How International Nurses Can Become Licensed in Ontario (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you trained as a nurse outside of Canada and are thinking about working in Ontario, you are not alone. Many internationally educated nurses go through this process every year — and while the path is not always simple, it is absolutely possible.

In this guide, I will walk you through the two main pathways for international nurses to become licensed in Ontario, along with a realistic look at what the journey can look like, based on my own experience.

Step 1: Understand How Nursing Is Regulated in Ontario

Before anything else, it helps to understand how nursing works in Ontario.

Nurses in Ontario are regulated by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). To legally work as a nurse in Ontario, you must be registered with the CNO — regardless of how many years of experience you have in another country.

Ontario has two main nursing designations:

• Registered Nurse (RN) — broader scope of practice, typically requires a four-year degree

• Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) — focused scope of practice, typically a two-year diploma program

Many internationally educated nurses expect to continue directly as an RN. That may be possible, but it depends heavily on your background, your credentials, and which pathway you choose.

Step 2: Know Your Two Main Pathways

Pathway 1 — NNAS Credential Assessment

Most internationally educated nurses start with the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS). NNAS reviews your nursing education and compares it to Canadian standards.

The process typically involves:

• Creating an NNAS account and application

• Submitting transcripts from your nursing school abroad

• Verifying your nursing licenses from your home country

• Sending identity documents

• Waiting for an advisory report to be completed

This process alone can take many months — sometimes over a year. Once your NNAS report is ready, it is sent to the CNO, which then decides whether you can move directly to the licensing exam or whether additional coursework or bridging programs are required.

I will be covering the NNAS process in more detail in a dedicated post — so stay tuned if that is the route you are considering.

Pathway 2 — Complete a Nursing Program in Canada

The second option is to study nursing again in Canada. This is the path I personally chose.

Before moving to Canada, I had already completed two years of nursing school in Korea. However, instead of going through the credential assessment route, I decided to start fresh in Canada.

My path looked like this:

• Pre-Health Sciences (1 year)

• Practical Nursing Program (2 years)

After completing the program, I was eligible to write the RPN licensing exam and register with the CNO.

While starting over may sound discouraging, this route can actually be more predictable and straightforward — especially if your previous education does not align closely with Canadian standards, or if a significant amount of time has passed since you graduated.

Step 3: Pass the Licensing Exam

Once you have completed an approved nursing program — or been approved through NNAS — you will need to pass a licensing exam before you can register with the CNO.

For RPNs in Ontario, this is the REx-PN exam.

For RNs, it is the NCLEX-RN.

Passing the exam and meeting all CNO requirements allows you to officially register and begin working as a nurse in Ontario.

Step 4: Build Your Experience in Ontario

Getting licensed is a huge milestone — but it is just the beginning of building your nursing career in Canada.

Like many new graduates, I did not start out in a hospital right away. My early roles included working as a visiting nurse and as a Personal Support Worker (PSW). These experiences helped me understand the Canadian healthcare system and build my confidence in a new environment.

Over time, my career grew and diversified:

• Retirement homes

• Hospital — where I worked as part of the Nurse Resource Team, rotating through various units including palliative care, a veterans center, and acute care, etc

• Long-term care (LTC)

Currently, I work full-time as an ADOC (Assistant Director of Care) in long-term care, and casual position in a hospital setting.

This progression shows that nursing careers in Ontario can evolve in many directions. Many nurses move between community care, hospitals, and long-term care over the course of their careers — and each experience builds on the last.

Step 5: Choose the Right Path for You

There is no single correct path for international nurses coming to Ontario. The best route depends on factors such as:

• Your nursing education background and when you graduated

• How your credentials compare to Canadian standards

• Your English language proficiency

• Your immigration and study plans

For some nurses, the NNAS pathway leads smoothly to licensure with some bridging education. For others — especially those who studied nursing many years ago or whose programs differ significantly — completing a Canadian nursing program provides a clearer and more direct route.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a nurse in Ontario as an internationally educated nurse takes time and persistence. The process can involve credential assessments, additional education, licensing exams, and building up new experience in a different healthcare system.

But once you are licensed, nursing in Ontario can offer a stable, meaningful, and rewarding career. Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or already deep in the process, understanding the realistic pathways ahead makes a real difference.

If you have questions about any of these steps or want to share your own experience, feel free to leave a comment below.

Coming up next: A closer look at the NNAS process — what it involves, how long it takes, and what to expect from the CNO review.