Access to the profession / Expectations of RNs and RPNs / Classes of registration / Who is involved with registration?
Who is Involved with Registration?
Registration is a process that involves the applicant, the College and other official sources. The following lists the responsibilities of each group.
The Applicant
In this case, applicants are internationally educated nurses who want to practice in Ontario.
The applicant is responsible for:
- reading the contents of this guide and the application package;
- asking for clarification or assistance when needed;
- requesting a written or verbal status update or an interview with a Registration Administrator to inquire about application status;
- contacting schools, employers and registration boards to ensure they have sent documents to the College;
- acquiring the necessary nursing knowledge, skill and judgment to enter the profession; and
- learning about Ontario's health care system and nursing profession.
The College
The College of Nurses of Ontario includes the Registration and Examination Team, the Customer Service Team and the Registration Committee. The teams assess applications for registration. The Committee makes decisions about applicants who do not meet all of the registration requirements.
The College will:
- set (through Ontario government legislation) the registration requirements;
- provide information about the registration requirements and assessment process;
- assess applications and determine whether requirements have been met;
- inform applicants of the status for their application;
- evaluate documents, and when necessary, ask the applicant to request additional information from schools or employers;
- administer the national nursing examination;
- issue Certificates of Registration; and
- present applications that do not meet all the requirements to the Registration Committee. The Committee can direct applicants on how to meet requirements, direct the Executive Director to refuse applications for registration, or impose terms, limits and/or conditions on a Certificate of Registration.
Official Sources
Official sources are institutions that provide original or certified copies of the information used to evaluate your application. They include your schools, employers, nurse registration boards and language testing services. Occasionally, official sources may send incorrect or incomplete information. In some cases, no information exists. You and the College work together to obtain the documents and information required for your evaluation.