The Nurse Practitioner Regulation Framework Implementation Plan Project​ (NPR-FIPP) is a multi-year, multi-faceted initiative commissioned by the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators​ (CCRNR) to enhance labour mobility, increase consistency, and enable to right level of regulation of NPs nationally in the public interest.

The NPR-FIPP will implement the recommendations endorsed by CCRNR regarding the following six basic elements of a Model for Nurse Practitioner Regulation in Canada​:

1. Entry-level education programs: Formal graduate level programs in nursing that prepares RNs to meet NP entry-level competencies across the life span and diverse practice settings.
2. Entry-level examination: One national entry-level examination for all NPs across the country.
3. Standards of Practice: Common NP standards of practice.
4. Continuing competence: Common principles.
   
5. Registration/renewal: One NP registration category based on entry-level competencies.
6. Re-entry to practice: C​ommon principles.​​​
   
   

Project news and announcements 

​​News archive: 2020-23

2023

• NPR-FIPP Project Summary​​​
  Dec. 5, 2023​​​
• CCRNR Project News #9: ​A question and answer update on the NP Regulation Framework Implementation Plan Project​​​
  May 1, 2023​​​

2022

• CCRNR Project News #8: ​NP entry-level competencies moved forward for jurisdictional approval​​
  November 10, 2022​​​
• CCRNR Project News #7: ​Get ready to comment on NP Entry Level Competencies​
  June 13, 2022​​​
• CCRNR Project News #6: ​Entry Level Competencies consultations​
  May 3, 2022​​​
• ​CCRNR Project News #5: Spotlight on Entry Level Competencies
  March 2022
• CCRNR Project News #4: Creating foundations for implementation
  February 2022​​​

2021

• ​CCRNR Project News #3: Upcoming project activities​
  January 2021

2020

• CCRNR Project News #2: NPR-FIPP plans for the fall
  October 2020
• CCRNR Project News #1: What is NPR-FIPP? 
  June 2020​

Frequently asked questions

How will NP regulation be different in the future? 

• There will be one NP registration category based on NP entry level competencies
• There will be one national entry-level exam for all NP applicants across Canada
• There will be greater consistency in how NPs are regulated across jurisdictions
• ​NP specialty practice will not be regulated by nursing regulatory colleges​

I'm currently registered as an NP in a specialized category. Will I have to retrain/re-register?

No. The registration or licensure status of nurses who are already licensed or registered as nurse practitioners will not be affected. Mechanisms to transition existing NPs to the new regulatory model have not yet been identified.

Will the OSCE still be required for entrance to practice in B.C.?

One of the drivers for the NPR-FIPP is to reduce unnecessary barriers and advance labour mobility across Canada. A project outcome to enable this is one entry-level exam for all NP applicants across the country. BCCNM is reviewing the OSCE requirement in light of this work and will provide more information as it becomes available. Visit CCRNR's website for updates on the development of the new NP exam.

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