To meet the nursing education requirement, you must demonstrate successful completion of a nursing education program, approved or recognized in the jurisdiction where you completed your education.
Your nursing program must have prepared you for the category of nursing that you are applying for in Ontario: Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) or Nurse Practitioner (NP). Most applicants meet this requirement by completing a nursing program approved by CNO.
The education requirements for each category are summarized in this table.
| Category of Nursing |
Minimum education credential required |
|
Registered Nurse (RN)
|
A baccalaureate nursing degree approved or recognized in any jurisdiction
|
|
Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)
|
A practical nursing diploma approved or recognized in any jurisdiction
|
|
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
|
An approved Ontario university NP program in the specialty for which you are applying
|
RN education
RN applicants can meet the education requirement by completing a baccalaureate nursing program approved by CNO or one that is approved or recognized in any jurisdiction.
A nursing diploma that allows you to practice as an RN in your home country will not meet CNO’s nursing education requirement for RN applicants.
You may be able to open an RPN application in this situation instead; an RPN diploma is the minimum requirement for an Ontario RPN applicant.
RPN education
RPN applicants can meet this requirement by completing an RPN diploma nursing program approved by CNO or one that is approved or recognized in any jurisdiction.
NP education
Most NP applicants meet this requirement by completing a nursing program approved for NPs by CNO.
If you did not complete an approved NP program, we will look at your nursing education to determine whether it meets the entry-to-practice education requirement for NPs in Ontario.
This graphic outlines three ways you can meet the nursing education requirement for NPs.
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An approved Ontario university Nurse Practitioner program in the specialty for which you are applying
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A nursing program approved, in the jurisdiction in which you completed it, as one that would allow you to practice in that jurisdiction as a Nurse Practitioner in the specialty for which you are applying
and
CNO has reviewed your NP education and determined that it is the equivalent to that of a current graduate of an approved Ontario NP program
and
CNO has reviewed your NP practice information and determined that you have the equivalent nursing knowledge, skill and judgment to that of a current graduate of an approved Ontario university NP program in the specialty for which you are applying
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A Competency Assessment Supplement (CAS), which CNO will review along with your NP education and practice information, to determine whether you have equivalent nursing knowledge, skill and judgment to that of a current graduate of an approved Ontario NP program in the specialty for which you are applying
If you do not have the required education
If you do not have the required nursing education credential, CNO will assess your foundational nursing education and any additional nursing courses or programs you have completed. We will then determine whether your education is substantially equivalent to an approved Ontario nursing program.
“Substantially Equivalent” means applicants have received nursing education that provides them with the nursing knowledge, skill and judgment to enter practice in Ontario. Read more about substantial equivalence.
Education in other health care fields
If you were trained as a doctor, midwife, medical technician or any health professional other than nurse, your education will not be taken into consideration, even if that education allowed you to carry out the duties of a nurse in your home country.
If you cannot provide evidence of nursing education, you will not be permitted to proceed with your application. You must demonstrate successful completion of a nursing program that meets CNO’s nursing education requirement.
Nursing competencies
Competencies are the building blocks of nursing practice. They are the behavioural actions that require a nurse to bring their depth of knowledge, skill and judgment to their role, allowing them to safely practice and adapt to changes in a health care environment.
CNO has prepared three documents that list the competencies that applicants must demonstrate to enter practice in Ontario. There is one document for each type of nurse.
When CNO considers whether your education is substantially equivalent to an Ontario nursing program, we assess your foundational nursing education from your original nursing program, and any additional nursing courses or programs you have taken, to determine whether your education included the critical competencies that make up the RN or RPN Education Pathways.
If your education is substantially equivalent, then you will meet the education requirement and be eligible to write the registration exam.
If your education is not substantially equivalent, then you may choose from options that best suit you to meet the substantial equivalence requirement: