BCCNM offers an expedited registration pathway for US registered nurses (RNs) because:
- Evidence shows that nursing education (basic and post-basic) and practice in the US is largely comparable to RN practice in Canada.
- Common systems (NURSYS) enable more efficient confirmation of licensing history.
- US and Canadian jurisdictions both use the same regulatory exam for RNs.
Important: Who should apply
- Eligibility for expedited application process
- To be eligible to apply through this expedited process,
you must:
- Hold current licensure to practise as an RN by a US licensing body; and
- Have recent practice experience as an RN in the United States.
If you
do not meet these requirements, please
apply through the regular internationally educated RN application process.
- Eligibility for RN licensure
- To ensure applicants can practise safely, competently, and ethically, all internationally educated nurses must demonstrate they have the knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgement expected of a graduate of a BCCNM-recognized education program. Applicants are more likely to be successful in their application if they:
- Completed their nursing education program within the last 10 years; and/or
- Practised consistently as a nurse in the last 10 years.
If you don't meet this criteria, you may want to consider completing a recognized re-entry, bridging, or other nursing education program and apply for licensure after you complete the program.
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
-
How to apply
- 1. Confirm eligibility to apply
- Review the "who should apply" section above and confirm you are eligible to apply under this expedited process.
- 2. Apply to BCCNM
- Create a
BCCNM account (if you haven't already) and apply for practising licensure.
- 3. Confirmation of identity, employment, and licensure
-
- We will review your identification documents and confirm your licensing history.
- We will also contact your current and former employers to confirm information about your practice. We will provide instructions and forms to send to employers.
Forms must be sent to BCCNM directly from the employer.
- 4. Practising licence + fees
-
- If you meet the requirements and eligibility standards, you will be eligible for practising RN licensure. We will send you instructions to select your start date and pay your licensing 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, you will appear in BCCNM's
online directory.
- 5. Familiarize yourself with RN practice in British Columbia
-
Assessing your application
- 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.