Registration Pathway

New Graduate License

If you've recently completed your nursing program and are waiting to write your entry-to-practice exam, a New Graduate License allows you to practice nursing in the NT or NU while you prepare. It is optional and only takes effect once payment is received.

Back to New Graduate & Student Resource Hub

⚠️ NP and RPN graduates: CNNN does not currently offer entry-to-practice exams for NPs or RPNs in the territories. If you are waiting to write your exam in another jurisdiction, you may still be eligible for a New Graduate License — contact info@cannn.ca directly for guidance.

What is a New Graduate License?

A New Graduate License is a temporary practice authorization for nurses who have recently completed an approved Canadian nursing program and are waiting to write their entry-to-practice exam. It allows you to work as a nurse in the Northwest Territories or Nunavut while your exam is pending.

The license is valid for an initial period and can be extended as needed. It is tied to your entry-to-practice exam application — for RNs, this means the NCLEX-RN, and for LPNs, the CPNRE. The New Graduate License is optional and only activates once payment is received.

Two separate processes

Applying for a New Graduate License and registering for your entry-to-practice exam happen together using a single combined application form, but they are two distinct things. You can apply to write your exam without activating the New Graduate License — simply do not submit the New Graduate License fee if you do not need to work while waiting.

Fees

Select your designation to see the applicable fees. All fees are subject to 5% GST. Payment by Visa or Mastercard only — personal cheques and virtual interact/credit cards are not accepted.

Registered Nurse (RN)

NCLEX-RN pathway

New Graduate License Fee

NCLEX-RN Exam Fee (separate)

NCSBN (Pearson Vue) exam fee of $360 USD is paid separately to Pearson Vue.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

CPNRE pathway

New Graduate License Fee

CPNRE Exam Fee (separate)

⚠ A $50.00 no-show penalty applies if your name is submitted to Meazure Learning and you do not write the exam. Contact info@cannn.ca promptly if your plans change.

Required Documents

Select your designation to see the applicable fees. All fees are subject to 5% GST. Payment by Visa or Mastercard only — personal cheques and virtual interact/credit cards are not accepted.
  • Combined Exam & New Graduate License Application FormCompleted by you and submitted to CNNN. Use the form for your designation (NCLEX-RN/New Grad or CPNRE/New Grad). See the designation tabs below for download links.
  • Payment Authorization FormRequired for CPNRE applicants. Download link in the LPN tab below.
  • Evidence of Program CompletionMust be sent directly to CNNN by the Dean or Chair of your School of Nursing — not submitted by you. ⚠ Partnership program graduates: your degree-granting university must send this, not your college. Aurora College BScN → University of Victoria. Nunavut Arctic College BScN → Dalhousie University.
  • Instructor Reference FormMust be completed and sent directly to CNNN by your instructor — not submitted by you.
  • Two pieces of government-issued ID, with signatureAt least one piece must include a photo. Both must include a signature and valid expiry date, and must be presented in colour.
  • Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector ScreeningMust be dated within 6 months of your application.
  • Verification of Registration (if applicable)Required if you have ever been registered in any category of nursing in any jurisdiction. Must come from the relevant regulatory body.

Incomplete applications will be delayed

Ensure all third-party documents (program completion, instructor reference) are arranged well in advance of your intended exam date. Both your CNNN application and your exam body application must be received a minimum of 30 days before your desired exam date.

How to Apply — By Designation

Registered Nurse — NCLEX-RN Pathway

1

Download and complete the NCLEX-RN & New Graduate Application Form

This single form covers both your NCLEX-RN exam application and your New Graduate License application. The New Graduate License section is optional — only complete and pay for it if you need to work while waiting for your results.
Download NCLEX-RN & New Graduate Application Form
Download Payment Authorization Form

2

Arrange third-party documents

Contact your School of Nursing to arrange the program completion form from your Dean/Chair, and ask your instructor to submit your instructor reference directly to CNNN at info@cannn.ca. Do this early — these can take time.

→ Evidence of Program Completion Form
→ Instructor Reference Form
→ Verification of Registration Form (if applicable)

3

Submit your application to CNNN

Email your completed application form, payment authorization, two pieces of ID, and criminal record check to info@cannn.ca. Both your CNNN application and your Pearson Vue application must be received at least 30 days before your desired exam date.

4

Apply to Pearson Vue

Contact your School of Nursing to arrange the program completion form from your Dean/Chair, and ask your instructor to submit your instructor reference directly to CNNN at info@cannn.ca. Do this early — these can take time.

5

Activate your New Graduate License (optional)

If you chose to apply for a New Graduate License, it will take effect once payment of $228.90 (including GST) is received. CNNN will confirm activation. You may then work as an RN in the NT or NU while awaiting your NCLEX-RN results.

