What certification is
Certification confirms you've completed BCCNM-recognized education and met program requirements so you can practise in a specific certification program area.
You can
apply for certification if you meet the requirements for the certification program(s) you're seeking (including completing BCCNM-recognized certified practice courses and any other BCCNM requirements).
Key standards
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Certified Registered Nurses: RN First Call
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Certified Registered Nurses: Remote Practice
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Certified Registered Nurses: Reproductive Health
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Certified Registered Nurses: Opioid Use Disorder
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Certified Registered Nurse: Prescribing
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Nurses: Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-racism
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Nurses: Medication
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Nurses: Use of Title
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Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses: Screening and Diagnostic Tests & Imaging
What RN(C) means in practice
As an RN, you can make nursing diagnoses and treat within your autonomous scope of practice and your own competence.
If you hold certification, you may also diagnose and treat the specific diseases, disorders, or conditions covered by your certification program—but only within that program's practice standard(s) and decision support tool(s) (DSTs).
Certified RNs use the title: Registered Nurse (Certified) or RN(C)
Before you act: check the controls on practice
When you practise as an RN(C), make sure all four controls on practice are met:
- Legislation and regulation allow it
- BCCNM certification program standard(s)/limits/conditions and DST(s) authorize it
- Your employer supports it (policies, resources, processes)
- You have the competence to do it safely today
Read more about the
controls on practice»
Prescribing
Prescribing is only within scope for RNs who:
- hold current certification in a relevant certification program,
- meet BCCNM prescriber requirements, including prescribing courses, and
- prescribe only when meeting the applicable practice standards/limits/conditions and certification-specific DST(s) and any limits/conditions.
More information on prescribing»
Important
You must maintain certification by meeting BCCNM licensing and Quality Assurance requirements annually. If your certification isn't current, you can't use the RN(C) title or practise as certified.
FAQs
- Is certification program-specific?
Yes. Certification is specific to the certification program(s) you hold.
Being certified in one program does not mean you're certified in another. (Example: Remote Practice certification does not automatically mean you are certified in Reproductive Health). Practise only within the practice standard(s)/limits/conditions and DST(s) for the certification program(s) you currently hold.
- When can I use the title RN(C)?
You may use Registered Nurse (Certified) or RN(C) only when you hold current BCCNM certification.
If you do not hold current certification, use Registered Nurse or RN.
- I took a certified practice course. Does that mean I'm certified?
No. Completing a BCCNM-recognized course is just one requirement. You must apply for and be granted Certification. You're certified only when you hold current BCCNM certification in a program (and you may use RN(C) only then).
- Does certification from another organization or school count as BCCNM certification?
No. Certifications from other organizations, employers, or schools are not the same as BCCNM certification. They do not authorize you to practise within a BCCNM certification program or to use the RN(C) title.
Resources
BCCNM resources
External resources
Certification decision support tools
Need help or support?
For further guidance on understanding and applying the standards of practice, contact our team by completing the Standards Support intake form.