The following practical nursing programs have been reviewed and approved by CNO Council. All nursing programs are reviewed on an annual basis. Each new program’s curriculum is reviewed before students can enroll. Students who graduate from an approved practical nursing program will meet CNO’s education requirement to become registered as a Registered Practical Nurse.

What does a program’s approval status mean?

Programs can receive one of the following approval ratings:

Preliminary approval: This status is given to a new nursing program. Graduates from programs with this status are eligible to register with CNO. The program will be assessed for full approval once the first cohort graduates from the program.

Approved: The nursing program meets all requirements. Graduates from programs with this status are eligible to register with CNO.

Approved with conditions: The nursing program does not meet all the requirements — however, graduates can still register with CNO.

Please contact the schools directly if you have any questions about their nursing programs.

Approved Practical Nursing programs

Institution and practical nursing programs	Approval status
Algonquin College Practical Nurse Diploma Internationally Educated Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved Preliminary Approval
Cambrian College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Canadore College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Centennial College Practical Nurse Diploma Internationally Educated Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved Approved
Collège Boréal Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Collège La Cité Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Conestoga College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Confederation College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Durham College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Fanshawe College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Fleming College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
George Brown College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Georgian College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Humber Polytechnic Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Lambton College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Loyalist College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Mohawk College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Niagara College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Northern College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Sault College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Seneca Polytechnic Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
Sheridan College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
St. Clair College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved
St. Lawrence College Practical Nurse Diploma	Approved