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What a nurse trained abroad needs to register in Canada

Read from the regulator's own documents. Each step shows what it costs, who usually pays, and the date we last checked it. Enter your details and we tell you which of these you already meet.

NNAS report, the College of Nurses of Ontario and the NCLEX-RN

College of Nurses of Ontario · ~12 months · ~CAD 1,794 · 11 steps

The NNAS Advisory Report, the CNO application, the NCLEX-RN and the jurisprudence exam, a transition to practice course, English or French evidence and authorization to work lead to General Class registration in Ontario, which stands for the provinces in the plan.

  1. 1
    Nursing diploma or degree that prepares registered nurses
    Source ↗
  2. 2
    Nursing practice within the past three years (or graduation within three years)
    Source ↗
  3. 3
    NNAS Advisory Report (Expedited Service, CAD 750; issued within five business days of the last document)
    ~10 weeks · ~CAD 750 · you pay · Source ↗
  4. 4
    Apply to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CAD 489.29 with HST in 2026)
    ~2 weeks · ~CAD 489 · you pay · Source ↗
  5. 5
    English or French: IELTS 7 overall (7 listening and speaking, 6.5 reading and writing), OET B/C+ (350/330/320/350), PTE 73/66/68/75 or CELBAN 9/8/7/8, within two years; or nursing education or practice in English in the last two years
    you pay · Source ↗
  6. 6
    Pass the NCLEX-RN (CAD 360 plus CAD 150 to sit it outside Canada; CAD 570 from 1 February 2027)
    ~16 weeks · ~CAD 510 · you pay · Source ↗
  7. 7
    Pass CNO's online jurisprudence examination (CAD 45.20)
    ~2 weeks · ~CAD 45 · you pay · Source ↗
  8. 8
    Complete a transition to practice course at an Ontario school
    ~8 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
  9. 9
    Two years on a permanent Nigerian licence before the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria will verify your certificates for a foreign regulator (nurses trained in Nigeria)
    you pay · unconfirmed · Source ↗
  10. 10
    Authorization to work in Ontario (permanent residence, citizenship or a work permit), then register (CAD 69 plus the annual fee)
    ~26 weeks · who pays varies · Source ↗
  11. 11
    Overseas Employment Certificate from the Department of Migrant Workers, through a DMW-licensed recruitment agency or an employer the DMW allows to hire directly (Filipino workers)
    who pays varies · Source ↗

Rules checked 25 Oct 2026 · outcomeOS describes each regulator's published rules; it does not advise on your individual case. · Privacy · Terms

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