To be eligible for registration as a registered psychiatric nurse, applicants must pass the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE). The RPNCE is a multiple-choice, computer-based exam that consists of 200 questions that will test the exam writer’s understanding of entry-level competencies for registered psychiatric nurses. The examination is offered over a five-day period in January, May and October.
Who needs to take the RPNCE
- You must take the RPNCE if:
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- You are a new graduate of a B.C. registered psychiatric nursing program who wants to practice in B.C.
- You are a new graduate of a registered psychiatric nursing program elsewhere in Canada who has never held practising registration, and want to practice in B.C.
- You are in internationally educated nurse who has never held practising registration in Canada and want to practice as an RPN in B.C.
- If directed by the Registration Committee or the Deputy Registrar of Registration, after considering the length of time since you first passed the exam and your practice experience.
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- You do not need to take the RPNCE if:
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- You are currently registered as a registered psychiatric nurse (or equivalent) in another Canadian province and want to practice in B.C. Learn how to apply.
How to apply
- 1. Apply for registration with BCCNM (and accommodations if required)
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To apply to write the exam, you will need to
apply for registration with BCCNM. . Please ensure you have reviewed the Exam dates and deadlines below in order to apply in time for the exam window you intend to register for.
Accommodation requests. You can indicate if you have an accommodation request for writing the exam on the RPN practising registration application. If you need to request an accommodation, see the application deadlines below.
Learn more about exam accommodations.
- 2. Receive Confirmation of your RPNCE Dates from BCCNM
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Upon completion of your application review, you will receive an email confirming the exam window you will be registered for. Please read that email carefully for important information related to program completion deadlines (for B.C. graduates) and withdrawal deadlines. If you have not received an exam date confirmation email from BCCNM by the application deadline date stated below, you are not registered for that exam window. Please email
exams@bccnm.ca by the application date to request registration for the RPNCE date. Late applications cannot be accepted.
- 3. Pay for the exam and select preferred writing location
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Seven weeks before the exam, Meazure Learning will send you an email with instructions to register and pay for the exam, and select your preferred exam location from a pre-determined list.
IMPORTANT: You will have seven days to purchase your exam. If you do not purchase the exam within this window, you will not be able to write the exam and will have to wait until the next sitting. To be sure you receive this email, put
testingsupport@meazurelearning.com in your email contacts list.
- 4. Wait for your exam booking confirmation
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Four weeks prior to the exam date, Meazure Learning will send you a confirmation email with your exam date, location, exam and venue rules, and confirmation of accommodations (if applicable). Follow the instructions in this email closely.
Fees
The fee to write the RPNCE is $695+tax per attempt. This fees is paid to the exam provider, Meazure Learning, when you register for the exam. This amount does not include
BCCNM application and registration fees.
Exam dates and deadlines
DEADLINES
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JAN. 22 – 29, 2025 EXAM
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MAY 14 – 21, 2025 EXAM
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OCT. 16 – 22, 2025 EXAM
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Apply for accommodation
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Oct. 30, 2024
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Feb. 19, 2025
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July 23, 2025
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Apply for registration/exam
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Nov. 25, 2024
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Mar. 17, 2025
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Aug. 18, 2025
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Exam fee payment to Meazure Learning
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Dec. 6 – 16, 2024
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Mar. 28
– Apr. 7, 2025
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Sept. 1 – Sept. 9, 2025
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Program completion deadline (B.C. grads)
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Jan. 6, 2025
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Apr. 28, 2025
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Sept. 30, 2025
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Withdraw without charge
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Jan. 7, 2025
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Apr. 29, 2025
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Oct. 1, 2025
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Exam scheduling and locations
When you pay the exam fee to Meazure Learning, you will select your preferred writing location in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba from a pre-determined list. While efforts will be made to schedule exam writers in their preferred writing location, venues are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. If your preferred location is not available, Meazure Learning will work with you to determine an appropriate location.
Four weeks before the exam you will receive a confirmation email from Meazure Learning providing your exam date, location and the information you need for exam day.
Once your exam date and location has been booked it cannot be changed.
Preparing for the RPNCE
The following materials are available to help you prepare for the RPNCE. If the information you're looking for isn't included in the materials below, check the
RPNCE frequently asked questions.
- Exam Blueprint
- The
RPNCE Blueprint provides a summary of the content covered in the exam and what kind of questions exam writers can expect.
- Study Guide
- The
RPNCE Study Guide assists exam writers by providing information about the RPNCE, test taking and study strategies, and a bibliography of study resources.
- Practice Test
- An
online practice test is available for purchase. The test includes 100 questions similar to those asked on the RPNCE. For each question, rationales are provided for correct and incorrect answers. After the test is completed, you will be sent an examination review report that includes a summary of performance.
- A note about third-party prep materials
- We are aware that some third-party prep materials are available. While it is your choice to determine if you will find these materials useful, here is what you need to know:
- BCCNM does not review third-party prep courses and cannot endorse them.
- No third-party has access to the RPNCE questions. Be wary of any resource claiming to have access.
Exam results
BCCNM will notify you of your exam result approximately four weeks after your exam date.
- If you pass
- When we notify you of your exam result, we will inform you of any remaining requirements for registration. If you have met all requirements and have provisional registration, your registration will automatically be converted to practising registered psychiatric nurse registration. If you do not have provisional registration, you'll be provided information by email about how to complete your registration.
- If you fail
- You will be sent a performance summary. If you have provisional registration, you can continue practising if you fail the exam on your first attempt. If you fail the exam a second time, your provisional registration will expire four to six weeks after the notification of your second failure.
Learn more.
You can take the exam a maximum of three times within four years of graduation from an approved psychiatric nursing program (or for international applicants, within two years of approval to write the examination).
- Requesting a re-score
- You may apply to have your examination rescored up to 12 weeks after exam day. Contact BCCNM at
exams@bccnm.ca for details.