The standard path: first apply to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS), which verifies your education and credentials, then apply to the nursing regulator in your province, for example the College of Nurses of Ontario. The regulator may require a competency assessment, bridging courses, and language proof, and you must pass the licensing exam (NCLEX-RN for registered nurses). The full process often takes one to two years. Many internationally educated nurses work as personal support workers meanwhile: real income and healthcare experience while you complete licensing.
Updated July 2026