Graduates of Canadian NP programs

How to apply

1. Apply for RN licensure (if required)

New graduates must qualify for RN licensure with BCCNM before they can be considered for NP licensure. If you already hold RN licensure 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 licensure. You'll be asked to consent to a criminal record check, provide evidence of identity, capacity to practice, and character, and provide details of your nursing education and applications for licensure in Canada or internationally.
• Submit your application and pay your application fee.
  
• You can submit your application for NP licensure while your RN application is being processed.

2. Apply for NP licensure

• Complete the Application for NP licensure (new graduates B.C/Canada).
  
• You'll be asked to provide details about your NP education program and registration exam taken (if applicable).
• 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)

• On your registration application, you'll be asked if you would like apply for provisional licensure.
• Provisional licensure is granted to eligible applicants who want to work while meeting their final registration requirements (such as passing the regulatory exam).
• When all registration requirements are met, provisional licensure is automatically converted to practising licensure.​
  
• Provisional licensees 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 licensed to practise in British Columbia.
• Before provisional licensure 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 licensee.
• The limits and conditions are removed and practising NP licensure granted once BCCNM receives confirmation of successful completion of the written exam.

6. Practising licensure + fees

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

• If you have provisional licensure, your licensure will automatically update in the online directory​ and limits and conditions on your practice will be removed.
• If you do not have provisional licensure, 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 licensure. Once granted, your NP licensure will appear in BCCNM's online directory​.​
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​​​​​​​​​​​​Assessing your application

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

​Good character​

Good character refers to having the qualities and traits relevant to nursing, such as:

• moral or ethical strength;
• integrity, integrity, candour, empathy and honesty;
• an appreciation of the difference between right and wrong; and
• the moral fibre to do that which is right and not to do that which is wrong.

To determine if you meet the Good Character eligibility standard, the information we consider includes:

• the completeness, correctness, and accuracy of the information you provided on the application form or in any communication with BCCNM;
• past or current regulatory investigations and outcomes;
• outstanding criminal charges, convictions for crimes, and other breaches of laws;
• past or current workplace investigations;
• concerns raised from educational institutions;
• any history of unethical or dishonest behaviour;
• disrespectful conduct when engaging with BCCNM;
• your explanation, and context, for past events;
• steps taken to rehabilitate after past actions and/or misconduct;
• character and employment references; and
• reflections and insights demonstrating an appreciation of the problematic nature and harms caused by past actions and/or misconduct.​
  

Capacity to practice

Capacity is having the competence to practice without undue impairments by a health condition.

If you have disclosed, or other information indicates you have, a health condition that may currently impair your ability to practice competently, the information we consider includes:

• complaints, in any jurisdiction, related to your competence and/or capacity;
• past or current regulatory investigations and outcomes;
• outstanding criminal charges, convictions for crimes, and other breaches of laws;
• past or current workplace investigations;
• concerns raised by education institutions;
• substantial breaks in practice;
• self-disclosure of a current, or recently manifested, physical or mental ailment, an addiction to alcohol or drugs, or problematic substance use, that may impair your physical, mental, or emotional ability or capacity, to practise;
• your explanation, and context, for a past event;
• information from treating physician(s), specialist(s), or other healthcare provider, who can provide an opinion as to your current health status, it's potential to impair competence to practice, any recommendations for safe entrance into the profession, (we only request this information in certain circumstances);
• supports and/or strategies you have in place; and
• reference letters.​
  

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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