How to Become a Registered Nurse in New Brunswick
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Nurses' Association of New Brunswick to work as a registered nurse in New Brunswick or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- registered nurse, RN
Show the source
“You may not practice as a registered nurse or use the RN title until you have received confirmation from CNNB that you are registered.”
From nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/exam-application, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained outside Canada: 7 steps, listed one-time fees $750 (1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total)
- Annual fees
-
- Registration – RN (Dec 1-Nov 30): $375 (Registration – RN (Dec 1-Nov 30))
Source
“Registration – RN (Dec 1-Nov 30) | $375.00 + Taxes (non-refundable)”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/fees-hours-transcripts - Registration – RN (June 1-Nov 30): $225 (Registration – RN (June 1-Nov 30))
Source
“Registration – RN (June 1-Nov 30) | $225.00 + Taxes (non-refundable)”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/fees-hours-transcripts - Non-Practising: $40 (Non-Practising)
Source
“Non-Practising | $ 40+ Taxes (non-refundable)”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/fees-hours-transcripts
- Registration – RN (Dec 1-Nov 30): $375 (Registration – RN (Dec 1-Nov 30))
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 7 done
- Listed one-time fees: $750
- 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
- 5 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $375 (Registration – RN (Dec 1-Nov 30)), $225 (Registration – RN (June 1-Nov 30)), $40 (Non-Practising)
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Before applying to the College of Nursing of New Brunswick, applicants must first register with the Province of New Brunswick's IEN Navigation Service by email.
Source
“Before applying to the College of Nursing of New Brunswick (formerly, the Nurses Association of New Brunswick), applicants must first register with the Province of New Brunswick’s (PNB) IEN Navigation Service. To begin, send an email to [email protected] with “IEN Support Program” in the subject line.”
nanb.nb.ca/ien/zone5/step1 -
Applicants apply to NNAS and to CNNB as part of the application process.
- Main Application (Expedited Service): $750
-
Applicants pay the applicable fees for their application.
- Internationally Educated Applicants Processing Fee: $500 (Internationally Educated Applicants)
Source
“Internationally Educated Applicants Processing Fee | $500 + Taxes (non-refundable)”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/fees-hours-transcripts
- Internationally Educated Applicants Processing Fee: $500 (Internationally Educated Applicants)
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Applicants must demonstrate language proficiency.
-
Applicants must meet the currency of practice requirement.
-
Applicants may need to complete a competency assessment or courses.
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Applicants must complete the entry-to-practice exam.
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $750
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $750 | 100% |
| One-time total | $750 | 100% |
1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Registration – RN (Dec 1-Nov 30): $375 (Registration – RN (Dec 1-Nov 30))
Source
“Registration – RN (Dec 1-Nov 30) | $375.00 + Taxes (non-refundable)”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/fees-hours-transcripts - Registration – RN (June 1-Nov 30): $225 (Registration – RN (June 1-Nov 30))
Source
“Registration – RN (June 1-Nov 30) | $225.00 + Taxes (non-refundable)”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/fees-hours-transcripts - Non-Practising: $40 (Non-Practising)
Source
“Non-Practising | $ 40+ Taxes (non-refundable)”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/fees-hours-transcripts
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Late/Lapsed Registration: $100 (Late/Lapsed Registration)
Source
“Late/Lapsed Registration | Add $100 + Taxes (non-refundable)”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/fees-hours-transcripts - Late Non-Practising: $10 (Late Non-Practising)
Source
“Late Non-Practising | Add $10 + Taxes (non-refundable)”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/fees-hours-transcripts - Application processing fee: $100 (Out-of-Province, NP, and new graduate applications)
Source
“Application processing fee: Out-of-Province, NP, and new graduate applications | $100 + Taxes (non-refundable)”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/fees-hours-transcripts - Initial Temporary Registration Permit (TRP): $100 (Initial Temporary Registration Permit)
Source
“Initial Temporary Registration Permit (TRP) | $100 + taxes (non-refundable)”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/fees-hours-transcripts - TRP Renewal: $50 (TRP Renewal)
- Reinstatement of Lapsed TRP: $100 (Reinstatement of Lapsed TRP)
Source
“Reinstatement of Lapsed TRP | $100+ taxes (non-refundable)”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/fees-hours-transcripts - Unauthorized practice fee: $287.50
Source
“you will be charged an additional late fee of $115.00 and an unauthorized practice fee. Unauthorized practice fees start at $287.50.”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/renewal - Late fee for practising without valid registration: $115
Source
“you will be charged an additional late fee of $115.00 and an unauthorized practice fee. Unauthorized practice fees start at $287.50.”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/renewal - NNAS document translation (per page): $115 (per page of document translation)
- Reactivation of expired application: $240
- Appeals: $500
Requirements
Education
CNNB must receive confirmation that you have completed an approved nursing education program.
