Significant changes to the registration requirements for nursing applicants in Ontario are now in effect.
These changes are a major part of CNO’s efforts to modernize the process for assessing and registering nursing applicants in Ontario. They enhance CNO’s registration process for internationally educated applicants and support a smoother transition to nursing practice in Ontario.
“These regulatory changes are a testament to CNO’s commitment to maintaining high standards of patient safety while continuing to address health human resource challenges,” said Silvie Crawford, RN, CNO’s Registrar/Executive Director and CEO. “By implementing fair and efficient registration processes, we’re enabling more qualified nurses who choose to practice in Ontario a more efficient process of entering the health care system, enriching it with diverse experiences and skills.”
CNO began preparing applicants for these changes following the Government of Ontario's approval on November 1, 2024. We have been communicating with applicants through emails, webinars and support through our customer service team, helping them learn how the changes may affect their applications both before and after the April 1, 2025 implementation date.
Here is what’s new:
Nursing Education Registration Requirement Update
CNO now accepts nursing education recognized or approved in any jurisdiction, provided the education was designed to prepare the applicant for the category they are applying to, and it meets the credentials required – RN applicants need a nursing baccalaureate and RPN applicants need a nursing diploma. Once an applicant meets this updated education requirement, they will become eligible to write the NCLEX-RN or REx-PN examination.
New Transition to Practice Requirement
The introduction of a Transition to Practice requirement is designed to ensure that RN and RPN applicants are familiar with the competencies specific to the context of practice in Canada. Most applicants will meet this requirement by completing their nursing education within Canada or showing evidence of current registration in a Canadian jurisdiction. Others will meet the requirement by completing a Transition to Practice course approved by CNO.
More Credential Assessment Providers
Applicants can have their credentials validated by one of several approved credential assessment providers. Expanding the number of service providers to assess education documents ensures a streamlined and accessible process, allowing applicants to leverage the services and documents used for immigration to Canada.
Fees By-Law changes
To support the implementation of the nursing education requirement updates and the addition of more credential assessment providers, CNO Council recently approved changes to the Fees By-Law No. 2 that will ensure all applicants, whether educated in Ontario, elsewhere in Canada or abroad, would pay the same application fee.
Learn more about CNO’s registration requirements and how to become a nurse in Ontario.