Special Assignment Class
The Special Assignment Class is an option for nurses who have an appointment as an RN or RPN with an approved facility in Ontario.
Members in this class can only practise within the scope of their appointment and only under defined terms and conditions (see below).
Registration Requirements
Applicants to the Special Assignment Class must meet the following registration requirements before they can practice nursing in Ontario.
- demonstrate successful completion of a nursing education program recognized or approved in the jurisdiction in which the program was taken and designed to prepare them for the type of nursing they want to practice in Ontario
- demonstrate Evidence of Practice by showing they have recent practice as a nurse
- successfully complete the jurisprudence examination
- show proficiency in English or French
- provide proof they are authorized to work in Ontario
- state any past offences, registration refusals in other jurisdictions, findings related to the practice of nursing or another profession against you, or are involved in certain proceedings
- declare any health conditions that could affect your ability to safely practice nursing.
In addition, applicants to the Special Assignment Class must:
- have an appointment or special assignment with a facility in Ontario recognized by CNO, or an assignment approved by a panel of the Registration Committee
- not have previously been registered as an RN or RPN with CNO except as a member of the Special Assignment or Emergency Assignment classes
- not have been previously registered as a Special Assignment member for the same assignment or appointment.
A Special Assignment Class membership expires after exactly one year after the members joins the class or the date specified on the member’s certificate of registration or the last day of the appointment or special assignment, whichever comes first.
Membership obligations
Use of protected titles
When practising, members in the Special Assignment Class must identify themselves by the following:
- “Registered Nurse (Special Assignment)” or “RN (Spec. Assign.)” in the case of members registered as RNs
- “Registered Practical Nurse (Special Assignment)” or “RPN (Spec. Assign.)” in the case of members registered as RPNs.
Terms, conditions and limitations
Every Special Assignment Class member must:
- practise only within the scope of the appointment or special assignment and only within the facility named in the certificate
- be monitored and directed by a nurse in the General or Extended Class
- not perform a controlled or authorized act unless the act is ordered by a physician, dentist, midwife, chiropodist, or nurse practitioner
- not supervise, monitor or direct the performance of a controlled or authorized act or the practice of another nurse
- not delegate to another nurse or anyone else the authority to perform a controlled or authorized act.
Professional liability protection
All Special Assignment Class members must hold professional liability protection (PLP) as set out in the College by-laws. They must produce evidence of PLP whenever the College asks for it.
Reporting requirements
Every Special Assignment Class member must tell the Executive Director about any of the following:
- a finding of guilt in any jurisdiction relating to any offence
- a charge in any jurisdiction relating to any offence
- a finding of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity or any similar finding, in relation to the practice of nursing or another profession in any jurisdiction
- a current investigation, inquiry or proceeding for professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity, or any similar investigation or proceeding, in relation to the practice of nursing or another profession in any jurisdiction.
Also, the member must provide any information that is requested by the Executive Director under the authority of the Nursing Act, 1991, the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, regulations under those acts or College by-laws.
Citizenship/Permanent residency/Authorization to practise nursing
A Special Assignment Class member must be one of the following:
- a Canadian citizen
- a permanent resident of Canada
- someone authorized under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to practise nursing in Ontario.
If a member ceases to be any of these, then that member must immediately stop practising and inform the Executive Director in writing.
View the Terms, Conditions and Limitations for the Special Assignment Class
show proficiency in English or French
