based on a review of your nursing education and currency of practice hours there are several pathways to registration:

Meet Education Requirements but do not meet currency of practice (designated countries)

  1. Eligible for RN License
    If you are eligible for licensure, the College will let you know by email and direct you to the next steps to apply for a practicing licence.

    The annual licensure fee is $412.47 and the Professional Liability Protection fee ($78.20) must be paid directly to the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS).

    Or
  2. Eligible for NCLEX-RN and Temporary licence
    If your application is approved but you have not taken the NCLEX-RN exam, the College will contact you by email with next steps on how to take the exam and apply for a temporary licence.

    A temporary licence is a time-limited (4 month) permit to practice nursing while finalizing your licensure requirements. The temporary licence fee is $156.40 and the Professional Liability Protection fee ($78.20) must be paid directly to the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS).

Meet Education Requirements and do not meet currency of practice (designated countries)

  1. You may be eligible for a temporary licence to participate in the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership Program (SPEPP) with a Newfoundland and Labrador employer to gain currency of practice

    OR
  2. You may be required to complete the IEN bridging/re-entry program.

Does Not Meet Education Requirements (general pathway)

If you were educated outside one of the designated countries, you will fall under this pathway and depending on the outcome of the review of your application the following options are available:

  1. Competency Based Assessment and bridging education
    • You will be required to complete a competency assessment using the Inspire Global Assessment. The assessment has two components (computer and in-person) and the outcome of the Inspire assessment will determine if you need further education (select courses or full bridging program) to address competency gaps before you are eligible for registration.

      There are fees associated with both the Inspire Assessment & bridging courses.

      OR
    • You can choose to complete the full IEN bridging/re-entry program.

      After completing the Inspire Assessment and any identified education the College will let you know by email and direct you to the next steps to apply for a temporary licence and the next steps to take the NCLEX-RN exam (if you have not already passed the exam). If you don’t meet currency of practice you may be eligible for an temporary licence to participate in the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership Program (SPEPP) with a Newfoundland and Labrador employer to gain currency of practice.

      Following the successful completion of NCLEX-RN and meeting currency of practice you may be deemed eligible for licensure; the College will notify you by email and direct you to the next steps to apply for a practicing licence.

      The annual licensure fee is $412.47 and the Professional Liability Protection fee ($78.20) must be paid directly to the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS).
  2. Missing Specific Content Areas
    • If you are missing specific content areas from your nursing program (e.g., pediatrics), you may be eligible for a temporary licence with restrictions that will allow you to practice while you complete the required education.

      OR
    • Your application may be denied.

Does Not Meet Education Requirements and do not meet currency of practice (general pathway)

  • You will be required to complete the full IEN bridging/re-entry program.

OR

  • Your application may be denied.

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