Graduates of nursing programs from countries other than Canada (Internationally Educated Nurses - IENS), who do not hold a valid license to practise nursing in a Canadian province or territory, and who wish to become registered to work as a LPN in Canada, are required to apply to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS). NNAS coordinates a consistent approach for IENs seeking registration/licensure to practise in Canadian jurisdictions. NNAS offers a fair, direct and secure way for IENs to submit their documents for Canadian nursing registration.
NNAS provides the following:
- An online application process;
- One central location to send documents;
- A national credential assessment process;
- Online tracking of the status of your application.
After you receive your report from NNAS you can contact registration@clpnnl.ca for further instruction or complete the Application for Licensure for Internationally Educated Nurses.
Application for Licensure for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs)
Complete all sections of the IEN application for licensure and submit to CLPNNL along with the processing fee and the following documentation with your application for licensure:
- Licensure Application for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs)
- Copy of birth certificate
- Copy of marriage certificate in the event of a name change (if applicable)
- Copy of government-issued picture identification (color copy)
- Applicants whose first language is not English will need to determine how best to demonstrate English Language proficiency by reviewing CLPNNL's English Language Proficiency Fact Sheet
- Fee $200.90 + 30.14 HST = $231.04 (cheque or money order payable to CLPNNL or pay with credit card or debit by calling (709)-579-3843 Ext. 100)
Once deemed eligible for licensure in Newfoundland and Labrador you must apply for the first or second available for the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE)
A temporary license will be issued for 4 months to give applicants the opportunity to prepare for and write the CPNRE. The following must be submitted to process this license:
- Original criminal record check, including vulnerable sector check, not older than six (6) months before the date the license is to be processed.
- The initial licensure fee of $376.66 + HST $56.50 = $433.16 ($227.00 + $34.05 HST = $261.05 after December 1).
- Submit a certificate of completion for the Jurisprudence learning module.
When all fees and required documents have been received and deemed satisfactory, the license will be processed and the LPN’s name will be found on the FIND A NURSE section on the CLPNNL website.
The SPEP is a regulatory program that is employment focused and available to eligible candidates in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), who have met educational requirements but do not meet currency of practice requirements.
Eligible IENs must have a NL employer and can then apply for a Temporary License. The Temporary License will be granted for a 6-month period. The program includes 450 hours of practice in a mutually agreed on area of practice with a minimum of 135 hours under direct supervision of an experienced LPN or in certain circumstances a RN preceptor. The remaining (315) can be completed under direct or indirect supervision. By participating in the program, candidates will meet the currency of practice hours requirement and enhance their nursing knowledge, skill and judgement.
Following successful completion of SPEP, candidates who are International Educated Nurses (IENs) will be eligible to register for the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE). Successful completion of the CPNRE is the final step to move to initial licensure as a LPN. Applicants who are re-entry candidates and have already passed the CPNRE, can move to initial licensure following successful completion of the SPEP.
For additional information on SPEP see the CLPNNL's SPEP Guide and CLPNNLs Memo and FAQs on the program.
All LPNs applying for licensure in Newfoundland and Labrador must have an acceptable level of proficiency with the English language.
NNAS will use the information that the IEN provides on the application form to determine if the applicant requires a language test to demonstrate an acceptable level of proficiency.
Applicants required to demonstrate satisfactory English comprehension must obtain scores set by the CLPNNL Board on a test(s) acceptable to the Board.
Please see CLPNNL's English Language Proficiency Fact Sheet 2023.
