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Registration > Extended Class   

Registration in the Extended Class

  1. Introduction
  2. Requirements for Registration
  3. Frequently Asked Questions

Section 2: Requirements for Registration

The following are non-exemptible2 registration requirements for a certificate of registration in the Extended Class:

  1. registration, or eligibility for registration, as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the General Class in Ontario. Alternatively, an applicant must have a certificate of registration in another jurisdiction that is equivalent to an extended certificate of registration as an RN; [details]
  2. graduation from an approved program, or equivalent program for a specialty in the Extended Class; [details]
  3. successful completion of a registration examination for a specialty in the Extended Class; [details] and
  4. practice in nursing for a least two of the past five years, with at least one of the years in a nursing role that required the use of advanced knowledge and decision-making skills in assessment, diagnosis and health care management. [details]

The following are exemptible registration requirements for a certificate of registration in the Extended Class:3

  1. demonstration of the ability to speak and write English or French with reasonable fluency; [details]
  2. proof of Canadian Citizenship, permanent resident status in Canada, or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), to engage in the practice of nursing; [details]
  3. if the applicant completed a program outside Ontario, the applicant must show proof of registration or eligibility for registration as the equivalent of a Registered Nurse in the Extended Class in the jurisdiction where the applicant completed the program; and [details] and
  4. must not have been refused registration in the nursing profession in another jurisdiction; [details]
  5. In addition, an applicant for any class of registration must:
    • not have been convicted of a criminal offence or an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act or the Food and Drugs Act;
    • have previous or current proceedings with respect to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity in nursing, or in another health profession in Ontario, or in another jurisdiction;
    • not be affected by a physical or mental condition/illness that may affect her/his ability to practise nursing. [details]

An explanation of each requirement is provided below.

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1. Registration or eligibility for registration as an RN in Ontario or certification in another jurisdiction equivalent to an RN(EC).

You must either be registered with CNO in the General Class as an RN, or demonstrate that you meet the following General Class requirements:

  1. have successfully completed an approved RN program or equivalent; and
  2. passed the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination or equivalent. Alternatively, an applicant must have held a certificate of registration in another jurisdiction that is equivalent to an extended certificate of registration as a RN.

 

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2. Graduation from an approved program or equivalent for a specialty in the Extended Class.

Applicants who have not graduated from an approved program or applicants who graduated from an approved program prior to the date of approval will be assessed by the Registration Committee.

Approved programs for the Nurse Practitioner - Primary Health Care specialty certificate:

  • Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner programs under the Council of Ontario University Programs in Nursing – approved from inception
  • Athabasca University: Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • Aurora College: Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology: Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • University of British Columbia: Family Nurse Practitioner Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • University of Manitoba: Nurse Practitioner Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • University of New Brunswick: Nurse Practitioner Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • University of Northern British Columbia: Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner Program
  • University of Victoria: Master of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner Stream – approved from September 26, 2007

Approved programs for the Nurse Practitioner - Adult specialty certificate:

  • University of Toronto-Masters of Nursing Acute Care Practitioner, Adult Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • University of Toronto-Post Masters of Nurse Practitioner, Adult Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • British Columbia Institute of Technology: Nurse Practitioner, Adult Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • Dalhousie University: Master of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner, Adult Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • Memorial University: Master of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner, Adult Acute Care Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • Memorial University: Post Master’s Nurse Practitioner Diploma, Adult Acute Care Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • University of Calgary: Master of Nursing: Nurse Practitioner, Adult Acute Care Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • University of Calgary: Post Master’s Nurse Practitioner Diploma, Nurse Practitioner, Adult Acute Care Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • Université de Laval: Nurse Practitioner Cardiology Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • Université de Laval: Nurse Practitioner Nephrology Program – approved from September 26, 2007

Approved programs for the Nurse Practitioner – Paediatrics specialty certificate:

  • University of Toronto- Masters of Nursing Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Child Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • University of Toronto-Post Masters of Nurse Practitioner, Child Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • McMaster University Diploma Program, Advanced Neonatal Nursing – approved from September 26, 2007
  • Dalhousie University: Master of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • University of Alberta: Individual/family Health Nursing, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Child Program – approved from September 26, 2007
  • University of Alberta: Individual/family Health Nursing, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Program – approved from September 26, 2007

 

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3. To register, an applicant must successful complete an examination listed below, specific to the applicant’s specialty.

