Licensing (Registration)

If you were educated as a nurse outside of Canada, you must apply to the one of five approved assessment agencies for a credential assessment. The credential assessment process evaluates your international nursing education in comparison to current Canadian nursing education requirements.  

The approved credentialing agencies are:  

• The Canadian Branch of the World Education Service (WES)  
• BCIT International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)  
• International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS)  
• Comparative Education Services (CES)  
• National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)  

For more information, please visit the BCCNM website.  

You will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency, and you may asked to submit the results of an acceptable English Language Proficiency (ELP) test. For more information, please visit the BCCNM website.  

You will need to apply to the Inspire Global Assessments/Inspire Évaluations Mondiales. As part of this application, you will be required to upload documents to demonstrate your identity, credential assessment and English language proficiency.  

After reviewing your application, the Inspire Global Assessments/Inspire Évaluations Mondiales will contact you with information about your next steps. This may include completing a competency assessment and/or transitional education.  

The Inspire Global Assessments/Inspire Évaluations Mondiales competency assessment evaluates your nursing skills against the competencies that nurses are required to possess for safe nursing practice in Canada. The assessment includes a computer-based test and a simulation lab assessment. In May 2022, Inspire Global Assessments/Inspire Évaluations Mondiales launched theTriple Track competency assessment allowing internationally educated nurses to be assessed for up to three health-care professions at the same time:    

• Registered Nurse (RN)  

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)  

• Health Care Assistant (HCA)  

For more information, please visit the Inspire Global Assessments/Inspire Évaluations Mondiales website.  

While you complete the above requirements, you will also need to start an application with the provincial nursing regulator, BCCNM. They will request further documentation from you to understand your nursing background and experience. For more information, please visit the BCCNM website.  

You may be referred by the BCCNM to upgrade your education and skills. Transitional education requirements can include individual courses or a re-entry to practice program.  

Once you have completed the BCCNM registration requirements, including any required transitional education, the BCCNM will refer you to take the registration exam for your level of nursing. The exams include the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) for a Registered Nurse (RN), the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Exam (RPNCE) for a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN), or the Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (REx-PN) for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).  

Provisional registration allows applicants to practice under supervision while they wait to take the registration exam. Provisional registration allows you to gain practice hours as a nurse while working towards the requirements for full practicing registration. The BCCNM will notify you if you are eligible for provisional registration. If you do not plan to practice nursing in B.C. before gaining full practicing registration with BCCNM, you do not need to obtain provisional registration.  

Once you have met all BCCNM application requirements, passed the NCLEX (RN), RPNCE (RPN), or REx-PN (LPN) exam, and paid the annual BCCNM practicing registration fee, you can transition to practising registration.