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Providing virtual care
I am a nurse registered in British Columbia. I work for a telehealth company that provides virtual care to clients across Canada. Do I need to be registered with CNO to provide virtual care to clients living in Ontario?
Yes, nurses must be registered with CNO to provide care to clients in Ontario. CNO considers care to take place where the client is physically located, not where the nurse is. This is a legislative requirement outlined in the Nursing Act, 1991. This requirement applies to any nursing services provided, whether it is direct client care or virtual care. You can read more about this accountability in the Telepractice fact sheet.
Additional resources:
I am a nurse registered in Ontario and I will be periodically providing virtual care services to clients in Nova Scotia. Am I permitted to do this?
CNO would not prevent nurses registered in Ontario from providing care to clients in other jurisdictions if the nurse complies with relevant laws and meets the requirements of the regulatory body in the jurisdiction where the client is physically located.
Registration requirements of nursing regulators in other jurisdictions vary as each jurisdiction is governed by different legislation. Nurses providing virtual care to clients in other jurisdictions should contact the nursing regulator where the client is located regarding their specific registration requirements. For more information, see the Telepractice fact sheet.
Additional resources:
I am a nurse registered in Alberta. I want to attend a week-long cosmetic injector course in Toronto where I will be practicing injections on volunteers. Do I need to be registered with CNO to attend this course?
No, you will not need to be registered with CNO to attend a continuing education course in Ontario provided that you do not:
- Hold yourself out as a person who is qualified to practise nursing in Ontario
- Use the title “nurse” or any variation or abbreviation, as this title is protected in Ontario under the Nursing Act, 1991
- Perform a controlled act unless it is delegated to you by a regulated health care professional registered in Ontario (i.e., delegator)
If a controlled act is delegated to you, then the delegator must meet the 10 requirements of delegation as outlined in CNO’s Scope of Practice standard including being satisfied that you have the knowledge, skill and judgment to perform the controlled act safely and ethically.
Additional resources
I am a nurse educator registered in Ontario. I am currently teaching out-of-province nurses visiting Ontario to complete a continuing education course. What are my accountabilities when delegating controlled acts?
When you delegate a controlled act, you are responsible for the decision to delegate and for ensuring that both you and the delegatee are competent to perform the controlled act.
Please refer to CNO’s Scope of Practice standard as it outlines delegation restrictions for nurses, as well as the 10 requirements for delegation that must be met as per the Nursing Act, 1991, to ensure the activity is performed safely.
Additional resources
I am a nurse from Nova Scotia coming to Ontario to upgrade my nursing education. Do I need to be registered with CNO?
No, you do not need to register with CNO if you will be coming to Ontario as a nursing student to complete an RPN, RN, or NP entry-level program.
The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) provides several exemptions that allow persons who are not authorized as members of a regulated health profession to perform controlled acts. One of these exemptions is while studying to become a member of the profession.
As a result of this exemption, out-of-province nurses who are coming to Ontario to complete entry-level nursing programs can complete clinical rotations in Ontario facilities where the organization is agreeable and able to support the student. The student would require supervision and would not be authorized to practice independently as a nurse as they are not registered to practice in Ontario. Nurses must be registered with CNO to provide care to clients in Ontario.
