Canadian NPs

How to apply

​1. Apply for NP registration

• Create a BCCNM account​ (if you haven't already)
• Complete the Application for NP registration (Canadian NP).
• Submit your application and all supporting documents to register@bccnm.ca.

2. ​Pay your NP application fee

Once you have submitted all required documents and information, we will send you instruction to pay your application fee.

3. Confirmation of employment and registration

We need to confirm any employment and registrations listed on your application. We will provide instructions and forms to send to employers and nurse regulators. Forms must be sent to BCCNM directly from the employer or regulator.

​4. Practising registration + fees

• If you meet the requirements, you will be eligible for practising NP registration. We will send you instructions to pay your registration fee​.
• You are not authorized to practice as a nurse practitioner in British Columbia until we send you an email confirming your registration. Once granted, your NP registration will appear in the BCCNM online directory​.​

​​5. ​Familiarize yourself with NP practice in British Columbia

NP Scope, Professional Standards, and Practice Standards are slightly different in every Canadian jurisdiction. Please familiarize yourself with the following to ensure you understand the expectations related NP practice is B.C.:

• Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners: Standards, Limits, Conditions.
  
• Practice Standards for nurse practitioners​. In particular, please ensure you review the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility and Anti-racism Practice Standard, which outlines how BCCNM registrants are to provide culturally safe and anti-racist care for Indigenous clients.
• Professional Standards for registered nurses and nurse practitioners​.

​​​​​​​​​​​​Assessing your application

When we assess your application for registration, we consider the following:

​Good character​

Good character refers to a combination of personal qualities and traits, such as: ​

• moral or ethical strength.
  
• Integrity, candour, empathy and honesty.
  
• An appreciation of the difference between right and wrong.
  
• The moral fibre to do that which is right and not to do that which is wrong.
  

We review:

• The circumstances around any previous criminal charges and/or convictions, the results of your criminal record check, and any other information you wish to have considered related to the same, if applicable.
• The completeness, correctness, and accuracy of the information you provided on the application form or in any communication with BCCNM.
  
• Current or previous regulatory history, including any past investigation, resolution, and/or discipline.
• Information related to current and/or previous employment.
• Any history of unethical or dishonest behaviour
  
• Information from an educational institution, if applicable. 
  
• A self-reflection of the circumstances, learnings, and growth since the events, or actions taken, that indicate a possible lack of good character.

Fitness to practice

Fitness to practice refers to the absence of any physical or mental ailment, emotional disturbance, or addiction that may impair your ability to practise. When determining whether you are fit to engage in nursing practice, we review:

• Self-disclosure of a physical or mental ailment, an emotional disturbance, or an addiction that could impair your ability to practise.
• Information from previous employer(s).
• Information regarding any previous registration cancellation or voluntary relinquishment of registration.
• Any current or past regulatory investigations.
• Information regarding any current or previous limits and/or conditions placed on your practice.
• Information from treating physician(s) or specialist(s) who can provide an opinion as to your current health status, any recommendations for safe entrance into the profession, and your fitness to practise nursing (we only request this information in certain circumstances).

Competence

You can demonstrate your competence by providing evidence of the following in the last three years:

• Practising at least 900 hours​ as an NP.
  
• Successful completion of a nursing education program recognized by BCCNM or another Canadian nursing regulatory body.

We may consider supplemental evidence should your currency of education and/or NP practice not be sufficient to meet the requirement.

​English language proficiency

You will meet the English language proficiency requirement​ through successful completion of your NP education program in English and/or your NP practise in English-speaking settings. If French was the language of instruction for your NP education, or language in your practice setting, we will require evidence of your English language proficiency, which can include:

• A reference from a nursing employer indicating your RN practice was predominantly in English-speaking settings and/or with English-speaking clients; or
• An approved English language proficiency test.​​​
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