Canadian NPs

How to apply

​1. Apply for NP licensure

• Create a BCCNM account​ (if you haven't already)
• Complete the Application for NP licensure (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 licensures

We need to confirm any employment and licensures 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 licensure + fees

• If you meet the requirements, you will be eligible for practising NP licensure. 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 licensure. Once granted, your NP license will appear in the BCCNM online directory​.​

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

NP scope and 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.:

Practice and Ethics 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.

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

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

​Good character​

Good character refers to having the qualities and traits relevant to nursing, such as:

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

To determine if you meet the Good Character eligibility standard, the information we consider includes:

• the completeness, correctness, and accuracy of the information you provided on the application form or in any communication with BCCNM;
• past or current regulatory investigations and outcomes;
• outstanding criminal charges, convictions for crimes, and other breaches of laws;
• past or current workplace investigations;
• concerns raised from educational institutions;
• any history of unethical or dishonest behaviour;
• disrespectful conduct when engaging with BCCNM;
• your explanation, and context, for past events;
• steps taken to rehabilitate after past actions and/or misconduct;
• character and employment references; and
• reflections and insights demonstrating an appreciation of the problematic nature and harms caused by past actions and/or misconduct.​
  

Capacity to practice

Capacity is having the competence to practice without undue impairments by a health condition.

If you have disclosed, or other information indicates you have, a health condition that may currently impair your ability to practice competently, the information we consider includes:

• complaints, in any jurisdiction, related to your competence and/or capacity;
• past or current regulatory investigations and outcomes;
• outstanding criminal charges, convictions for crimes, and other breaches of laws;
• past or current workplace investigations;
• concerns raised by education institutions;
• substantial breaks in practice;
• self-disclosure of a current, or recently manifested, physical or mental ailment, an addiction to alcohol or drugs, or problematic substance use, that may impair your physical, mental, or emotional ability or capacity, to practise;
• your explanation, and context, for a past event;
• information from treating physician(s), specialist(s), or other healthcare provider, who can provide an opinion as to your current health status, it's potential to impair competence to practice, any recommendations for safe entrance into the profession, (we only request this information in certain circumstances);
• supports and/or strategies you have in place; and
• reference letters.​
  

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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