Types of Evidence
You can demonstrate language proficiency through education, registration status, language proficiency testing or experience.
The evidence you provide must be within two years before you receive your certificate of registration from CNO.
You only need to submit one form of evidence to demonstrate you have the 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 to demonstrate your proficiency, then you do not need to submit other types of evidence.
CNO Policy: Assessing Proficiency in English or French
Education
- completing an approved nursing education program in English or French
- the program must have a theory and clinical component
- the program can be in any jurisdiction
- completing additional nursing education in English or French
- education must have a theory and clinical component
- CNO requires the following form to support your evidence: Language Proficiency: Request for Educational Transcript
- completing a health care or health care support program in English or French in Canada
- program must include theory and a clinical/practicum/internship placement
- clinical component must be in person with services provided to patients in English or French
- CNO requires the following forms to support your evidence:
Registration
- a current nursing certificate of registration with CNO or in another Canadian jurisdiction
- having held a nursing certificate of registration with CNO or in another Canadian jurisdiction within the last two years
Language Test
- successfully passing one of CNO’s approved language proficiency tests
Experience
- practice experience as a nurse in an English or French setting
- nursing services must be provided in English or French
- primary language used to communicate with patient population is English or French
- practice experience includes clinical and non-clinical
- CNO will consider practice experiences in both paid and volunteer roles
- experience providing health or health support services in English or French in Canada
- Interaction with patients must be a component of this role.
- CNO requires the following form to support your evidence: Confirmation of Language Proficiency
Requesting an Extension
You can request an extension of the timeframe if your evidence of language proficiency falls outside the normal two-year timeframe (e.g., if you want your program completion date from more than two years ago to be extended to meet the language proficiency requirement). This timeframe may be extended by the Registration Committee.
If your extension request is not granted, then you will have to meet the requirement through another option, such as writing an approved language proficiency test.
