Registered Psychiatric Nurse Applicants

Apply to be a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)

RPNs focus on mental and neurodevelopmental health, mental illness, and addictions. They use the nursing process and bio-psycho-social and spiritual models of assessment for a holistic approach to care.

This section is for you if:

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

Or

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

Note: If you are an internationally educated psychiatric nurse seeking RPN licensure in Canada for the first time you are not eligible to apply to the College. You must obtain an RPN licence in another province or territory and then apply to the College as a Canadian RPN applicant.

Application Process

  • Sign up for an account in the Nurse Portal. Ensure you choose RPN.
  • After creating your account, select the 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.
  • Identify all jurisdictions where you are currently registered and licensed.
    You will need to provide a verification of registration document (PDF) from all jurisdictions where you are currently registered or licensed. Contact the licensing body to make your request. The document must be sent directly to the College by mail or email.
  • 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 must 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 RPN during the previous five (5) years.
    • If you have a current RPN licence in another Canadian province/territory with RPN practice hours in the previous five (5) years you meet the College’s currency of practice requirement.
    • If you have no RPN practice hours in the last 5 years, you are not eligible for licensure and are required to complete an RPN re-entry program.
    • Learn more about self-reporting practice hours.
  • Submit a current Criminal Record Check (CRC)
    • You must review the College’s Criminal Record 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 Canadian Criminal Record Check option (e-consent). CSI Screening will provide your results electronically to the College within 24-48 hours.
    • If you get 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 you have been convicted of an offence you must disclose this information to the College. You will be required to provide additional documentation.
  • Meet English Language Proficiency (ELP) through education, registration status, language proficiency testing, or experience.
  • Purchase the appropriate professional liability protection (PLP) coverage for Newfoundland & Labrador through the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS). RPN PLP Fee ($78.20 includes HST). You must enter your College # when purchasing CNPS. This number can be found in the CNPS-PLP section of the application.
  • Submit your application and pay the application fee invoice of $172.50 (includes tax). Your application won’t be processed until the fee is paid.

Once the College receives all required information, including your CRC, we will provide you 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 $402.47 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 Public Directory. It is your responsibility to ensure they are licensed before you start 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. 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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