How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Ontario
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario to work as a nurse practitioner in Ontario or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Show the source
“To practice as a Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Ontario, you must register with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).”
From cno.org/become-a-nurse/become-a-nurse, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps, listed one-time fees $40
- Licensed in another province: 4 steps, listed one-time fees $40
- Trained outside Canada: 6 steps, listed one-time fees $40
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Nurses of Ontario
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 5 done
- Listed one-time fees: $40
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 1 month (only 1 of 5 steps state a time)
-
The applicant reviews the registration guide that applies to them on the CNO website.
Source
“To find the registration guide that applies to you, visit our Registration Guides pages.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/become-a-nurse -
The applicant begins their application through CNO's online portal.
Source
“Learn about the application process, which uses our online portal, Maintain Your Membership.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/become-a-nurse -
- Application fee: $40
Source
“There is a fee of $40 plus applicable taxes ($42 in 2027) to write the jurisprudence examination.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/examinations/jurisprudence-examination
Time: 30 daysTime source
“You have 30 days from the date your exam payment is processed to take your jurisprudence examination.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/examinations/jurisprudence-examinationSource
“Once you have submitted your CNO application online and paid the application fee, you will receive a message in your Maintain Your Membership (MYM) applicant portal informing you to pay the jurisprudence examination fee to access the exam.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/examinations/jurisprudence-examination - Application fee: $40
-
The applicant waits for eligibility notice, arranges the exam date, pays the exam fees, writes the exam and waits for results.
Source
“1. Wait for CNO to notify you that you are eligible to write the exam. 2. Follow CNO’s instructions to arrange your examination date with the exam provider. 3. Pay the exam fees. 4. Write the exam. 5. Wait for CNO to notify you of your results.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/registration-exami... -
Ontario nursing graduates meet the transition to practice requirement by completing the course through their nursing education program.
Source
“Ontario nursing graduates will meet the requirement by completing the course through their nursing education program.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/transition-to-prac...
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $40
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $40 | 100% |
| One-time total | $40 | 100% |
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 4 done
- Listed one-time fees: $40
- 3 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 1 month (only 1 of 4 steps state a time)
-
The applicant begins their application through CNO's online portal.
Source
“Learn about the application process, which uses our online portal, Maintain Your Membership.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/become-a-nurse -
- Application fee: $40
Source
“There is a fee of $40 plus applicable taxes ($42 in 2027) to write the jurisprudence examination.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/examinations/jurisprudence-examination
Time: 30 daysTime source
“You have 30 days from the date your exam payment is processed to take your jurisprudence examination.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/examinations/jurisprudence-examinationSource
“Once you have submitted your CNO application online and paid the application fee, you will receive a message in your Maintain Your Membership (MYM) applicant portal informing you to pay the jurisprudence examination fee to access the exam.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/examinations/jurisprudence-examination - Application fee: $40
-
The applicant waits for eligibility notice, arranges the exam date, pays the exam fees, writes the exam and waits for results.
Source
“1. Wait for CNO to notify you that you are eligible to write the exam. 2. Follow CNO’s instructions to arrange your examination date with the exam provider. 3. Pay the exam fees. 4. Write the exam. 5. Wait for CNO to notify you of your results.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/registration-exami... -
Applicants registered in another Canadian jurisdiction meet the transition to practice requirement through their current Canadian registration.
Source
“Applicants registered to practice in another Canadian jurisdiction will meet the requirement through their current Canadian registration.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/transition-to-prac...
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $40
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $40 | 100% |
| One-time total | $40 | 100% |
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 6 done
- Listed one-time fees: $40
- 5 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 1 month (only 1 of 6 steps state a time)
-
Applicants who have not completed CNO-approved or recognized nursing education must complete education that meets CNO's requirements.
Source
“You will need to complete education that meets CNO’s requirements of an RN, RPN or NP. You can find CNO-approved nursing education programs in Ontario on our website.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/become-a-nurse -
The applicant begins their application through CNO's online portal.
Source
“Learn about the application process, which uses our online portal, Maintain Your Membership.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/become-a-nurse -
The applicant passes one of the language proficiency tests approved by CNO and has the results sent directly to CNO.
Source
“Passing one of the language proficiency tests approved by CNO | Tests results must be sent directly from the test centre or language proficiency organization to CNO”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/proficiency-in-eng... -
- Application fee: $40
Source
“There is a fee of $40 plus applicable taxes ($42 in 2027) to write the jurisprudence examination.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/examinations/jurisprudence-examination
Time: 30 daysTime source
“You have 30 days from the date your exam payment is processed to take your jurisprudence examination.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/examinations/jurisprudence-examinationSource
“Once you have submitted your CNO application online and paid the application fee, you will receive a message in your Maintain Your Membership (MYM) applicant portal informing you to pay the jurisprudence examination fee to access the exam.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/examinations/jurisprudence-examination - Application fee: $40
-
The applicant waits for eligibility notice, arranges the exam date, pays the exam fees, writes the exam and waits for results.