After you pass

Your NCLEX-RN results are sent to CNNN, not to you directly. CNNN will notify you by email once results are received. You can then proceed with your full RN registration application through your Member Login portal.

Licensed Practical Nurse — CPNRE Pathway

1

Download and complete the CPNRE & New Graduate Application Form

This single form covers both your CPNRE exam application and your New Graduate License application. The New Graduate License section is optional — only complete and pay for it if you need to work while waiting for your results.
Download CPNRE & New Graduate Application Form
Download Payment Authorization Form

2

Arrange third-party documents

Contact your School of Nursing to arrange the program completion recommendation from your Dean/Chair, and ask your instructor to submit your instructor reference directly to CNNN at info@cannn.ca. Do this early — these can take time.

→ Evidence of Program Completion Form
→ Instructor Reference Form
→ Verification of Registration Form (if applicable)

3

Submit your application to CNNN

Email your completed application form, payment authorization form, two pieces of ID, and criminal record check to info@cannn.ca. Once approved, CNNN will forward your name to Meazure Learning. You will receive an email from Meazure Learning within approximately one week inviting you to schedule your exam.

4

Schedule your exam with Meazure Learning

The CPNRE is computer-based and delivered by Meazure Learning through secure online proctoring. The exam fee of $485.00 + GST is paid directly to Meazure Learning. ⚠ A $50.00 penalty fee applies if your name has been submitted to Meazure Learning and you do not write.

5

Activate your New Graduate License (optional)

If you chose to apply for a New Graduate License, it will take effect once payment of $234.15 (including GST) is received. You may then work as an LPN in the NT or NU while awaiting your CPNRE results.

Results take 4–6 weeks

CPNRE results are released within 4–6 weeks of the testing window closing. CNNN will notify you by email within 5 days of receiving your results. If you are an unsuccessful candidate, a performance profile will be provided within 5 business days.

After you pass

You can apply for full LPN registration through your Member Login portal. Contact info@cannn.ca if you have questions about next steps.

General New Graduate License application in development

CNNN does not currently offer entry-to-practice exams for Nurse Practitioners in the territories. A general New Graduate License application not tied to an exam is being developed. Once available, this page will be updated.

Nurse Practitioner — Contact CNNN

If you are an NP graduate seeking a New Graduate License while you arrange to write your exam in another jurisdiction, please contact CNNN directly to discuss your options.

Email: info@cannn.ca  |  Phone: 867-688-8255

After you pass

You can apply for full LPN registration through your Member Login portal. Contact info@cannn.ca if you have questions about next steps.

RPN graduates may be eligible for a New Graduate License

CNNN does not currently offer the RPNCE in the territories, but if you are an RPN graduate waiting to write your exam in another jurisdiction, you may still be eligible for a New Graduate License — similar to the NP pathway. You will need to provide proof that you are registered to write your exam in another jurisdiction. Contact CNNN to confirm eligibility and next steps.

Registered Psychiatric Nurse — Contact CNNN

Please contact CNNN directly to discuss your New Graduate License eligibility. The Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE) must be completed in another jurisdiction — CNNN accepts passing results from other jurisdictions.

Email: info@cannn.ca  |  Phone: 867-688-8255

Frequently Asked Questions

No — the New Graduate License is optional. You can apply to write your entry-to-practice exam without activating a New Graduate License. If you do not need to work while waiting for your results, simply do not submit the New Graduate License fee portion of the application.
No — the New Graduate License only takes effect once payment has been received and CNNN has confirmed activation. Do not begin working — including any orientation or training at the start of employment — until you have received confirmation from CNNN.
Not necessarily. Most documents carry forward to a new application — including your program completion form, instructor reference, criminal record check (if still within 6 months), and ID. The only documents you would need to resubmit are the exam application form and payment authorization form. If you are concerned about your timeline, contact info@cannn.ca early — CNNN can work with you.
For BScN graduates from collaborative programs, official transcripts are required from both institutions — your college and your degree-granting university — to fully document your education. Aurora College BScN graduates should request transcripts from both Aurora College and the University of Victoria. Nunavut Arctic College BScN graduates should request transcripts from both Nunavut Arctic College and Dalhousie University. For PN diploma graduates, your college transcript is sufficient. If you have questions about which transcripts apply to your situation, contact info@cannn.ca.
Yes — a New Graduate License covers both waiting to write your exam and waiting for your results. You do not need to switch to a Temporary Nursing License once your results are pending. Your New Graduate License remains valid through the results period. If you have questions about your specific situation, contact info@cannn.ca.
If you are having challenges logging in to your account, please contact info@cannn.ca for assistance.
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