Beginning Your Application – Graduates from Outside Canada

The registration process can begin after you have had your educational credentials validated. Please select the approved educational credential assessment (ECA) service provider you prefer and you will be directed to information on how to start the validation process.

Once the ECA service provider has authenticated and verified the required documents, they will send your education credentials to CNO. You will be notified by the ECA service provider that your information has been sent to CNO.

For applicants who have already had an educational credential assessment with one of the approved service providers prior to April 1, 2025, you must contact the service provider to direct them to send your information to CNO.

Once you receive confirmation that your information has been sent to CNO from an ECA service provider you may start an application with CNO.

CNO will not start your application process until we receive:

• the fee required to begin the registration process
• your nursing education documents from one of our approved ECAs

Nursing Education

CNO will determine if you meet the nursing education requirement based on the validated education documents from your chosen ECA service provider.

If further assessment is needed to determine if your education meets substantial equivalence, CNO may ask you for more information, for example course descriptions, if needed

Fees and Timelines

CNO's initial application fee is payable when you ask CNO to consider your application, The fee is non-refundable. Contact CNO if you have any questions.

Contact the ECA service provider of your choice directly about its fees and refund policy.

For information about exam fees, contact the National Council of States Board of Nursing (NCSBN).

Completing the registration process can take approximately 12 months, but this is a guideline only. The timely receipt of documentation and other information from the applicant will impact the time to complete the registration

Factors that may delay an applicant’s registration include:

• graduating from a program that doesn’t meet the nursing education requirement
• failing to provide evidence of having practised nursing or graduated from a nursing program within the past three years
• failing to provide evidence that demonstrates language proficiency in either English or French
• the time needed to translate official documents into either English or French
• failing to successfully complete the required Transition to Practice requirement, registration examination or jurisprudence examination
• information about your conduct, competence and health that may require further review and follow-up
• failing to produce other documents in a timely manner

Don't Forget...

Keep copies of your completed forms for your records. Ensure all forms are dated and signed.

You can submit your citizenship documentation at any time during the application process.

Incomplete or missing information, including insufficient fees, may result in a delay in processing your application.

Providing false or misleading information and/or documents in support of your application for registration may result in a refusal of your application for registration or the cancellation of any certificate that may have been issued.

Registration option while waiting to complete outstanding registration requirements

Most individuals who want to join CNO, apply to enter the General Class. In some cases, the Temporary Class may be an option. Learn more about the Temporary Class and how to apply for it in Registration Guides.