Source
“1. Wait for CNO to notify you that you are eligible to write the exam. 2. Follow CNO’s instructions to arrange your examination date with the exam provider. 3. Pay the exam fees. 4. Write the exam. 5. Wait for CNO to notify you of your results.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/registration-exami... -
Internationally educated applicants meet the transition to practice requirement by completing a TTP course.
Source
“Internationally educated applicants will meet the requirement by completing a TTP course.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/transition-to-prac...
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $40
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $40 | 100% |
| One-time total | $40 | 100% |
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
Applicants must have completed CNO-approved or recognized nursing education meeting CNO's requirements for an NP.
Source
“You will need to complete education that meets CNO’s requirements of an RN, RPN or NP.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/become-a-nurse
Experience
NP applicants must demonstrate evidence of practice as an NP, either by meeting the educational requirement or by practicing in a clinical NP role.
Source
“NP applicants must meet the same evidence of practice requirement as other applicants, with one exception: they must demonstrate evidence of practice as an NP.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/evidence-of-practice
Other
Applicants must provide proof of immigration or authorization to practice nursing in Ontario, or register with a condition that they cannot practice until they provide it.
Source
“CNO will leave your application open until you provide the required proof of immigration or authorization to practice nursing in Ontario.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/authorization-to-workAll applicants must meet the transition to practice requirement.
Source
“All applicants to CNO must meet the requirement.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/transition-to-prac...Applicants must pass a language proficiency test approved by CNO, achieving the minimum benchmark scores for all components in one complete attempt.
Source
“Applicants must achieve the minimum benchmark scores for all of the components of the test during one complete attempt of the test.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/proficiency-in-eng...
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages state that labour mobility applicants currently registered in another Canadian province are not required to meet the evidence of practice requirement as of January 1, 2026, but do not state whether they can register without retaking the entry-to-practice exam or a competence assessment. Source
“As of January 1, 2026, a labour mobility applicant who is currently registered as a practicing nurse in another Canadian province and intends to get an equivalent practicing nursing certificate of registration with CNO is not required to meet the EOP requirement for registration.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/evidence-of-practice
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Nurses of Ontario
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Nurses of Ontario
Exams
-
Registered Nurse (Extended Class) [RN(EC)] Jurisprudence Examination
Source
“If you are applying to register as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), you must pass the *Registered Nurse (Extended Class) \[RN(EC)] Jurisprudence Examination*.”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/examinations/jurisprudence-examination
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with College of Nurses of Ontario
Exemptions: Applicants holding current or past registration as a practicing nurse within the past two years with CNO or another Canadian jurisdiction can demonstrate language proficiency through registration. Source
“Holding current registration or having previously held registration as a practicing nurse within the past two years with CNO or in another Canadian jurisdiction (as a Registered Nurse, Licensed/Registered Practical Nurse or Nurse Practitioner)”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/proficiency-in-eng...
Canadian experience
Nursing work outside Ontario can count as evidence of practice if attained through paid nursing employment or other paid nursing roles rather than volunteer practice. Source
“Nursing work outside Ontario can be considered nursing practice that meets the requirement, however, it must be attained through paid nursing employment or other paid nursing roles rather than volunteer practice”
cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/evidence-of-practice
Supervised practice
Not required
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $40.00 | $62.00 | $75.00 | Very good (5 of 5) |
| Canada | $42.00 | $61.54 | $75.00 | — |
Nurse practitioners in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick 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
- Become a Nurse cno.org/become-a-nurse/become-a-nurse · fetched October 8, 2026
- Jurisprudence Examination cno.org/become-a-nurse/examinations/jurisprudence-examination · fetched October 8, 2026
- Registration Examination cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/registration-exami... · fetched October 8, 2026
- Transition to Practice cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/transition-to-prac... · fetched October 8, 2026
- Proficiency in English or French cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/proficiency-in-eng... · fetched October 8, 2026
- Evidence of Practice cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/evidence-of-practice · fetched October 8, 2026
- Authorization to Work cno.org/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/authorization-to-work · fetched October 8, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a nurse practitioner in Ontario?
Yes. Registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario is required to practise in Ontario, and to use the title Nurse Practitioner (NP).
Which exams are required?
Registered Nurse (Extended Class) [RN(EC)] Jurisprudence Examination.
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