 

Approved examinations for the Nurse Practitioner - Primary Health Care specialty certificate:

  • the Canadian Nurses Association: Canadian Nurse Practitioner Examination for the Nurse Practitioner - Primary Health Care specialty certificate (writes from 2005 and onward)
  • the Extended Class Registration Examination administered by the College (writes since inception)

Approved examination for the Nurse Practitioner - Adult specialty certificate:

  • the American Nurses Credentialing Centre: Adult Nurse Practitioner Examination for the Nurse Practitioner - Adult specialty certificate (writes from 2002 and onward)

Approved examinations for the Nurse Practitioner – Paediatrics specialty certificate:

  • the American Nurses Credentialing Centre: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Examination for the Nurse Practitioner - Paediatrics specialty certificate (writes from 2002 and onward)
  • the Paediatric Nursing Certification Board : Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Certification Examination for the Nurse Practitioner - Paediatrics specialty certificate (writes from 2000 and onward)
  • the National Credentialing Center: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination for the Nurse Practitioner - Paediatrics specialty certificate (writes from 2005 and onward)

 

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4. Evidence of recent practice.

You must provide evidence that you have practised safely in nursing for two of the last five years, with at least one of these years in a nursing role that required the use of advanced knowledge and decision-making skills in assessment, diagnosis and health care management.

 

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5. Demonstrated ability to speak and write English or French with reasonable fluency.

If you are currently registered with CNO, or completed your nursing or NP education in Canada or in another English- or French-speaking jurisdiction, you meet this requirement. If you did not complete your education in an English- or French-speaking jurisdiction you will be required to demonstrate fluency in English or French by successfully completing an acceptable standardized fluency test. Please call our Customer Service department for information about the tests and scores that we accept.

 

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6. Proof of Canadian Citizenship, permanent resident status in Canada, or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to engage in the practice of nursing.

To meet this requirement you must provide one of the following:

  • a photocopy of your Canadian birth certificate,
  • permanent resident card, or
  • a photocopy of your current Canadian Citizenship, permanent residence card or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to engage in the practice of nursing.

 

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7. Proof of registration or eligibility for registration as the equivalent of a Registered Nurse in the Extended Class.

This requirement applies only if you have been registered, licensed or certified as the equivalent of a Registered Nurse in the Extended Class in another province, territory, state or country. If you completed a program in another jurisdiction (province, territory, state or country) you must show that you were originally registered, or eligible to be registered, licensed or certified in that jurisdiction.

 

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8. Applicants must not have been refused registration in the nursing profession in another jurisdiction.

If you have been refused registration in another jurisdiction you must declare this and explain why you were refused. As well, we must receive formal documentation from the jurisdiction where you were refused explaining why you were refused. You may request an exemption from this requirement from the Registration Committee. The Committee will consider the information submitted and determine if an exemption will be granted.

 

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9. Declaration of Registration Requirements

You must complete a Declaration of Registration Requirements form that provides information about:

  • any criminal offence, or offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Food and Drugs Act for which you were found guilty;
  • previous or current proceedings with respect to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity in Ontario in nursing or another health profession, or in another jurisdiction in nursing or another health profession;
  • whether you have been denied registration or your registration has been encumbered in any way (revoked, suspended, surrendered, restricted, subject to terms and conditions) by a registration/licensing authority in Ontario or in any province, territory, state, or country; and
  • any physical or mental condition/illness that may affect your ability to practise nursing.

Failure to report relevant information on the Declaration is considered falsification of the application and is grounds for denial or cancellation of registration. You are also required to immediately report to CNO any changes to your original declaration (e.g., convictions, disciplinary action, physical or mental condition/illness, etc.), which may occur between the time you applied for registration and the date your Extended Class registration is issued. You may request an exemption from this requirement by the Registration Committee. The Registration Committee will consider your submission and determine if an exemption can be granted.

 

Next section: Frequently Asked Questions

Notes

  1. Applicants must meet all of these requirements to register in the Extended Class. A non-exemptible registration requirement cannot be waived.
  2. CNO's Registration Committee can waive these requirements. Applicants may ask the Registration Committee to consider exempting them from meeting any of these registration requirements.

 

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