This section outlines the registration requirements to become a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) in Ontario, if you are already registered to practice in another Canadian province or territory.
To register in Ontario in the General Class, you must have a certificate of registration equivalent to the class you are applying for.
- This means if you want to apply as an RN in Ontario, you must be registered and entitled to practice as an RN in your current province or territory in Canada
- Similarly, if you are registered as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) elsewhere in Canada, you can apply for RPN registration in Ontario.
Exceptions: RNs and LPNs who practice under Temporary, Provisional, Graduate or other similar registrations are considered to have registration not equivalent to the RN or RPN registration required to practice in Ontario. Please refer to this information about practicing as an RN or RPN in Ontario for details.
Ontario legislation supports full labour mobility for nurses registered in Canada who want to practice in Ontario. If you are currently registered in another Canadian jurisdiction and have not registered with CNO before you can apply to register in Ontario using automatic recognition. This process allows you to register in two business days by completing an application, signing an Attestation form confirming good standing and good character, and paying your application fee and the registration fee.
"Good standing" means:
- you are not the subject of any discipline or fitness-to-practice orders, ongoing investigations, interim orders or agreements resulting from complaints or proceedings
- you are complying with the continuing competency and quality assurance requirements where you are currently registered to practice in Canada
When you register with CNO, you will have terms, conditions and limitations (TCLs) placed on your certificate of registration and posted on CNO’s public register, Find a Nurse. They require you to submit proof that you have requested the following:
- a verification of registration from each regulatory body in or outside Canada where you hold a certificate of registration. (This documentation confirms your good standing and your entitlement to practice in that jurisdiction.)
- a police criminal record check.
You have seven (7) days after being registered to send us, by email, proof of having requested this documentation.
Once we receive either proof that you requested the documents or the actual documents, the verification of registration and the police check, the TCLs will be removed from your registration information on Find a Nurse. If you don’t provide the required documentation, CNO may suspend your certificate of registration.
To learn more about automatic recognition, read the Canada (registered outside Ontario) registration guide.
If you are a nurse who will remain registered to practice in one or more Canadian jurisdiction(s) while also registering with CNO in the same category, you may be considered an interjurisdictional applicant. Learn more about Interjurisdictional Nurse Licensure (INL). As an interjurisdictional applicant you will receive a 25% rebate on your annual fee. Learn more about fees.
Providing false or misleading information and/or documents in support of your application for registration may result in a refusal of your application for registration or the cancellation of any certificate that may have been issued.