Past Offences and Findings

When applying to CNO for a certificate of registration, you must truthfully state if you have ever been found guilty of an offence, refused registration, had a finding related to the practice of nursing or another profession against you, or are involved in certain proceedings.

You do this by completing the Declaration of Registration Requirements form included in your application, and by providing additional information to CNO for review if you answer “yes” to any question on the form.

Answering "yes" to a question does not mean that you will be immediately refused registration. It means that CNO will require additional information for review and assessment before it can proceed with your application.

Criminal Record Check

As part of the registration process, CNO requires all applicants to provide a recent police criminal record check. This requirement provides CNO with information to determine if further information is required to assess suitability for registration. For more information, including how and when to submit the criminal record check, read FAQs: Criminal Record Checks

The following provides information about the questions on the Declaration of Registration Requirements form. If you answer “yes” to any of these findings, CNO will contact you directly to request additional information and next steps.

A finding of guilt

You must tell CNO if you have ever been found guilty of any of the following in any jurisdiction:

a criminal offence (e.g., shoplifting, assault, impaired driving, theft, fraud)
an offence relating to the use, possession or sale of drugs
an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada)
any other offence in relation to the practise of nursing or another profession

Even if a pardon was granted for the offence, you will still have to declare it on your application and provide additional information.

A finding of professional misconduct, incompetence, incapacity, malpractice or negligence

You must tell CNO if you are, or have been, the subject of any of the following findings in any jurisdiction:

Professional misconduct
Incompetence
Incapacity
Professional negligence
Malpractice
Any similar finding in relation to the practise of nursing or another profession

Involvement in a current proceeding for professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity

You must tell CNO if you are currently the subject of one of the following, in any jurisdiction:

an investigation, inquiry or proceeding for professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity
a similar investigation or proceeding in relation to the practise of nursing or another profession

Involvement in a current proceeding for any offence

You must tell CNO if you are the subject of a current proceeding in respect of any offence (e.g., charges have been laid against you) in any jurisdiction.

A refusal of registration to practise nursing or any other profession

You must tell CNO if you have ever been refused registration as a nurse (or in another profession) in any jurisdiction.

CNO keeps all information confidential except as required or allowed by law. Where required, supporting documents must be sent to CNO by the proper authorities. Supporting documents that are not sent directly to CNO from the proper authorities will not be accepted.

You are responsible for ensuring that all supporting documents from third-party sources (e.g., police or individuals providing references) are sent directly to CNO from the third party. Third-party information forwarded by the applicant directly to CNO will not be accepted.