Graduates of Canadian NP programs

How to apply

1. Apply for RN registration (if required)

New graduates must qualify for RN registration with BCCNM before they can be considered for NP registration. If you already hold RN registration with BCCNM, please go directly to step 2.

• Create a BCCNM account​ (if you haven't already)
• Sign into your BCCNM account and apply for practising registration. You'll be asked to consent to a criminal record check, provide evidence of identity, fitness to practice, and character, and provide details of your nursing education and applications for registration in Canada or internationally.
• Submit your application and pay your application fee.
  
• You can submit your application for NP registration while your RN application is being processed.

2. Apply for NP registration

• Complete the Application for NP registration (new graduates B.C/Canada).
  
• You'll be asked to provide details about your NP education program, registration exam taken (if applicable), and your stream of NP practice.
• Submit your application and all supporting documents to register@bccnm.ca.

3. ​Pay your NP application fee

Once you have submitted all required documents and information, we will send you instruction to pay your application fee.

4. Regulatory exam

• If you have NOT successfully completed an approved regulatory exam, you must register to do so.  Learn more. 
  
• If you have already successfully passed an approved written NP exam, we need a copy of your exam result. Please request that the Certification Board or nursing regulator in the province where you took the exam send your exam result directly to BCCNM at exams@bccnm.ca.

5. ​Provisional registration (optional)

• Provisional registration enables you to practice as an NP while you are waiting to complete a regulatory exam. If you are eligible, we will inform you after we have assessed your application.
• Provisional registrants have limits and conditions on their practice. They must not independently prescribe or order diagnostics, and they must be monitored by a nurse practitioner or physician registered to practice in British Columbia.
• Before provisional registration can be granted, your employer must confirm that they are aware of the limits and conditions of provisional practice and agree to monitor your practise will monitor your practise as a provisional registrant.
• The limits and conditions are removed and practising NP registration granted once BCCNM receives confirmation of successful completion of the written exam.

6. Practising registration + fees

If you meet the requirements, you will be eligible for practising NP registration.

• If you have provisional registration, your registration will automatically update in the online directory​ and limits and conditions on your practice will be removed.
• If you do not have provisional registration, you will be sent instructions to pay your registration fee​.
  
• You are not authorized to practice as a nurse practitioner in British Columbia until we send you an email confirming your registration. Once granted, your NP registration will appear in BCCNM's online directory​.​
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​​​​​​​​​​​​Assessing your application

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

​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.
  

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.
• Any history of unethical or dishonest behaviour
  
• Information from an educational institution, if applicable. 
  
• 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

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).

Education + competence

• ​Accepted education for NP registration includes BCCNM-recognized NP education programs​ and any program approved or recognized in other Canadian provinces or territories for the purpose of NP registration in Canada.
• By successfully completing a recognized Canadian NP education program in the last three years, you will meet both education and competence requirements.

​English language proficiency

You will meet the English language proficiency requirement​ through successful completion of your NP education program in English. If French was the language of instruction for your NP education, we will require evidence of your English language proficiency, which can include:

• A reference from a nursing employer indicating your RN practice was predominantly in English-speaking settings and/or with English-speaking clients; or
• An approved English language proficiency test.​
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