Canada does not have one nationwide RN licence. The provincial or territorial regulator determines eligibility to practise. Many internationally educated nurses use NNAS, but not every province, territory, profession or applicant pathway uses it. NNAS issues an advisory report rather than a nursing licence. Verify the exact regulator route before starting NNAS.
Recommended next steps
- Choose your intended province or territory and RN, LPN/RPN, or psychiatric nursing category.
- Read that regulator’s international applicant guide first.
- If instructed, open an NNAS application and arrange original-source documents.
- Submit the regulator application and address any education, practice, language, jurisprudence, transition or exam requirements.
- Obtain registration before practising in regulated nursing roles.
- Assess separate work authorization or immigration requirements through IRCC.
Official sources
- National Nursing Assessment Service FAQs
- College of Nurses of Ontario: applicants educated outside Canada
- IRCC Express Entry category-based selection
Important note
This guide is general education, not a licensing decision, immigration advice, or a guarantee of employment. Always check the linked official authority for changes before acting.