You must successfully complete either the RN/RPN jurisprudence examination or the NP jurisprudence examination.

These exams test your knowledge and understanding of the laws, regulations, CNO by-laws, and practice standards and guidelines that govern the nursing profession in Ontario.

The jurisprudence exam is an open-book online exam you can write at any time during your application process. You can take the exam as many times as you need to. It is not a timed examination, and you do not need to complete it in one sitting. You have 30 days from when you paid your examination fee to complete the exam or retake it if necessary.

Note: You are not permitted to screen capture, photograph or record any question of the jurisprudence exam.

We have included a few sample questions and study resources on this page to help you prepare. There is also a Jurisprudence Examination FAQ page with further information.

Exam accommodation is available to those who qualify. See Requesting Accommodation for details.

Steps to complete the jurisprudence examination

How to meet the jurisprudence exam requirement

Follow these steps to meet the jurisprudence exam requirement.

  1. Have you submitted your initial application and fees to CNO?

    You must be confirmed as an applicant before you can take the jurisprudence exam.

  2. Have you received an email containing instructions about how to access the online jurisprudence exam?

    Follow the instructions you received by email.

    Contact Customer Service if you have not received instructions for accessing your exam within 10 days of submitting your application and fees. Visit the Jurisprudence FAQs page for more information.

  3. Pay the fee and write the exam.

  4. Receive your results. Did you pass?

    If you did not pass, you can take the exam again, as many times as you need to.

Sample questions

The following questions are examples of the types of questions you can expect on the jurisprudence exam. Note that these specific questions will not be on the exam.

1. A father expresses concerns about his son’s upcoming surgery and has several questions about the procedure. The nurse listens to the father’s concerns, shares information about the procedure and validates his feelings. Which components of the nurse-client relationship is the nurse demonstrating? (Select all that apply)

  1. Maintaining boundaries
  2. Client-centred care
  3. Protecting the client from abuse
  4. Therapeutic communication

Answer: B and D

Rationales:

  1. This is not the correct component.
  2. The nurse is demonstrating client-centred care by empathizing with the father and providing information about the surgery.
  3. This is not the correct component
  4. The nurse is demonstrating therapeutic communication by listening to the father’s concerns, empathizing with him and providing information about the surgery.

Reference: Professional Boundaries and Nurse-Client Relationships

2. A nurse gives a double dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) to a client who only requires a single dose. What, if anything, must the nurse do?

  1. Ask a colleague to help assess the client
  2. Withhold the client’s next dose of Tylenol
  3. Report the error as soon as possible
  4. Nothing, because this is an over-the-counter medication

Answer: C.

Rationales:

  1. Nurses should be accountable for all errors made.
  2. All errors should be reported so that appropriate action can be taken.
  3. This is according to the standard.
  4. Nurses should be accountable for all errors made.

Reference: Medication Practice Standard

3. An RPN orders an RPN colleague to insert a urethral catheter into a newly admitted client. What should the RPN colleague do?

  1. Confirm the order with a physician before proceeding with the intervention
  2. Accept the order and proceed with the intervention
  3. Consult with an RN before proceeding with the intervention
  4. Decline to accept the order

Answer: D.

Rationales:

  1. The original order was made by an RPN and a controlled act cannot be ordered by an RPN.
  2. A controlled act cannot be ordered by an RPN.
  3. A controlled act cannot be ordered by an RPN.
  4. An RPN cannot order another nurse to perform a controlled act.

Reference: Scope of Practice Standard

4. A client writes to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) stating that a nurse assaulted him during care. What action may CNO take in this situation?

  1. Report the nurse to the employer
  2. Investigate the allegation
  3. Request that the nurse’s employment be terminated
  4. Refer the complaint to local law enforcement

Answer: B

Rationales:

  1. The employer may investigate but the legislation requires the allegation be investigated by CNO.
  2. CNO is required under the RHPA to investigate all complaints.
  3. This might be an outcome of the complaint but not at this point.
  4. CNO is not obligated to do this.

Reference: Addressing Complaints at the College of Nurses of Ontario: Process Guide

Study resources

The following is a list of resources recommended by CNO to help you prepare for your jurisprudence examination.

The jurisprudence examination consists of a learning module plus exam questions. The examination is considered “open book,” which means you are free to access resources while writing the examination, and there is no time limit to complete the examination. However, we strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with the information in the following documents before starting the examination.

Guide - Navigating the online jurisprudence Examination

“How-to Guide - Jurisprudence Examination” is available when you log in to the online examination

General Information

About CNO

Entry-to-Practice Competencies for Registered Nurses

Entry-to-Practice Competencies for Ontario Registered Practical Nurses

Entry-to-Practice Competencies for Nurse Practitioners

Practice Standards

Code of Conduct

Scope of Practice

Confidentiality and Privacy - Personal Health Information

Discontinuing or Declining to Provide Care

Documentation

Medication

Nurse Practitioner

Registered Nurse (RN) Prescribing

Professional Boundaries and Nurse-Client Relationships

Practice Guidelines

Conflict Prevention and Management

Consent

Directives

Independent Practice

Virtual Care

Working With Unregulated Care Providers

Guides to CNO Processes

Registering as a Nurse in Ontario

Quality Assurance Program

Addressing Complaints at CNO

Reporting Guide

Practice Support Resources

Understanding Restraints

Disagreeing With the Plan of Care

Supporting Learners

Practice Support FAQs

An Introduction to the Nursing Act, 1991

Government Legislation

Health Care Consent Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 2, Sched. A

Nursing Act, 1991 – O. Reg. 275/94 General

Nursing Act, 1991 – O. Reg. 799/93 Professional Misconduct

Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 18

Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 – O. Reg. 107/96 Controlled Acts

Substitute Decisions Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 30

Patient Restraints Minimization Act, 2001

Nurse Practitioner Resources

Nurse Practitioner (Practice Standard)

NP Diagnostic and Prescriptive Authority

NP Practice Resources

List of Reportable Diseases in Ontario

Note: Applicants writing the RN/RPN Jurisprudence Examination are encouraged to review NP Diagnostic and Prescriptive Authority and the Nurse Practitioner practice standard to understand an NP’s scope of practice.