Important notice about using third parties in your application
You must complete and submit the application to CNO yourself. CNO is available to help you throughout the application process. If you choose to get help from a third party, such as an immigration consultant, NCLEX preparation service, online group, friends or other advisors when preparing your application to become a nurse in Ontario, you should never share your login details, allow someone else to sign into your account, or let anyone submit or verify information on your behalf. Doing so may affect your eligibility for registration. Learn more.
To register as a Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) with CNO, you must meet registration requirements. Please visit each page to learn more about how to meet the requirements.
Note: These requirements apply to all applicants to CNO except those currently registered in other Canadian jurisdictions, who need to meet specified requirements.
Registration Requirements
You must demonstrate the successful completion of a nursing education program designed to prepare you for the type of nursing that you want to practice in Ontario.
You must show that you have experience practicing as a nurse within the past three years. Most applicants automatically meet this requirement by completing an Ontario nursing program approved by CNO within the past three years. However, there are other ways to meet the requirement.
You must successfully complete the registration examination approved by CNO for the category of nursing in which you want to register.
You must successfully complete either the RN/RPN Jurisprudence Examination or the NP Jurisprudence Examination.
You must meet the Transition to Practice requirement to register as an RN or RPN. Most applicants will meet this requirement by completing their nursing education in Canada, by showing evidence of current registration in a Canadian jurisdiction or by completing a Transition to Practice course.
You must be able to show proficiency in either English or French before you can practice nursing in Ontario.
You must provide proof of your citizenship, residency status, or authorization to practice nursing in Ontario before you can register with CNO.
To protect the public, CNO must determine whether applicants meet the character, conduct and health requirements to show that they can practice nursing safely. This requirement includes declarations about your health and conduct, as well as a police criminal record check.