• ​A practising RN in another Canadian or United States jurisdiction.
  
• A non-practising registrant with BCCNM.
  
• A former registrant with BCCNM. 
• An RN in the Canadian or US Armed Forces. 
  

​IMPORTANT: You are ineligible for temporary emergency registration if you: 

• Do not meet the practice hours requirement​.
  
• Received your nursing education internationally and have not applied for BCCNM practising registration, and/or not met the requirements for practising registration in British Columbia.
• Have previously recorded instances of not meeting the good character, fitness to practice or competence to practice requirements with the college.
• Have not passed the NCLEX-RN​​​.
• Have previously been denied registration.
  
• Are an employed student nurse or nursing student. 
  

If you are ineligible for TER, you may still be eligible for practising registration. Learn more about the application process.

How to​ apply​

​1. Confirm you are eligible to apply

Read the eligibility criteria above to ensure you are eligible to apply for temporary emergency registration. Please do not apply unless you meet the criteria. This will enable us to process applications for eligible individuals more efficiently.

2. Create a BCCNM account

Create a BCCNM account if you do not have one already.

3. Submit application form and supporting documents/information

Complete all sections of the Application for Temporary Emergency Registration and submit to BCCNM Registration Services at register@bccnm.ca along with:

• Copies of two forms of identification accepted by BCCNM (one must include a photo)
• Any additional information you need to provide, as directed on the application.
  

IMPORTANT: Please download and save the application to your computer before completing it. Some browsers, such as Chrome or Safari, will not save your changes if you do not take this step.

4. Confirm registration before practising

If your application for temporary emergency registration is approved, we will send you an email confirming your registration. You will also appear in the online directory. You must not practise as a nurse in British Columbia until you have confirmed your registration with BCCNM.

5. Sign up for the Emergency Health Provider Registry

The Emergency Health Provider Registry (EPHR) is an online registry to support proactive and voluntary deployment of health sector workers to communities across B.C. during emergency events including wildfires, floods, and pandemics.

Health authorities, Providence Health Care, Health Match B.C., and the Ministry of Health may use the EHPR to initiate contact with health care providers if/when assistance is required.

After you are granted registration, apply for the Emergency Health Provider Registry.

Practising as a temporary emergency registrant 

Areas of practice

Temporary emergency registration (TER) is available for the sole purpose of enabling eligible individuals to assist during a declared emergency. Temporary emergency registrants can assist by:

• Providing care that is directly related to the state of emergency.
• Temporarily covering positions vacated by nurses who have been redeployed to deal with the emergency.
• Provide continuity of care should B.C. residents receive care within other provinces and require virtual or other follow-up care following return to B.C.

Nursing practice in British Columbia

Nursing scope, professional and practice standards are slightly different in every Canadian jurisdiction. Please review the Scope of Practice, Professional Standards and Practice Standards​ for registered nurses to ensure you understand the current scope standards you need to follow while you are practising in British Columbia.

In particular, please ensure you review the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility and Anti-Racism Practice Standard, which outlines expectations for how BCCNM registrants are to provide culturally safe and anti-racist care for Indigenous clients.

Use of title

During the period that you hold temporary registration with BCCNM, you may refer to yourself as a temporary registered nurse or RN (T).

Frequently asked questions

Why do I need to meet the practice hours requirement to apply for temporary emergency registration?

Even during emergencies, BCCNM needs to maintain requirements to ensure that registered individuals can practice safely and competently in the current and rapidly changing health care environment. There is an expectation these nurses will adapt quickly to their environment, recognize and self-regulate any limitations in their competence and not practice beyond that competence. Learn more about the practice hours requirement.​

How will my application be assessed?

We will confirm that you:

• Are a registrant in good standing (or were in good standing when you last held registration). 
• Meet the practice hours requirement​ or have graduated from an approved nursing program in the last five years. 
• Meet the good character and fitness to practice requirements
  
• Meet all continuing competence/Quality Assurance requirements. 
  
• Have sufficient and current practise withing the Scope, Standards and expectations of nurses in British Columbia and/or Canada. 
  
• Are a member of the Armed Forces (if applicable).​​

When will temporary emergency registration end?

Temporary emergency registration is granted for periods of up to 180 days and will be automatically extended while the BCCNM registrar’s emergency declaration is in effect. You may be asked to provide updated information before your registration is extended to ensure you still to meet the requirements.

When BCCNM repeals the emergency declaration, your registration will expire 15 days following the announcement. We will notify you as required of your updated registration expiry date.

What if I am placed in a setting or a patient population I am unfamiliar with?

Nurses are expected to self-regulate their practice and understand their limitations of their nursing competence. If you are asked to provide nursing care beyond your competence, you must inform your supervisor that you are unable to perform that task.

Please note: Deployment is entirely voluntary and registering with the Emergency Health Provider Registry does not mean that you are required to accept an offer of employment or deployment, or that you are guaranteed to receive an offer. Read the Emergency Health Provider Registry FAQs for more information.​​​