Skip to main content

 Renewal - General

When is the registration renewal period for LPNs?

​​​Registration renewal opens on Feb. 1

Registration renewal closes on March 31 at 4:30 p.m. (except if March 31 lands on the weekend. In that case, the renewal deadline is 4:30 p.m. on the last weekday of the month). 

  • You must submit your annual registration renewal application and pay outstanding​ fees by the deadline. 

  • Your application will be considered incomplete if we have not received the application and/or the required fees. 

  • ​​Incomplete applications are cancelled when the deadline passes.​

What happens if I do not renew or forget to renew my practising registration before it expires?
  • ​If you do not renew by the deadline, your registration will expire, and you will no longer be a registrant of BCCNM. 

  • You must not practise as a nurse or use the title of "nurse,"  "licensed practical nurse"​ or "LPN" unless you hold practising registration.

  • To regain your registration status, you will need to apply to reinstate your registration and pay the reinstatement fee, in addition to paying your registration fees. 

What happens if I work in BC without practising registration?

To practise as a nursing professional in B.C., you must hold current practising registration with BCCNM. If you practise without practising registration, even accidentally, you are in breach of the Health Professions Act. Your application for reinstatement of practising registration may require review by the BCCNM Registration Committee. You're also taking a risk that can impact you professionally and financially:

  • You aren't covered by liability insurance. If you practise without protection, you are opening yourself up to personal financial risk if there is a lawsuit stemming from your nursing practice during that period.

  • Additional fees. If you practise without registration, you'll have to pay an unregistered practice surcharge, in addition to your registration and change status fees. Read more about fees.

Learn more about the risks of unregistered practice​
What can I use my BCCNM account for?

​Your BCCNM account can be used for the following:

  • Access to registration applications and renewal

  • Access to your quality assurance information

  • Update your contact information (address, phone #, and email address)

  • Update or add new employer information

  • View or print your annual renewal tax receipt

  • Pay outstanding fees

I'll be away during the renewal period. How do I renew?
  • ​The registration renewal application is 100% online so you can renew from anywhere with an internet connection. If your accommodations don't have internet service, try an internet cafe or library. 

  • It is crucial to renew before the renewal deadline so that your registration doesn't expire.

When should I renew to ensure my application gets processed in time?

​We recommend you complete your renewal application by Feb. 28 to ensure your application can be assessed and approved prior to the March 31 deadline. 

 Passwords and technical assistance

I have more than one email address. Which one do I use to verify my account?

​Use the email address where you receive BCCNM's newsletter. If you do not receive the newsletter, email the registration team​. After we verify your identity, we can confirm the email address on your account. If your email address has changed, you can still sign in with the old email address and your BCCNM password. Then select to update your contact information and change to your new email address.

I can't remember my registration number — how can I find out what it is?

Log in to "My Account" using the email address and password you used to renew your registration.

What do I do if I get this message when I try to log in to my account: "The email or password you entered may not be correct or you do not have an account"?

This message will appear for one or more of the following reasons:

  • You haven't created your account

  • The email address you have entered is different from the address in your BCCNM record

  • The password you entered does not match the one you created. Remember that one of the characters must be a capital letter. If you cannot remember your password, click on "Forgot my password" and follow the steps to reset it.

I forgot my password. How do I reset it?
  • Visit the BCCNM sign in page​ and click “reset my password through email.” You’ll need your BCCNM ID and personal security word to complete the process.

  • Please click on the link only once! It may take a few moments for the email to reach your inbox. ​

 Renewal requirements

How many hours do I have to work each year to keep my LPN registration?
  • LPNs will need to work a minimum of 1,125 hours over five years to renew their practising registration. 

  • Learn more about the practice hours requirement and your options if you do not have enough hours to renew your practising registration.

  • There is no minimum number of hours on a per-year basis. If you were employed but did not work, enter 0 hours. 

I have provisional registration. Do I need to renew?
  • ​If you intend to continue practising after March 31, yes. 

  • ​If you do not plan to continue practising on or after April 1, you do not need to renew and your registration will expire.

I hold registration in more than one nursing designation. Do I have to renew and pay fees for both designations?
  • ​​Yes. You will still need to complete a renewal application for each registration you want to maintain. We’re working on making this easier for you, but our current system still processes each application separately.

  • ​To learn more, visit the renewal for dual registrants page​.

 Fees and payment options

What payment options are available?

BCCNM accepts the following methods of payment:​

I don't have/want to use a credit card to pay for my renewal. What are my options?

If you do not have or do not wish to use a credit card for payment, we also accept INTERAC Online or debit. 

If neither of those options work, we recommend you buy a prepaid credit card and use it to pay your fee. A few things to keep in mind:

  • Check your total balance owing before buying the card

  • The pre-paid card must have a balance that can pay the entire fee. Multiple cards cannot be used. 

  • The pre-paid card must be from American Express, VISA and MasterCard. ​

If you do not want to use a credit card, the pre-authorized payment (PAP) program​ may be a good option for you for future renewals. 

Are there measures in place to ensure that payments made over the website are secure?

​​Yes. BCCNM does not retain any personal banking information transmitted over the Internet. The information is retained by Moneris, which is the largest processor of transactions in Canada. Moneris also has enhanced security mechanisms to ensure the security of financial information.​

How do I get a tax receipt for my registration renewal fees?

​Tax receipts are available in early January. Eligible fees paid between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of one year will be on the tax receipt for the next immediate year. You can access your tax receipt by logging in to your BCCNM acc​ount​ in January. 

Why don't you accept cash?
  • ​Even though cash is legal currency, it is not mandatory for Canadian businesses to accept it. 

  • The Canadian government no longer accepts payments other than credit card for items such as passports. Airlines only accept credit card payment as well. ​