Accepted Entry-to-Practice Exams
We currently accept the following exams:
Registered Nurses
NCLEX
We offer students the opportunity to write the NCLEX within the territories.
Registered Psychiatric Nurses
Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNC Exam)
Please be advised that we accept examinations completed in other jurisdictions. However, this exam is not administered or offered by the College.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE)
We offer students the opportunity to write the CPNRE within the territories.
REx-PN
We do not offer this exam in the territories. However, if a graduate completes the REx-PN in another jurisdiction, we will accept a passing result for endorsement.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
Canadian Nurse Practitioner Examination (CNPE)
We do not offer this exam in the territories. However, if a graduate completes the CNPE in another jurisdiction, we will accept a passing result for endorsement.
Future NP Exam (Effective 2026)
In 2026, a new common Nurse Practitioner regulatory model will be implemented across Canada. This will introduce the Canadian NP Licensure Exam (CNPLE).
- Professional Examination of the Ordre des Infirmieres et Infirmiers du Quebec (1946–1979)
- State Board Test Pool (SBTP) (1956–1982)
- CNAT Five Part Nursing Examination (Aug 1970 – Jun 1980)
- CNAT Comprehensive Examination for Nurse Registration/Licensure (Aug 1980 – Jun 1995)
- Nurse Registration/Licensure Examination (Aug 1995 – Jan 2000)
- Professional Examination of the Ordre des Infirmieres et Infirmiers du Quebec (from Jan 1, 2000)
- Canadian Registered Nurses Exam (CRNE) (Jan 2000 – Dec 2014)
- National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (USA NCLEX–RN) (from Jan 1982)
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (Canadian NCLEX–RN) (from Jan 2015)
