How to Evaluate Your Nursing Credentials in Canada

• You must have completed a post-secondary nursing education program at a recognized institution outside of Canada. This includes both diploma and degree programs for various nursing roles (RN, LPN, RPN).

• You must be currently licensed or previously licensed as a nurse in the country where you completed your education. This is essential for the evaluation of your professional credentials.

• You cannot already be licensed in Canada in the profession for which you are applying. If you hold licensure in Canada, you will not need to undergo the credential evaluation through NNAS.

• If you are applying to work in a province with English or French language requirements, you must provide proof of language proficiency. The most common tests are: 
• IELTS Academic: An overall score of 6.5 with no score lower than 7.0 in speaking.
• CELBAN: A specialized language test for nurses applying to work in Canada.

Step 1: Account Creation
Visit the NNAS portal to create your account. You’ll need to provide your email address, answer three security questions, and accept the terms and conditions. After you verify your email, you can set your password and begin your application.

Step 2: Filling in Details
Once your account is active, you’ll be asked to provide essential details, including:

• Personal Information (name, address, etc.)
• Nursing Education: Include all educational background related to nursing.
• Work History: Detail your professional experience in nursing roles.
• Licenses: Submit details of all professional nursing licenses you’ve held.

Make sure to enter accurate information, as it will directly impact how your credentials are evaluated.

Step 3: Payment of Fees
You must pay the credential evaluation fees via credit card (Visa or MasterCard):

• Regular Service: $650 USD (approx. $845 CAD) for processing within about 12 weeks.
• Expedited Service: $750 CAD for faster processing within five business days after all documents are received.

Both services include credential evaluation for one profession and one regulator. Additional fees apply if you add more regulators or professions.

Step 4: Document Submission
After payment, you’ll gain access to upload documents. Most of these documents—such as nursing transcripts and licensure verification—must be sent directly from the issuing authorities, not by you. Use the portal to track your application’s progress.

Step 5: Monitor Your Application
You can monitor your application status through the NNAS portal. You’ll receive updates on when documents are received and reviewed. Once the evaluation is complete, NNAS will generate your Advisory Report, which is sent directly to the regulatory bodies you’ve selected.

For further details on fees and timelines, visit the NNAS fees page.

1. Nursing Education Transcripts: Your nursing school must send official transcripts and course descriptions directly to NNAS. These documents must detail the number of hours you spent in both theoretical and practical nursing education. This helps to ensure your education aligns with Canadian standards.
2. Employment Verification: If you have worked as a nurse, your employer must submit an employment verification form directly to NNAS. This form verifies your role, responsibilities, and the duration of your nursing experience. Typically, they ask for your employment history over the past five years.
3. Proof of Identity: You must provide notarized copies of two pieces of identification (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or national ID card). These documents must be certified by a notary public, and you must upload these directly through the NNAS portal. The notary will confirm that the documents are true copies of the originals​.
4. License/Registration Verification: Your home country’s nursing regulatory body (the organization that licensed you as a nurse) must send verification of your nursing license or registration directly to NNAS. This confirms that you are or were in good standing as a licensed nurse. All licenses, including the first and current ones, must be submitted by the issuing authority​.

• Document Processing: Depending on the service selected, document processing can take several weeks to months, so follow up with your institution and ensure timely delivery​.Visit IPASS Processing. 
• Expedited Service: If you choose the expedited service, certain documents (like a course-by-course assessment) must be provided by an organization approved by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and will allow for faster processing​.

Make sure to regularly check the NNAS portal to monitor the status of your documents and follow up as needed. For more information, visit the NNAS website.

1. Educational Comparison
   The report evaluates your nursing education against Canadian standards. It assesses your theoretical and practical training, including clinical hours and coursework. This comparison ensures your education aligns with the Canadian Entry to Practice Competencies for nurses.
2. Work Experience Evaluation
   Your professional nursing experience is also reviewed. The report will assess the roles you’ve held, the length of your employment, and your responsibilities to ensure they meet Canadian nursing practice standards.
3. Language Proficiency
   If required, your language proficiency test results (IELTS or CELBAN) will be included. This ensures you meet the language standards necessary to practice in Canada. In some provinces, this could be a crucial requirement before advancing to registration.

