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 should contact the CLPNNL office at 709-579-3843 to receive further instructions and appropriate forms for completion.
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 2022.
