​If you completed your nursing education in a country other than Canada and would like to hold nursing registration in British Columbia, you must apply as an internationally educated nurse (IEN). Before applying for registration with BCCNM, you must first apply to theNational Nursing Assessment Service​ (NNAS).

How to apply

​1.​ Apply to NNAS​​​

• Before applying to BCCNM, you must apply to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS).
• NNAS will verify your identity and nursing education documents, and evaluate your education based on Canadian standards and compared to current Canadian nursing requirements.
• NN​AS will present their finding in an advisory report. When you receive this report, you can apply to BCCNM.

2. Apply for BCCNM registration

• Create a BCCNM account​.
• Sign in to your BCCNM account​​ and submit an application for practising registration.
• You will be asked if you would like to be considered for provisional registration on the application.
• After submitting the application, you'll be asked to pay the application fee.

3. English language proficiency

• BCCNM will assess your language proficiency​.
• If you did not complete an approved English language test during the NNAS application process, you may be required to take a language test and submit the results before you move forward in the application process.
• We may request additional information to determine if your application satisfactorily demonstrates your English language proficiency.

4. Competency assessment

• After reviewing your application​, we will determine if you need to complete a competency assessment, offered through the Nursing Community Assessment Service (NCAS).
• The competency assessment evaluates your nursing skills against the competencies that nurses are required to possess for safe nursing practice in Canada.
• The assessment includes a computer-based test and a simulation lab assessment.
• Once completed, BCCNM will use the NCAS assessment report and other components of your application to assess your eligibility for registration. If any knowledge gaps are identified during the assessment, we will tailor a transitional education pathway for you to move forward in the application process.

5. Registration exam and provisional registration​

• ​​Once you have met all the requirements above, we will send you information about your remaining registration requirements. This will include instructions on how to register for the RPNCE​, the RPN registration exam.
• If you requested to be considered for provisional registration and it is granted, we will send you another email with instructions on how to pay your registration fee through your BCCNM account. You will appear in the online directory once you are authorized to practice.
• Please note: you cannot legally practise until you have received an email from BCCNM confirming your provisional registration is granted.

​6. Practising registration

• Once you have successfully completed the RPNCE and any other requirements for registration, you will be sent instructions on how to pay your practising registration fee​ (if you do not already hold provisional registration). You will appear in the online directory once you are authorized to practice.
• If you held provisional registration, your status will automatically be updated to practising registration once you have met all registration requirements.
• Please note: You cannot legally practise until you have received an email from BCCNM confirming your practising registration is granted.​​
  ​
  

When determining whether you are competent to practise as a nurse in B.C., we review:

• All relevant nursing practice experience to determine your knowledge, skills, attitudes, critical thinking, and clinical judgement.
• Results of the NCAS assessment report (if taken).​​​​
  ​