Report Access and Next Steps:

• The Advisory Report is sent directly to the regulatory body or bodies you’ve selected when applying. You can also download a copy from your NNAS account for your records.
• This report helps the regulatory body determine whether you may need to undergo further competency assessments, enroll in a bridging program, or proceed with taking a licensing exam such as the NCLEX-RN or CPNRE.

Important Note: The timelines for receiving your report depend on whether you choose Regular Service (approximately 12 weeks) or Expedited Service (about 5 business days once all documents are received).

• Competency Assessments
  Some provinces, such as British Columbia, may require additional competency assessments if there are gaps in your NNAS Advisory Report. These assessments test your practical skills and knowledge to ensure they meet Canadian standards.
  For example, the Inspire Global Assessments. in British Columbia evaluates clinical competencies for nurses whose qualifications are not fully aligned with Canadian requirements.
• Bridging Programs
  If gaps are found between your international nursing education and Canadian standards, you may need to complete a bridging program. These programs are designed to help IENs fill educational or clinical gaps and meet Canadian nursing standards. Bridging programs typically cover key areas such as clinical practice, patient safety, and healthcare systems.
  In Ontario, for instance, the Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) Bridging Program is a common path for nurses needing further education before becoming eligible for licensure.
• Licensing Exams
  After your credentials are assessed and any required education is completed, you may need to pass a licensing exam to practice. For Registered Nurses (RNs), this typically involves the NCLEX-RN exam, while Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs/RPNs) take the CPNRE or REx-PN in provinces like Ontario and British Columbia.

• Ontario: College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
• British Columbia: British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
• Alberta: College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
• Saskatchewan: College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS)
• Manitoba: College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM)
• New Brunswick: Nurses Association of New Brunswick (NANB)
• Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN)
• Newfoundland and Labrador: College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CRNNL)
• Yukon: Yukon Registered Nurses Association (YRNA)
• Northwest Territories and Nunavut: Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (RNANT/NU)

The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) is a requirement for RN licensure in all Canadian provinces and territories except Quebec. The exam assesses your ability to apply nursing knowledge in real-life situations, focusing on critical areas such as patient care, pharmacology, and clinical decision-making.

Key updates for 2024:

• The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) has been introduced to better evaluate clinical judgment and decision-making. It includes scenario-based questions, extended response formats, and new question types like drag-and-drop and matrix/grid questions​.
• The exam uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT), with a range of 85 to 150 questions, depending on how quickly you demonstrate competency. The test adjusts its difficulty based on your responses​

The Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) is a mandatory computer-based test for LPNs/RPNs in most provinces, excluding Ontario and British Columbia, which use the REx-PN exam instead.

• The CPNRE consists of 160-180 multiple-choice questions that assess entry-level competencies required for safe and effective practice​.
• The exam is administered through Meazure Learning, and candidates have three opportunities to pass it. Failing to pass within the allowed attempts may result in the need for additional education​.

In Ontario, nurses are required to participate in the MyQA Program as part of their continuing competency requirements. This program includes:

• Self-Assessments: Nurses evaluate their own practice based on the College of Nurses of Ontario’s standards.
• Learning Plans: Development of personalized learning plans based on areas for growth identified in self-assessments.

For more information, visit the CNO MyQA Program.

In British Columbia, nurses must fulfill the Continuing Competency Program (CCP) requirements by completing:

• Self-Assessments: Regular self-evaluation of competencies.
• Professional Development: Completion of relevant courses, workshops, or certifications.
• Active Practice Hours: Ensuring a minimum number of practice hours within a given time frame.

For additional details, visit the BCCNM Continuing Competency Program.