Types of Evidence

Completing an entry-level nursing program or additional education in English or French within the past two years

Your education:

• can be completed in any jurisdiction
• must have a theory and clinical component (e.g., clinical practicum, placement or co-op). The clinical component must be completed in a practice setting where one of the primary languages used is either English or French and must include direct interactions with patients, clients and/or other health care professionals. Virtual clinical hours are not accepted exclusively.

CNO requires one of the following forms to support your evidence: 

• Verification of Course Completion  
• Verification of Course Completion and Transcript Request  
• Language Proficiency: Request for Educational Transcript 
• NNAS Education Form from NNAS (received directly from NNAS)

Completing a health care or health care support program in English or French in Canada within the past two years

• program must have theory and a clinical component (e.g., clinical practicum, placement or co-op). The clinical component must be completed in a practice setting where one of the primary languages used is either English or French and must include direct interactions with patients, clients and/or other health care professionals. Virtual clinical hours are not accepted exclusively.

CNO requires the following forms to support your evidence: 

• Language Proficiency: Request for Educational Transcript  

Completing one of the following:

A. Practice experience as a nurse where English or French are one of the primary languages used by the applicant in the practice setting within the past two years. Practice experience includes:

• providing direct patient/client care or delivering services that have a direct or indirect effect on a patient/client’s care or on healthcare system  
• direct interactions with patients, clients and/or other health care professionals 
• clinical and non-clinical experiences for RNs and RPNs. 

CNO will consider practice experiences in both paid and volunteer roles in any jurisdiction 

B. Successful completion of a supervised practice experience within the past two years through:  

• CNO’s Supervised Practice Experience Partnership  
• CNO’s Supervised Practice Experience for returning members  
• Acceptable supervised practice experiences for NPs 

Practice Experience must include: 

• providing direct patient/client care or services  
• direct interactions with patients, clients and/or other health care professionals 

CNO requires one of the following forms to support your evidence:

• Verification of Nursing Practice Form   
• Supervised Practice Experience Partnership Completion Form for Organizations   
• Supervised Practice Experience Completion Form   
• NNAS Nursing Practice/Employment Form (received directly from NNAS)

Health care or health care support experience in Canada

Experience providing health care or health care support services in English or French in Canada within the past two years.

Experience must include: 

• providing direct patient/client care or services  
• direct interactions with patients, clients and/or other health care professionals  

CNO will consider experiences in both paid and volunteer roles in any jurisdiction. 

The applicant's level of proficiency must be verified by a Regulated Health Professional (RHP) who works with the applicant in the health care or practice setting. The RHP must be active and practicing in their profession and can verify the applicants’ use of language skills in English or French in the healthcare or practice setting.

CNO requires the following form to support your evidence: 

• Confirmation of Language Proficiency form

Holding current registration or previously held registration as a practicing nurse with CNO or in another Canadian jurisdiction (e.g. Registered Nurse, Licensed/Registered Practical Nurse, Nurse Practitioner)

One of the following must be sent directly to CNO from the Canadian nursing regulatory authority:

• Verification of Registration form for RNs or RPNs
• Verification of Registration form for Nurse Practitioner
• Confirmation of registration issued by the Canadian nursing regulatory authority if registered outside Ontario

Tests results must be sent directly to CNO from the test centre or language proficiency organization