What is language proficiency?

CNO defines “language proficiency” as the ability to communicate and comprehend effectively, both orally and in writing, in either English or French.

You must be able to show proficiency in either English or French to practice nursing in Ontario. This is to ensure you have the level of language skills needed to practice as a nurse.

To meet this requirement for registration, CNO reviews your evidence to determine whether you can read, write, listen and speak in either English or French at a level that allows you to practice nursing safely and competently. The table on this page describes the types of evidence CNO considers for this requirement, including accepted language proficiency tests.

How to meet the proficiency in English or French requirement

This flowchart illustrates the ways you can meet the requirement for proficiency in English or French.

Education – In the past two years...

  • I have completed a nursing education program in English or French, with a clinical component, in any jurisdiction

  • I have completed additional nursing education (for example, courses, specialty program) in English or French, with a clinical component in any jurisdiction

  • I have completed a health care or health care support program in English or French, with a clinical component in Canada

  • If you answered YES to any of the above options, the requirement is met

Experience – In the past two years...

  • I have practice experience as a nurse in a primarily English or French setting

  • I have health care or health care support service working experience in English or French in Canada

  • If you answered YES to any of the above options, the requirement is met

Registration

  • I am registered or have previously held registration as a Nurse within the past two years in a Canadian jurisdiction

  • Yes – requirement met

Language Test – In the past two years...

  • I have successful results on one of CNO’s approved language proficiency tests

  • Yes – requirement met

Evidence of language proficiency

You can demonstrate language proficiency through

  • education,
  • experience,
  • registration status or
  • language proficiency testing.

You only need to submit one form of evidence (gained no more than two years before opening your application) to demonstrate you have the necessary level of proficiency to practice nursing safely and competently. For example, if you choose to submit practice experience as a nurse in an English or French setting in the past two years to demonstrate your proficiency, then you do not need to submit other types of evidence.

CNO Policy: Assessing Proficiency in English or French


Extension of language proficiency evidence

If your evidence of language proficiency expires before you register with CNO, you will be granted a one-year extension. This one-time extension is part of CNO’s commitment to ensuring that  our application assessment processes are informed, fair, inclusive and effective. You do not need to contact CNO to request an extension.

Accepted language proficiency tests

French and English language tests are one way CNO assesses language proficiency. Benchmark scores set the minimum language proficiency score required for each test. The benchmark scores align with the language demands required for safe, ethical and effective nursing practice.

Applicants can meet the language proficiency requirement by achieving the minimum scores listed below for any one of the following tests:

Applicants must achieve the minimum benchmark scores for all of the components of the test during one complete attempt of the test. But in some cases, there is an approved option to attempt one component of a specific test, such as the IELTS One Skill Retake. If necessary, applicants can retake tests in full to demonstrate language proficiency.

Visit the examination websites to learn more about testing locations and times, fees and retakes.

NOTE: CNO accepts language proficiency tests approved under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) once we set our benchmarks for that test. Please note that if you write an approved test as part of your immigration process, you must meet CNO’s minimum benchmark for this test to be accepted as a registration requirement. This may be a different benchmark than you must meet for immigration purposes.

We will update this page when additional tests are benchmarked and approved by CNO. Please check back often.

Minimum required test scores

Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN)

These are the minimum benchmark scores that must be achieved; they include the standard error of measurement.

CNO accepts CELBAN results if the test is written at any time within two years before registering. The test can be completed online or at a CELBAN administration site. CNO does not accept results from CELBAN tests that educational institutions have administered for educational purposes.

Website: Canadian English Language Benchmarks Assessment for Nurses

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General training and academic, including the one-skill retake

These are the minimum benchmark scores that must be achieved; they include the standard error of measurement of 0.5.

CNO accepts scores from both the General Training and Academic format of the IELTS test, or a score from the One Skill Retake written within 60 days of the original test date as follows:

  • Results from the IELTS General Training test or from an IELTS General Training test along with the IELTS General One Skill Retake will be accepted only when written within two years before you apply for registration. CNO will not accept results from IELTS General if you write it any other time.
  • Results from the IELTS Academic test or from an IELTS Academic test along with the IELTS Academic One Skill Retake will be accepted when written any time within two years of registering.
  • Results from the IELTS One Skill Retake will be accepted with the original IELTS test (General Training or Academic). If you retake a test component (skill) within 60 days of the original test, the retake score will replace the corresponding score from the original test.

Website: International English Language Testing System

Occupational English Test (OET)  

These scores are the minimum benchmark scores that must be achieved.  CNO accepts OET results if the test is written at any time within two years of registering. 

Website: Occupational English Test 

Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 

These are the minimum benchmark scores that must be achieved. CNO accepts PTE: Academic results if the test is written at any time within two years of registering.

Website: Pearson Test of English 

Test d'evaluation de francais (TEF)

These scores are the minimum benchmark scores that must be achieved.

CNO accepts TEF Canada test results if the test is written either two years prior to the date of applying, or within two years of the date of registering.

Website: Test d’évaluation de français

Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada

These scores are the minimum benchmark scores that must be achieved.

CNO only accepts TCF test results written within two years before you apply to register.

Website: Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF)