The transition to practice (TTP) requirement ensures that applicants who enter the nursing profession in Ontario are familiar with the competencies specific to the Canadian context of practice.

You can meet this requirement by providing evidence of any of the following:

  • Completion of a Canadian baccalaureate degree or diploma in nursing within the past three years, including as an Ontario graduate

  • Registration as a nurse in a Canadian jurisdiction (outside Ontario) in the same category for which you are applying to CNO

  • Practice as a nurse in Canada within the past three years, including practice as a nurse in the General Class in Ontario

  • Successful completion of a CNO-approved transition to practice course — the course will be valid for five years from completion

  • Successful completion of the Education Pathway program offered by schools — the program will be valid for three years from completion

CNO will assess all information submitted to determine whether you meet the transition to practice requirement. We will advise you of next steps if you have not met the requirement.

Transition to Practice FAQs

All RN and RPN applicants must meet the TTP requirement.  Many applicants will meet the requirement through their Canadian nursing education or an existing Canadian registration. Other applicants may need to take a TTP course. 

The TTP requirement supports nurses’ successful transition into practice. It focuses on competencies related to patient safety. The requirement was developed by examining common challenges new nurses face in practice settings. These include adjusting to the level of autonomy expected in the practice setting and understanding the patient’s right to make informed decisions about their treatments. TTP will provide applicants with specialized knowledge that helps them understand the responsibilities and expectations of nursing in Ontario’s unique health care environment. 

You can find a TTP course through several educational institutions that are approved by CNO. The course focuses on 31 safety-critical competencies. We know from research that these competencies will support your transition to nursing practice in Ontario. For example, the course will help you adjust to the level of autonomy expected in the practice setting and adapt your practice to meet client care needs in a continually changing health care system.

The requirement is not a barrier to registration. In fact, there is evidence that it will help you successfully integrate into nursing practice. All applicants to CNO must meet the requirement.

  • Ontario nursing graduates will meet the requirement by completing the course through their nursing education program.
  • Applicants registered to practice in another Canadian jurisdiction will meet the requirement through their current Canadian registration.
  • Internationally educated applicants will meet the requirement by completing a TTP course.

No. The TTP course does not cover content in the jurisprudence exam.

No. Nurses who are currently registered with CNO and are practicing in Ontario do not have to obtain additional education to meet the TTP requirement if they are applying to register in a new category of nursing. Only RN and RPN applicants who are not yet registered in Ontario must meet this requirement. 

The courses are delivered online through one of several CNO-approved educational institutions in Ontario.

The length of the course and other details will vary depending on the educational institution. The courses typically range between 7 and 14 weeks and are delivered online during one term. All approved courses have met CNO’s established learning outcomes.  They are designed to meet the TTP requirement. There is no clinical component to the course.

Pick your course based on your preferred learning style. For instance, a seven-week course may be self-paced and self-directed and give you a chance to complete it quickly. A 14-week course could have both independent and group-based learning. Both types of courses will be supervised by a faculty member with experience supporting online learning.

No, TTP courses do not have a clinical component. They are designed to support successful transition into practice in Ontario. 

No. This is an additional requirement that was implemented specifically to ensure a successful transition to nursing practice in Ontario for all applicants. The other registration requirements are still in place. Visit the links for each requirement for detailed information.

No, Temporary Class registrants must meet all registration requirements, including TTP, before they can register in the General Class.