Access to the profession / Expectations of RNs and RPNs / Classes of registration / Who is involved with registration?
Classes of Registration
There are six classes of registration: General Class, Temporary Class, Special Assignment Class, Extended Class, Retired Class and Transitional Class (Note: The Transitional Class is not available to Internationally Educated Nurses). Following are brief descriptions of each class.
General Class
This is the most common class of registration held for a member's lifetime. 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. If you're eligible to write the exam, or are waiting for the exam results, have evidence of recent practice one year from the date of your application and have a written offer of employment, you may apply for temporary registration.
Temporary registration is granted for a six-month period and restricts practice to a specific employment setting. If you fail the exam while holding Temporary Class registration, the certificate of registration will be revoked. You are not eligible for Temporary registration if you have previously failed the registration examination. Once you pass the exam and have met all other requirements for registration, you are eligible for General Class registration.
Retired Class
The Retired Class is an option for Ontario nurses aged 65 or older who are not intending 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.
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 plan 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.
Extended Class
Only RNs who have obtained post-baccalaureate education and passed the Extended Class (EC) examination can join this class. RN(EC)s have an expanded scope of practice in the areas of assessment, diagnosis, prescription of tests and treatments, and health promotion.