Registration Examination
If you plan to register as a nurse in Ontario, you must first pass a registration exam approved by CNO's Council for the nursing category for which you are applying (RN, RPN or NP).
RN applicants: You must first pass the NCLEX-RN.
RPN applicants: You must first pass the REx-PN (if writing in 2022 and onward).
NP applicants: You must first pass an approved exam for your specialty.
Some applicants may already have written an exam that meets this requirement. See Examinations for a list of exams the CNO accepts for RN, RPN and NP applicants. You must report to CNO for its review all attempts on any CNO-approved exam.
Exam accommodation is available to those who qualify. See Requesting Accommodation for details.
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Has CNO said you can apply to write your registration exam? |
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We will tell you when you are eligible to write your exam. Call Customer Service for questions about exam eligibility. |
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YES
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Follow instructions about arranging a date to write your exam. |
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Pay the fees and write your exam.
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Receive your results. Did you pass?
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Requirement Met
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NO
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Do you have any more chances left to write your exam?
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Your application will be reviewed by the Registration Committee. Find more information on the repeat attempts policy page. |
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YES
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Retake your exam.
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Repeat Attempts
The number of attempts you are allowed to make on your registration exam depends on which exam you are writing.
If you are writing an exam with a limited number of attempts and you haven’t passed the exam after the maximum number of allowed attempts, then your application to the College will be reviewed by the Registration Committee. (See Options when failing the CPNRE: Frequently asked questions for the latest information on the option to write the REx-PN). It will consider any extenuating circumstances (such as a medical or family emergency) that might give CNO reason to annul the results of one or more of your attempts.
Review Registration Exam: Repeat Attempts for more information.
See the individual exam information pages for more information about each exam.
