Skip to main content

Internationally-educated applicant


IMPORTANT: Scams targeting internationally educated nurse applicants   

BCCNM has become aware that internationally educated nurse applicants are being targeted by a scam. Agencies and/or individuals are charging applicants high fees to submit applications for registration for them. These agencies are not endorsed by BCCNM or Inspire Global Assessments (formerly NCAS)​ and should not be used by applicants.


Please read the information on this page carefully before starting your application. Questions? Visit the frequently asked questions page.      

Important information before you apply

Registration process costs
The majority of fees have either been waived due to government funding, or are available for reimbursement through the Internationally ​Educated Nurse Bursary Program.

Costs of applying for registration in B.C
 Fees
Inspire Global Assessments (formerly NCAS) application
 Free
Credential assessment
 $120-$650
Eligible for reimbursement through IEN  Bursary Program
English language proficiency (if needed)
 $300-$395
Eligible for reimbursement through IEN  Bursary Program
Inspire (formerly NCAS) competency assessment
 Free
for applicants enrolled in the IEN Bursary Program

Or

$3000
BCCNM registration application
 Free
Transitional education (if needed)
 Variable
Eligible for reimbursement through IEN  Bursary Program
Registration exam 
 $695+GST
BCCNM practising registration
 $600.24
Professional liability protection
 $119.69 or $92.40
Learn more​
​Funding and other support available for internationally educated nurses
The Government of B.C. has funding and other supports available to help you become a nurse in British Columbia, including:

​Nursing professions in British Columbia
The health care system in British Columbia is supported by a number of different nursing professions: licensed practical nurses (LPNs), nurse practitioners (NPs), registered nurses (RNs) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs). Learn more about the types of nurses and the roles of each nursing profession.

How to apply

1. Apply to Inspire Global Assessments (formerly NCAS)
Visit www.inspireassessments.org to get your application started. Inspire will confirm your identity and evaluate:

  • English language proficiency
  • Educational credentials; and
  • Nursing skills and knowledge through a competency assessment (if required)
Once you have your application with Inspire underway, come back to BCCNM and start an application with us.
We recommend that you work toward completing the requirements for your NCAS and BCCNM applications at the same time to ensure you can move through the registration process as quickly as possible.
​2. Apply to BCCNM
To apply to BCCNM, please send the following documents to IENap​plications@bccnm.ca​.

You will not be charged an application fee. The cost is being waived through funding from the Government of British Columbia.
3. Employment and registration history
After you have submitted your application, a member of the Registration Services team will review your documents. You will be sent a detailed email with instructions on how to request information from your previous nursing employers and regulatory bodies.
4. BCCNM registration decision
BCCNM will make a registration decision on your application once:

  • We have received all outstanding documents and form for our BCCNM application. 
  • BCCNM receives​ your Inspire Global Assessments (formerly NCAS) applicant package.
BCCNM Registration Services will assess your application and determine your eligibility for registration. If any competency gaps are identified during the assessment, additional registration requirements - typically additional education - will be noted in your registration letter.
5. Provisional registration and registration exam
Once you have completed your additional education requirements (if required), please contact BCCNM Registration Services at IENapplications@bccnm.ca​.

You will be eligible for provisional registration and will be given instructions on how to register for the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE).

If choose to hold provisional re​gistration​, 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. You can also check the online directory to make sure you are authorized to practice before you start working.
6. Practising registration granted
Once you have successfully completed the registration exam and any other requirements for registration, you will be granted practising RPN registration. You will appear in the onlin​e 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 provisional registration is granted. ​
​​​​

​​​​Assessing your application

When we assess your application for registration, we consider the following:

Nursing education
  • We review the NNAS advisory report, which provides information about the comparability of your nursing education to Canadian nursing education programs.
​Good character
Good character refers to a combination of personal qualities and traits, such as ​

  • moral or ethical strength
  • Integrity, candour, empathy and honesty
  • An appreciation of the difference between right and wrong
  • The moral fibre to do that which is right and not to do that which is wrong

When determining whether you are of good character, we review:

  • The circumstances around any previous criminal charges and/or convictions, the results of your criminal record check, and any other information you wish to have considered related to the same, if applicable.
  • The completeness, correctness, and accuracy of the information you provided on the application form or in any communication with BCCNM.
  • Current or previous regulatory history, including any past investigation, resolution, and/or discipline.
  • Information related to current and/or previous employment.
  • Information from an educational institution, if applicable.
  • Any history of unethical or dishonest behaviour
  • A self-reflection of the circumstances, learnings, and growth since the events, or actions taken, that indicate a possible lack of good character.
Fitness to practice nursing
Fitness to practice refers to the absence of any physical or mental ailment, emotional disturbance, or addiction that may impair your ability to practise. When determining whether you are fit to engage in nursing practice, we review:​​
​
  • Self-disclosure of a physical or mental ailment, an emotional disturbance, or an addiction that could impair your ability to practise.
  • Information from previous employer(s).
  • Information regarding any previous registration cancellation or voluntary relinquishment of registration.
  • Any current or past regulatory investigations.
  • Information regarding any current or previous limits and/or conditions placed on your practice.
  • Information from treating physician(s) or specialist(s) who can provide an opinion as to your current health status, any recommendations for safe entrance into the profession, and your fitness to practise nursing (we only request this information in certain circumstances).
Competence
When determining whether you are competent to practise as a nurse in B.C., we review:

  • All relevant nursing practice experience
  • Results of the NCAS assessment report​​
  • Any other experience working in the Canadian health care system
  • Continuing education in nursing
  • Consolidation of knowledge
  • Any periods of non-practice
English language proficiency
If English is not the primary language you use for reading, writing, listening, and speaking, you will be required to demonstrate your English language proficiency. If there is any indication during the assessment of your application your proficiency is not conducive to safe practice, we may require an English language test. When assessing your English language proficiency, BCCNM reviews:

  • Your first language.
  • Language test results (if taken).
  • ​Information from your nursing education institution.
  • Information from your employer(s).
  • Additional evidence of English proficiency (i.e. references from regulated health professionals)
​