Applicants from the United States

• Evidence shows that nursing education and practice in the US is largely comparable to NP practice in Canada.
• Common systems (NURSYS) enable more efficient confirmation of registration history.
• US and Canadian jurisdictions both use the same regulatory exams for NPs.  
  

Eligibility​​

• Establish eligibility for RN registration with BCCNM. You can submit your RN and NP applications at the same time.
• Be educated and registered in the adult, family or pediatric streams of practice.
• Have completed a Master's level nursing education program.
• Demonstrate that your Master's education and expecations for NP practice in your international jurisdiction are substantially equivalent to the Entry Level Competencies for NPs in Canada.
• Have successfully completed a recognized written examination​.
  
• Have completed your education and/or have practised at least 900 hours as an NP in the last three years.

How to apply

​1. Apply for RN registration

Applicants must qualify for RN registration with BCCNM before they can be considered for NP registration. US applicants do not need to apply to Inspire Global Assessments. Please follow the instructions below:

• Create a BCCNM account​
• Sign into your BCCNM account and apply for RN practising registration. You'll be asked to consent to a criminal record check, provide evidence of identity, fitness to practice, and character, and provide details of your nursing education and applications for registration in Canada or internationally.
• You can submit your application for NP registration while your RN application is being processed.

2. Apply for NP registration

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

3. ​Pay your NP application fee

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

4. Confirmation of identify, employment, and registration

We will review your identification documents and confirm your registration history through NURSYS. We will also need your most recent employer(s) to confirm information about your practice. Registration Services will provide instructions and forms to send to employers. Forms must be sent to BCCNM directly from the employer.

​5. Practising registration + fees 

If you meet all requirements, you will be eligible for practising registration.  We will send you instructions to pay your registration fee. You are not authorized to practice as a nurse until you are listed in the online directory.

​​6. ​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​.​