How the Application Process Works
If you are an internationally educated nurse (IEN) and you wish to work as a nurse in Canada (except for Quebec and the Territories), you must complete an application with the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS).
You may apply if
You may apply for a license in the province of your choice to be either:
- A Registered Nurse (RN)
- A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Or, a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)
NNAS partners Canada’s nursing regulatory bodies and offers a simple and secure way to review and store the documents you are required to submit in order for you to work in Canada.
The role of NNAS in your application process
NNAS has three roles:
- To verify your credentials
- To compare your credentials to Canadian standards
- To provide secure, online storage for your education and registration credential
NNAS has a legal contract with CGFNS International, Inc. (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) in Pennsylvania; U.S.A. They have five roles:
- To review and store your documents
- To verify that your documents are authentic
- To ensure each nurse’s files have all required documents
- To determine if your documents meet Canadian standards
- To send completed files to the correct regulatory body/bodies so they can make the final decisions about your eligibility to work as a nurse in Canada.
English Language Requirements
As part of your NNAS application, you must prove that you can listen, speak, read, and write in English or French (depending on the province that you intend to work in).
If your first language is not English or French, you will need to complete language testing and have the results sent directly to NNAS from your approved language testing agency. You are required to meet minimum language test scores. The testing must be current, and the successful results must be no older than six months at the time you apply to NNAS.
If your first language is either English or French, you may not have to complete language testing, but you must meet the following criteria:
- The main language where you live and work is English or French and your nursing education
program of instruction was in English or French. Online and distance education programs
are not accepted. - You can show evidence that you have safely practiced nursing within the last two years
where services were provided and the main language used was English or French.
For more information on testing agencies, see Step 6: Submit your Language Testing Results as part of the The Application Process of this website.
What you should know about immigrating to Canada
As you prepare to embrace your welcome to Canada, it is important to know that some things are likely to be done differently than you are accustomed to.
Here are some important links that will help set you on the right path to integrating into Canadian life. Less confusion and realistic expectations when moving to Canada will increase your chances of achieving success.
- Government of Canada: Immigration and citizenship – Apply to travel, study, work or immigrate to Canada, apply for citizenship, a permanent resident card or refugee protection, check the status of your application or find a form
- Don’t forget anything! – Read this essential packing for Canada checklist.
RPNs provide care for clients with complex psychosocial, mental health and physical needs. They coordinate care for individuals, families, groups, communities and populations in a variety of health care settings, with a variety of health care professionals.
** defined in the Guidelines for Education Assessment of Internationally Educated Psychiatric Nurses.
NOTE: RPNs are regulated to practise only in four Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba – and in the Yukon Territory.
You will need to create an online account
The first step towards working as a nurse in Canada is to set up on online account with NNAS and complete your application.
You are only eligible to apply for an NNAS application if you:
- Graduated from a college or university nursing program outside of Canada
- Have never worked as a nurse in Canada before
- Want to work as a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or RegisteredPsychiatric Nurse (RPN) in Canada
You may use your online NNAS account to print your required forms, check the status of your application, view your emails, see your language test results, and update your contact information.
Note: If you have already worked as a nurse in Canada, you do not need to set up an online NNAS account. You may apply directly to the regulatory body of your choice.
BEFORE YOU APPLY MAKE SURE TO READ ALL PIECES OF INFORMATION REGARDING NNAS VIA THE LINK BELOW AND GET ALL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION
Read MoreAPPLY DIRECTLY VIA THE BUTTON BELOW:
CLICK TO APPLYDOWNLOAD APPLICATIONDownload HANDBOOK VIA THE BUTTON BELOW:
