If you are a self-employed nurse in independent practice, you have options for incorporating your own business. These include incorporating with the Ontario or federal government. As a nurse, you also have the option of setting up a Health Profession Corporation authorized by CNO.

Before choosing from these options, we recommend you discuss your situation with an accountant or lawyer to determine the best option for you.

Choosing to register a Health Profession Corporation

As a nurse, you have the option of setting up a Health Profession Corporation through CNO, but it is not a requirement. If you intend to set up a Health Profession Corporation you will also need to be incorporated with the Ontario government.

When you set up a Health Professional Corporation, you remain registered as a nurse with CNO and therefore must meet all requirements of your practicing class:

  • renew annually
  • uphold CNO’s practice standards and guidelines
  • complete your annual Quality Assurance requirements
  • comply with the reporting requirements
  • hold Professional Liability Protection

Note: You can incorporate your business with the Ontario government without setting up a Health Profession Corporation. This is optional. An accountant or lawyer can help you determine whether you should choose this option.

Confirming and renewing your Health Profession Corporation

When you register a Health Profession Corporation, CNO confirms your registration on Find a Nurse. This shows the public that your corporation is authorized by CNO.

You must renew your Health Profession Corporation each year and pay an annual renewal fee. If the shareholders of the corporation change, you must inform CNO within 10 days.

See our Application & Registration Fees page for costs related to obtaining and renewing your certificate of authorization for a Health Profession Corporation.

Setting up a Health Profession Corporation

  • Confirm the name of your corporation with CNO to make sure it meets our naming requirements. The requirements are described under “Restrictions on Health Profession Corporations” on this page.
  • Apply for and obtain incorporation from the Ontario Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement. You do this by filing your articles of incorporation with the ministry and submitting any fees and documents they require.
  • Apply to CNO for a Certificate of Authorization. To do this, fill out the certificate of authorization application form and submit it with a copy of your corporation profile report issued by the ministry (or a service provider under contract to the ministry). The report must be dated no more than 30 days before the date you submit your application to CNO.

Sending applications to CNO

Application forms can be sent directly to CNO in one of three ways:

Mail:

College of Nurses of Ontario
101 Davenport Road
Toronto, ON M5R 3P1

Email: cno@cnomail.org

Fax or electronic fax: 416 928-6507

Include the following when you address your forms:

  • Attention: Customer Service
  • Subject: HPC

After registering a Health Profession Corporation

Once you are registered as a Health Profession Corporation, the following information will apply to your corporation.

  • The name and address of your corporation, the names of all shareholders and any revocations of the corporation’s certificate of authorization are posted on CNO’s public register, Find a Nurse.
  • The corporation’s shareholders are responsible for upholding CNO’s standards of practice. They must practice nursing according to CNO’s Independent Practice practice guideline, especially in relation to business advertising. They also remain accountable to CNO for their professional conduct.
  • Anyone can make a complaint against your corporation or any nurse that works for the corporation. CNO investigates all complaints. Consumers can also contact the Consumer Protection Ontario if they have concerns about your corporation’s business practices.

Restrictions on Health Profession Corporations

Provincial legislation imposes a number of restrictions on Health Profession Corporations for nurses, including the following:

  • Only nurses registered with CNO can be shareholders in the corporation.
  • The corporation’s officers and directors must be shareholders.
  • The corporation’s name must include:
    • the last name of one or more shareholders, as listed on CNO’s register, Find a Nurse (first names or initials are optional) and
    • the words “Nursing” and “Professional Corporation” or “Société Professionnelle”; for example, the final name could be Jones, Smith & Partners Nursing Professional Corporation.
  • The name of the corporation cannot be a numbered company (such as 1234567 Ontario Inc.).
  • The corporation can practice only nursing care or ancillary services, such as health care or foot care.
  • The corporation is subject to CNO’s regulatory processes.

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