Registering with CNO is a legal requirement for anyone who wishes to practice nursing in Ontario. Only nurses registered with CNO can practice nursing in Ontario and use the titles “nurse,” “Registered Nurse (RN),” “Registered Practical Nurse (RPN),” or “Nurse Practitioner (NP).”

It is illegal for anyone to practice nursing or use any of these titles in Ontario without a valid certificate of registration issued by CNO.

Your status as an RN or RPN informs the public that all individuals who identify themselves as nurses have the knowledge, skill and judgment required to provide safe and ethical nursing care.

The majority of CNO applicants enter the General Class, the most common class of registration for nurses in Ontario.

Applicants who wish to begin nursing before completing their registration requirements for the general class also have the option of applying to the Temporary Class, provided they meet the Temporary Class registration requirements.

RN Prescribing Practice

RNs registered with CNO in the General Classcan add  prescribing authority to their practice by completing RN prescribing education approved by CNO. RNs with this authority can prescribe certain medications and communicate diagnoses for the purpose of prescribing those medications. Visit RN Prescribing Practice for more information, including a list of continuing education  approved by CNO for RN prescribing in Ontario. 

If you completed an approved Ontario BScN that includes RN prescribing education, your nursing school will inform us. You will receive a message from us telling you when you are authorized to prescribe medication and communicate diagnoses. These legal authorities come into effect after becoming registered as an RN in the General Class. RNs in the Temporary Class are not authorized to communicate diagnoses or prescribe medication.