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
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 Exam Review Panel
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is seeking volunteers to participate in an in-person REx-PN Exam Review Panel.
What to Expect
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Meeting dates: July 14–17, 2026
Travel:
- Arrive July 13
- Concludes by noon on July 17
All travel, hotel, and meals are covered by NCSBN
Eligibility Criteria
You must meet all the following:
- Current CNO registration in good standing
- RN or RPN with at least 2 years of experience
- Currently working directly with RPNs who entered practice within the past 12 months
How to Apply
Email: education@cnomail.org
Apply as soon as possible.
Volunteer for NCLEX Expert Panels
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is seeking volunteers for upcoming in-person NCLEX-RN Expert Panels.
Panel Dates
- NCLEX-RN Practice Analysis Expert Panel: October 13–14, 2026
- NCLEX-RN Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Expert Panel: November 17–18, 2026
NCSBN convenes these panels every three years to ensure the NCLEX-RN exam reflects current nursing practice.
All travel, hotel, and meals are covered by NCSBN
Eligibility Criteria
You must meet all the following:
- Registered Nurse (RN) with an active CNO registration in good standing
- Current clinical practice experience
- Supervises, precepts, or mentors newly licensed RNs (within their first 12 months)
- No participation in licensure exam development activities including development of nursing licensure exam preparation guides and courses in the past 2 years
(excluding volunteer activities with NCSBN)
How to Apply
Email: education@cnomail.org
Include:
- Contact information
- Registration number(s)
Deadline: July 3, 2026
Questions?
Contact: education@cnomail.org