Patient safety is a collective responsibility that involves partnership and support from nurses, educators, students, the public and other key groups. Volunteering is an important way to participate.

CNO is committed to a whole-system approach to nursing regulation. We work with you to make a greater collective impact on the patient care system.

As a registrant of CNO, you can actively participate in the regulatory processes that keep the public safe. By volunteering, you can help with the development of many high-profile and important projects, while showing leadership and building your relationships within the nursing profession. Volunteers must be current registrants in good standing with CNO.

You can also participate by volunteering for other nursing-related organizations, including those that create nursing registration examinations. Some of these opportunities are listed on this page.

Volunteer with CNO

Serve on CNO’s Council

You can learn about serving on CNO’s elected Council on our Council Elections page.

Serve on a CNO Committee

You can learn about serving on a CNO Committee on our Serving on a Committee page.

Volunteer with examination organizations

Develop exam questions for Nurse Practitioner registration exams 

The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) is looking for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to help with exam development opportunities.

The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) is looking for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to help with exam development opportunities.

The board is looking for Nurse Practitioners with expertise in:

  • Adult-Gerontology
  • Family/All Ages

You must have current clinical practice as an NP. You don’t need experience in an NP faculty role, but experience with, and knowledge of, NPs at the entry-to-practice level is essential.

If you want more information, please email education@cnomail.org.

To apply, please complete this form and submit it to education@cnomail.org.

Develop questions for the CNPE

Meazure Learning has volunteer positions for Nurse Practitioners from a range of practice environments who may be interested in developing questions for the Canadian Nurse Practitioner Examination (CNPE).

Nurse Practitioners currently in direct practice are encouraged to apply.

If you want to apply, or receive more information, please email education@cnomail.org.

Develop questions for the NCLEX-RN

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) develops the NCLEX-RN used to measure competencies needed to perform safely and effectively as an entry-level registered nurse. An important step in this process is the NCLEX Item Development program, a key component in creating and maintaining high quality examination items. The development of the NCLEX examination depends on qualified registered nurse volunteers from all jurisdictions that use the NCLEX for entry to practice.

By volunteering, you may be selected to participate as an item writer (you must be an RN educator with a master's degree) or item reviewer (you must be a practicing RN).

Volunteers must not have participated in exam development or related activities (for example, as an invigilator, proctor or participation in exam courses or guides) within the previous 24 months. Apply on the NCSBN website.

Develop questions for the REx-PN

National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is seeking Ontario nurses who are familiar with entry-level RPN practice to help develops test items for the REx-PN exam. NCSBN develops the REx-PN, which measures the competencies entry-level RPNs need to perform safely and effectively. NCSBN’s REx-PN Item Development Program is a key component of creating and maintaining high-quality exam items. The Item Development Program depends on the participation of qualified nurse volunteers from Ontario and BC, where the REx-PN is used for entry to practice.

By volunteering, you may be selected to participate as an item writer (you must be an RPN educator), an item reviewer (you must be a practicing nurse) or a French translator (you must be a French-speaking Ontario nurse).

Volunteers must not have participated in exam development or related activities (for example, as an invigilator, proctor or developing exam courses or guides) within the previous 24 months. Apply on the NCSBN website.

Volunteer for the REx-PN Translation Review Panel

NCSBN is seeking volunteers to review translated REx-PN exam questions for accuracy and clarity.

What to Expect

  • In-person participation in Chicago, Illinois, USA
  • Meeting dates: July 21–23, 2026
  • Travel:
    • Arrive July 20
    • Depart evening of July 23
  • All travel, hotel, and meals are covered by NCSBN

Eligibility Criteria

You must meet all of the following:

  • Be a nurse with at least 2 years of experience and current CNO registration in good standing
  • Understand current nursing scope and entry-level practice
    • Preference for those working with nurses new to practice (within the last 12 months)
  • Be fluent in English and French, including Canadian French in a clinical setting

How to Apply

  • Email education@cnomail.org
  • Include:
    • Your registration number(s)
    • Relevant experience
  • Deadline: May 25, 2026

What Happens Next

  • NCSBN will contact applicants directly
  • NCSBN will make final selections and notify successful volunteers

Questions?

Contact education@cnomail.org