If you trained outside Canada or the United States

To be eligible for registration in the College's General Class, applicants must:

• complete an application for a Certificate of Registration and pay the fee; 
• show proof of having completed an approved nurse or practical nurse program; 
• successfully complete the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination or the Canadian Practical Registered Nurse Examination or acceptable equivalent 
• show proof of recent safe nursing practice (1,125 hours within the last five years or graduation within the last five years prior to registration) 
• show evidence of fluency in written and spoken English or French 
• provide proof of Canadian Citizenship, permanent resident status, or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) to practise nursing 
• show evidence of registration in the jurisdiction where the nursing program was completed, or evidence of eligibility for registration 
• show evidence of good character and suitability to practice.

All nurses are expected to engage in ongoing learning and to maintain the competencies for providing safe client care. All nurses must renew their CNO membership annually, maintaining up-to-date skills and knowledge of current practices, to preserve their professional standing.

Internationally educated nurses may need to complete additional study to meet the program or practice requirements of registration. There are bridging programs designed to help nurses who have completed their nursing education outside Canada meet registration requirements. These programs:

• require you to have applied for CNO registration, been assessed and have received a letter of direction that recommends what steps you should take to meet the requirements; 
• are generally designed for applicants who were educated as Registered Nurses in another country; 
• provide an opportunity for college-educated applicants to enter a university nursing program in Canada; 
• give you the opportunity to gain evidence of safe practice; and 
• may provide an alternative for international applicants who do not meet the baccalaureate requirement for RN registration to qualify for writing the RPN examination.

For more information about these programs contact the College of Nurses of Ontario.

If you are an international health professional, the HealthForceOntario Access Centre helps internationally educated health professionals living in Ontario with information, advice and support on the process of seeking eligibility for professional practice in Ontario.