The
Nurse Practitioner Regulation Framework project was launched by the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR) to make regulation of nurse practitioners more consistent across Canada. As a member of CCRNR, BCCNM has been participating in the project since 2019. BCCNM and other Canadian jurisdictions are in the process of implementing the new regulation framework.
What’s changing
- In 2026, Canadian NPs – except in Quebec – will be educated and licensed to practice across all client ages and all practice settings.
- Regulators will not display practice streams (i.e. adult, family, and pediatric), but all NPs will continue to practice within their own level of competence.
Our progress
The NP Regulation Framework implementation has several deliverables:
- General NP regulatory class - coming in 2026
- Jurisdictions are updating requirements and bylaws to recognize a general NP class, removing streams of practice (i.e. adult, family, and pediatric).
- New Canadian written exam - approved by BCCNM in September 2026
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- A new Canadian written licensing exam, the
Canadian Nurse Practitioner Licensure Exam (CNPLE) is available.
- The exam will evaluate a candidate’s readiness to practice safely, effectively, and ethically with all client ages and in all practice settings.
- Updated NP Entry Level Competencies - in effect since 2024
- NP Entry Level Competencies were revised to reflect all client ages and practice settings; they came into effect in January 2024.
Frequently asked questions
- I’m currently licensed in B.C.as an NP in a practice stream (adult, family or pediatric). Will I have to retrain?
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- No. The licensure of NPs will not be affected by these changes.
- NPs in the family stream are already trained to practice across all ages.
- NPs will continue to be responsible and accountable to practise within their own level of competence.
- How are NPs being prepared for practice across client lifespan and all practice settings?
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- What can employers expect from NPs entering practice after the new regulatory model is implemented?
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- Newly graduated NPs will have the entry-level foundational knowledge, skills and judgement to start their career in providing NP care across all client ages and in all practice settings.
- Employers may choose to develop practice-setting training or residencies to assist NPs. Leveraging these training opportunities is a great option for NPs who desire or are employed in practice settings that may benefit from specialized knowledge and skills when they begin working as NPs.
- Why was the OSCE discontinued?
- B.C. was the only nursing jurisdiction in Canada that requires successful completion of an OSCE – in addition to passing a written regulatory exam – before an applicant is eligible for practising NP licensure. Removing the OSCE requirement reflects the evolution of NP practice in Canada and will substantially reduce the cost and time to become registered as an NP in British Columbia.
Read our announcement to learn more.