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Authorization to Work
The information on this page is about what you need to do to meet your authorization to work requirement, which includes proof of Citizenship. Permanent Residency or Authorization to Practice nursing.
You must provide proof of your citizenship, residency status, or authorization to practise nursing in Ontario before you can register as a nurse in Ontario.
You do this by including a copy (not originals) of one of the following with your application:
- Canadian birth certificate issued by a provincial or territorial government, includes either the long or short form/card
- Statement of Live Birth, including the emblem at the top, the seal and the registrar's signature at the bottom
- Pages 2 and 3 of your valid* Canadian passport, which includes the name of the document, your picture, full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, and issuance and expiry dates
- Front and back of your valid* certificate of citizenship
- Front of your valid* permanent resident card showing your picture, which includes the name of the document, your full name, identification number, date of birth, expiry date and picture. Note: if your full name does not appear on the front of the card, you must also provide a copy of the back side of the card or a copy of another Canadian immigration document that shows your full name
- valid* landed immigrant papers or confirmation of permanent residence
- a valid* work/study permit that authorizes you to practice nursing in Ontario. This includes a work permit or a study permit that allows you to work without restrictions anywhere in Canada. If your permit does not allow you to work in health services or limits you to a specific type of employment such as live in caregiver or to working in a specific place outside Ontario (i.e. Alberta), this is not a document that would permit you to practice nursing in Ontario.
- both sides of your certificate of Indian status or Metis citizenship document
*A document is valid if it has not yet expired at the time it was sent to CNO.
NOTE: If the name on the document you submit to CNO is different from the name on your CNO application, please submit a copy of a legal document (such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree) that validates your name change.
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Are you a Canadian citizen? |
 YES |
Include proof of citizenship with your application. |
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Requirement Met
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NO
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Are you a permanent resident? |
YES |
Include proof of permanent residency with your application. |
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Requirement Met
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NO
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Do you have other documents, such as a work or study permit, that authorize you to practise nursing in Canada?
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YES |
Include proof of authorization with your application. |
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Requirement Met
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NO
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The Registration Committee will review your application. |
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What happens if I don't have proof of citizenship, permanent residency or authorization to practice nursing in Ontario and I have met all requirements for registration?
If you can't provide a copy of any of these documents, then choose from one of two options:
- Do nothing – CNO will leave your application open until you provide the required proof of immigration authorization to practise nursing in Ontario. If there is no progress for two years, we will close your application, and you will have to submit a new application, and pay fees, to re-apply.
- Register with terms, conditions and limitations (conditions) - If you cannot provide the required proof of immigration authorization to practice in Ontario, you can agree to register with a condition on your certificate of registration that you will not be permitted to practice nursing in Ontario until you provide proof of immigration authorization. Registering with this condition means you are registered as a nurse and will be issued your certificate of registration, but you will not be able to work or volunteer as a nurse in Ontario. However, you will have time needed to obtain this document without needing to re-apply. If you register with this condition, the information will be posted on CNO’s public register – Find A Nurse.
What happens if I choose to be registered with terms, conditions and limitations?
CNO will send you the Authorization to Practice - Consent and Waiver form, which you must complete, sign and submit to CNO. You will agree to:
a. be issued a certificate of registration in the General Class as an RN/RPN/NP subject to conditions outlined in the form; and
b. waive your right of review and/or appeal by CNO’s Registration Committee or the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board.
Once CNO receives the signed Consent and Waiver form, you will become eligible for registration if you continue to meet all other requirements for registration. You will be notified about how to proceed with your registration and pay your fees.
Once registered, information about your registration status will be posted on Find A Nurse, including the condition that you are not entitled to practise nursing in Ontario until you have provided proof of immigration authorization to practise nursing in Ontario.
How do I have the term, condition, and limitation removed?
Once you obtain and submit copies of your proof of authorization to practise nursing in Ontario to CNO, the conditions will be removed from your certificate of registration. Find A Nurse will be updated to show that you are entitled to practise nursing. This means that you can begin to work or volunteer as a nurse in Ontario.
