There are six classes of registration within the College: General Class, Temporary Class, Special Assignment Class, Extended Class, Retired Class and Transitional Class.

General Class

This is by far the most common class of registration, which is held over the course of a member’s professional career. An annual fee is required to maintain a current certificate of registration.

Temporary Class

Individuals who have met all of the registration requirements except successful completion of the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE) or the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) may be able to practise as a registered member, to a maximum of six months.

If you are eligible to write the exam (or you have written the exam and are now waiting for your exam results), have evidence of recent practice one year from the date of your application and have a written offer of employment, then you may apply for registration in the Temporary Class.

Fact Sheet: Temporary Class

Extended Class (Nurse Practitioners)

Only RNs who graduated from an approved NP program (or its equivalent) and passed the Extended Class (EC) examination can join this class. RN(EC)s, or Nurse Practitioners, have an expanded scope of practice in the areas of assessment, diagnosis, prescription of tests and treatments, and health promotion.

Fact Sheet: Nurse Practitioners

Special Assignment Class

This is a short-term, non-renewable registration for individuals, usually from outside Canada, who have an appointment or assignment as an RN or RPN with an approved facility and who do not intend to stay in Ontario for more than one year. Individuals in this class can only practice within the scope of their appointment, and under defined terms, limits and conditions. Special Assignment Class may also be granted temporarily to nurses registered outside Ontario during emergency situations. 

Fact Sheet: Special Assignment

Retired Class

The Retired Class is an option for Ontario nurses aged 65 or older who do not intend to practise nursing. This class allows members to use the title “Registered Nurse (Retired)” or “Registered Practical Nurse (Retired)” even though they are no longer in active practice. Nurses in this class cannot practise as a nurse in an employed or volunteer capacity

Transitional Class

The Transitional Class is a special designation for those nurses registered in another Canadian province or territory who may require skills upgrading to join the General Class. The Transitional Class is not available to Internationally Educated Nurses.