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Examinations
NCLEX-RN exams
On April 1, 2023, the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) exam was launched. The NGN tests the competency of nursing applicants and is a registration requirement.
The exam measures critical thinking and the outcome of decision making using the clinical judgment measurement model.
Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (REx-PN)
Beginning in 2022, the Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (REx-PN™) replaced the CPNRE as the regulatory exam for RPN applicants to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).
If you meet the exam eligibility requirements, CNO will contact you with instructions about scheduling your exam with the exam provider, Pearson VUE.
Read Register ed Practical Nurse Registration Examinations for more information.
NP exams
For more information, visit the Yardstick website.
The NP-Adult exam test centres are open. Please visit the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner Certification Board and PSI websites for the latest news about the availability of test centres.
For more information about the NP-Paediatrics exam, visit the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and Prometric websites.
CNPE
Read NP-Primary Health Care (Ontario) for exam dates.
Jurisprudence exam
This exam is written online and can be done remotely.
Starting Monday, July 17th, 2023, those applying for registration in the General or Extended class will have to pass a new jurisprudence exam.
Registration Examinations
Registration examinations assess whether applicants have the nursing knowledge, skills and judgment required to practice safely at the beginning of their careers in Ontario.
The exam an applicant writes depends on the class of nursing they are applying to:
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Registered Nurse (RN) registration examination
If you are applying to become a Registered Nurse in the General Class, you will write the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) exam.
- Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) registration examinations
If you are applying to become a Registered Practical Nurse in the General Class, you will write the Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (REx-PN™). - Nurse Practitioner NP examinations
If you are applying to the Extended Class, you must write the examination appropriate for the specialty certificate (Adult, Paediatric, Primary Health Care) for which you have applied.