Source
“Once CNNB has received confirmation that you have completed an approved nursing education program and you have submitted all required documents, you will be deemed eligible to write the registration examination (NCLEX-RN).”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/exam-application
Experience
Registered nurses must have practised a minimum of 1125 hours in a recognized field of nursing in the previous five years to be eligible for registration or renewal.
Source
“Registered nurses must have practised a minimum of 1125 hours in a recognized field of nursing in the previous five years.”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/fees-hours-transcripts
Police check
Applicants must provide any missing documents, which may include an updated criminal record check, before they can be registered.
Source
“Before you can be registered, you must provide any missing documents (for example: official transcripts or updated criminal record check), have your application approved by the registrar, and pay the registration fee.”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/exam-application
Insurance
Registering for CNPS professional liability protection and core services is a requirement for registration with CNNB.
Source
“Registering for the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS) professional liability protection and core services is a requirement for registration with CNNB.”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/renewal
Other
To be eligible for initial registration, a candidate must write and pass the NCLEX-RN or OIIQ entrance exam within 3 years of completing their nursing program.
Source
“To be eligible for initial registration in New Brunswick a candidate must write and pass the NCLEX-RN or OIIQ entrance exam within 3 years of completing their nursing program.”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/exam-applicationTo renew registration, applicants must satisfy CNNB's requirements for Continuing Competence.
Source
“To renew your registration you must satisfy CNNB’s requirements for Continuing Competence.”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/renewal
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages do not state how a registered nurse already licensed in another Canadian province or territory can register in New Brunswick; the page about Canadian applicants covers nurse practitioners. Source
“This section is for nurse practitioners who have been registered to practice in another Canadian jurisdiction and are applying to New Brunswick FOR THE FIRST TIME.”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/canadian-np
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Nurses' Association of New Brunswick
Credential assessment
NNAS Advisory Report
credential assessment of internationally educated nurses
Source
“The NNAS Advisory Report includes all the documents that have been submitted and verified by NNAS and any correspondence you have had with NNAS.”
nnas.ca/application-process-timeline
Exams
-
NCLEX-RN
Source
“To be eligible for initial registration in New Brunswick a candidate must write and pass the NCLEX-RN or OIIQ entrance exam within 3 years of completing their nursing program.”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/exam-application -
OIIQ entrance exam
Source
“To be eligible for initial registration in New Brunswick a candidate must write and pass the NCLEX-RN or OIIQ entrance exam within 3 years of completing their nursing program.”
nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/exam-application
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nurses' Association of New Brunswick
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nurses' Association of New Brunswick
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Nurses' Association of New Brunswick
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick | $31.00 | $44.77 | $49.00 | Very good (5 of 5) |
| Canada | $30.00 | $43.27 | $54.37 | — |
Registered nurses in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- Nova Scotia Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Licence required
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Licence required
- Northwest Territories Licence required
- Nunavut Licence required
Sources checked
- Registration Exam Application Process - CNNB nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/exam-application · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apply to the Register - IEN - NANB nanb.nb.ca/en/ien · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apply to the CNNB Register - IEN - Zone 5, Step 1 nanb.nb.ca/ien/zone5/step1 · fetched October 10, 2026
- Fees - National Nursing Assessment Service nnas.ca/fees · fetched October 10, 2026
- Fees, Hours & Transcripts - Registration Requirements - CNNB nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/fees-hours-transcripts · fetched October 10, 2026
- Registration Renewal - CNNB nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/renewal · fetched October 10, 2026
- Application Process & Timeline - National Nursing Assessment Service nnas.ca/application-process-timeline · fetched October 9, 2026
- Apply to the Register for Canadian NPs - CNNB nanb.nb.ca/en/registration/canadian-np · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a registered nurse in New Brunswick?
Yes. Registration with the Nurses' Association of New Brunswick is required to practise in New Brunswick, and to use the title registered nurse or RN.
Which exams are required?
NCLEX-RN, OIIQ entrance exam.
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