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How to apply

Applications for initial nurse practitioner registration in British Columbia

​​Initial applications

To practise as a nurse practitioner in British Columbia, a nurse practitioner must be registered with BCCNM. The College registers nurse practitioners in one of three streams of practice:

  • Adult
  • Family
  • Pediatric

Requirements

All applicants are required​ to complete:

  1. A written examination, and
  2. An objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in the appropriate stream of practice: family, adult or pediatric.​
  • See Exams​ for more information on examination requirements. 

The application process you follow is determined by where you received your nursing education and whether you have been registered as an NP in another jurisdiction​. Note: These applications are for first-time applicants only. If you have previously held nurse practitioner (NP) registration in British Columbia, learn how to reinstate your registration​.

B.C. graduates

Apply as a B.C. graduate if you are graduating from a BCCNM-recognized nurse practitioner program in British Columbia.  In order to apply to sit the written and clinical registration exams you must submit an application for NP registration.

New graduates of a Canadian NP program

Apply as a new graduate of a Canadian NP program if you have recently or will soon be  graduating from an NP program in another Canadian province and you are not registered as an NP in that province. All applicants must complete a recognized written exam and the clinical exam​.

NPs registered in Canada

Apply as an NP registered in Canada if you are currently or have formerly been registered as an NP in another Canadian province. All applicants must complete a recognized written exam and the clinical exam.

NPs educated and registered outside Canada

Apply as an NP registered outside of B.C. if you were educated in another country and have never been registered as an NP in Canada. You must be educated and registered in the Family/All Ages or Pediatric or Adult NP category in order to apply for registration. Your education and experience will be assessed to determine equivalency to a Canadian NP program to be eligible for registration.  All applicants must complete a recognized written exam and the clinical exam.

Other applications

Certified practice 

To apply for a certified practice designation, applicants must already hold practising registered nurse (RN) or NP registration in British Columbia.

​Registration re​​sources

​Complex applications and Registration Committee

Some applications are complex and require review and decision by the Registration Committee.