Leaving or returning to nursing practice

​​Understanding your options

Licensing status comparison

	Practising	Former licensee
2024-25 annual fee​	$781.10+other fees​	$0
Am I licensee of BCCNM?	Yes	No
Can I practise or volunteer as a nurse in B.C.?	Yes	No
Will I get communication from BCCNM?	Yes. You receive the licensee newsletter and any special bulletins.	No
Can I still call myself a nurse/RPN?	Yes. You can use:  Licensed psychiatric nurse RPN Psychiatric nurse Learn more​	No. You cannot use the title "nurse, registered psychiatric nurse," the abbreviation "RPN."
Can I be a member of a BCCNM committee?	Yes, if you are in good standing with the college (subject to specific committee composition requirements).	No​ ​ ​​ ​ ​​ ​

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​​​Leaving practice

​​Maintain your practising license

• If you are going on a short-term leave (i.e. within the licensing year, or a few months that straddles renewal cycles), you may wish to maintain your practising license.

Cancel/lapse and become a former licensee

• You may be eligible for a pro-rated refund on your practising license fees.
• As a former licensee you will no longer be a licensee of the college and cannot use a nursing title or call yourself a nurse. 
• See the licensing st​​atus comparison above for more information.​​​
  
  

If you are retiring, we thank you for your service and wish you all the best!​​
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Returning to practice

If you are a former BCCNM licensee, ​you must submit a reinstatement application to return to nursing practice. Please submit your reinstatement application at least eight weeks before your estimate​​d return to work date.

When to apply

To be eligible for licensure, applicants must be able to satisfy BCCNM they have the knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment expected of a graduate of a BCCNM-recognized education program. Applicants are unlikely to be able to meet this eligibility criteria if they have not:

• completed their nursing education program within the last 10 years; and/or
• had substantial practise experience as a nurse in the last 10 years.
  

If you don't meet this criteria, we strongly encourage you to complete a recognized re-entry, bridging, or other nursing education program before applying for licensure. 

How to apply

1. Compl​ete your application and pay fee

You must sign in to your BCCNM account​ to apply for reinstatement. Select "Apply" to start your application.

• You may be asked to consent to a criminal record check (CRC) as an updated CRC is required for any leave from practice longer than 60 days. Please note: Criminal record check results take a minimum of two weeks to be processed and your application cannot be assessed until the results are received. Please ensure you submit your application at least a month before your return to work date to allow for delays.
  

• You will pay a reinstatement application fee​ when your application is submitted. Reinstatement fees are non-refundable, so ensure you are ready to proceed before you pay.
  

• The licensing team will contact you if there are ​outstanding documents that BCCNM needs to proceed with your application.​
  

2. Prepare your documents

To avoid delays in processing your application, prepare the following documents before you start your application:

• Verification of license: Complete ver​​ification of license forms for all jurisdiction(s) you are/were licensed since you last held a practising license with us. This form must be received directly from that jurisdiction.
  

• Employment verification: Complete employment verification form(s) fo​r each of your nursing employers within the last five years. This form must be received directly from the employer.
  

3. BCCNM review

BCCNM Licensing Services will assess your application to determine whether you meet the requirements for reinstatement. The requirements for reinstatement include that you:

• Were in compliance with all Quality Assurance program requirements at the time you last held a practising lilcense
• Meet the practice hours requirement
• Have maintained your knowledge, skills and abilities as a registered psychiatric nurse, or have successfully completed an exam or upgrading of your knowledge, skills or abilities
• Have a satisfactory employment verification
• Are of good character, including passing the criminal record check​
• Are fit to practice, and
• Have paid any outstanding fines or fees
  

Note: If your license was cancelled or suspended following an inquiry or discipline committee decision or you have a criminal charge since you last held a practising license you will be asked to provide additional information and evidence. Please contact the licensing team for more information.

4. Application approved/pay licensing fees

If you meet the requirements for reinstatement, your application will be approved and you will be asked to pay your practising license fee and professional liability protection​.

5. Wait for confirmation of license from BCCNM

Once you have paid your license fees, we will send you an email confirming that you have been granted a practising license. Your updated status will also be listed on our nurse verification tool. You must not practise as a registered nurse until you recei​ve confirmation of licensure.

Haven't received a confirmation email?
Your license will not be granted until your payment has been received. Before calling to check on the status of your application, please:

• Double-check that you submitted your application and that your payment went through
• Check your junk mail and spam folders​​​
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If you do not meet the practice hours requirement