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 Page modified June 15, 2009 

New registration requirements come into effect at the College of Nurses of Ontario

Important changes regarding registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) came into effect on January 1, 2005. These changes primarily affect applicants who apply for registration with CNO on, or after, January 1, 2005.

Some of these changes reflect amendments to O. Reg. 275/94 under the Nursing Act 1991 enacted recently by the Ontario government. Others reflect changes in registration policy made by CNO. Some of these changes harmonize the College’s requirements and policies with those of other Canadian jurisdictions, and all are consistent with the College’s mandate to enhance public safety.

The nine changes pertain to the following components of entry-to-practice and registration requirements:

  1. Registered Nurse (RN) education requirement for entry to practice
    The new entry-to-practice requirement for registration as an RN in Ontario is now a four-year baccalaureate degree in nursing or equivalent.
  2. Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) education requirement for entry to practice
    The new entry-to-practice requirement for registration as an RPN in Ontario is now a diploma in practical nursing from an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology or equivalent.
  3. Examinations
    The registration regulation now allows exam eligible applicants to have three opportunities, with no time limit, to write the national examination, which is a requirement of registration. Previously, applicants were allowed six opportunities within six years to attempt the national examination.
  4. Transitional Provision regarding Examinations
    The transitional provision affects individuals who applied for registration with CNO before December 31, 2004, and have met all of the registration requirements except completion of the national examination. They may be provided with an opportunity to write the national examination and, if successful, to register with the College without having to meet the new education requirement. Applicants who qualify for this transitional provision may do so until November 1, 2005 or until their evidence of safe practice expires, whichever first occurs. Applicants in this situation should contact the Registration Administrator handling their file at the College for further details.
  5. Evidence of Safe Practice
    Applicants applying for registration will meet the evidence of safe practice requirement upon provision of evidence that, within the past five years, they have graduated from an approved nursing program or worked 1,125 hours. Alternatively, they may meet the requirement by having completed additional nursing education (i.e., refresher-type education) that is acceptable to the Registration Committee.
  6. Temporary Registration
    Applicants who qualify for a Temporary Class certificate of registration will now be allowed to hold this certificate for a maximum of six months. If an applicant fails the national examination while holding Temporary Class registration, the certificate of registration will be revoked.
  7. Transitional Class
    CNO has created a Transitional Class of registration. This will allow members of other Canadian nursing regulatory bodies who have graduated after January 1, 2005, and who do not meet the new education requirement, to be registered and work in Ontario for a limited period of time while pursuing further nursing studies to meet the new education requirement for entry to practice.
  8. Labour Mobility
    Nurses who have been members of other Canadian nursing regulatory bodies prior to December 31, 2004 will be “grandparented”, and may be registered in Ontario after January 1, 2005 without having to meet the new education requirement for entry to practice.
  9. Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) Criminal Record Synopsis
    To provide evidence that an applicant has met the requirement of registration related to good character and suitability to practice, each applicant is now required to provide a CPIC check as part of the registration process.

Where highlighted, the preceding list provides active links to the College’s website (www.cno.org). To access Fact Sheets, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and other documents explaining these changes, simply click on the above text to be forwarded to the appropriate section of CNO’s Web site.

For further information about these changes not found on CNO’s Web site, contact the College's Customer Service Centre at 416 928-0900; toll-free in Ontario 1 800 387-5526.

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