Internationally educated NPs

What you need to know ​​

Immigration

We strongly recommend that you have the permits required to legally work in Canada before you apply to BCCNM to avoid delays in processing your application. Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website or the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program ​for more information.  

​​​Application fees ​

• BCCNM fees
• Inspire fees​
  

How to apply

1. Confirm eligibility to apply

Review the "who should apply" section above and confirm you are eligible to apply.

2. Apply for RN licensure

Applicants must qualify for RN licensure with BCCNM before they can be considered for NP licensure. 

• Apply​
• You can submit your application for NP registration while your RN application is being processed.

3. Apply for NP licensure

• Complete the Application for NP registration (internationally educated).
  
• You'll be asked to provide details about your NP education program, and licensing exam taken (if applicable).
• Submit your application and all supporting documents to register@bccnm.ca.

​4. ​Pay your NP application fee

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

5. Licensing exam results

• We need a copy of your successful exam result. Please request that the Certification Board or nursing regulator in the province where you took the exam send your exam result directly to BCCNM at exams@bccnm.ca.
  

6. Practising licence + fees

If you meet the requirements, you will be eligible for practising NP registration.

• If you have provisional registration, your registration will automatically update in the online directory​ and limits and conditions on your practice will be removed.
• If you do not have provisional registration, you will be sent 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 BCCNM's online directory​.​

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

• Nursing scope and standards are slightly different in every Canadian jurisdiction. Please familiarize yourself with the Ethics Standar​ds and Practice Standards to ensure you understand the expectations related NP practice is B.C.
• 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.

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.

​Equivalency determination

• An equivalency determination considers whether an applicant has the knowledge, skills, abilities and judgement substantially equivalent to what is expected of a graduate of a BCCNM-recognized nursing education program​.
• BCCNM will review competency assessment report, education, identity, language proficiency, licensing history, and practice experience holistically to determine whether the applicant meets the substantial equivalency eligibility standard.
• The applicant will be notified of the outcome of the equivalency determination and, if their education and practice are not considered substantially equivalent, transitional education or experience will be identified to address any deficiencies or gaps.​
• Under the Health Professions and Occupations Act, applicants may be eligible to apply for a reconsideration ​of a BCCNM equivalency determination.​
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