Is NNAS Worth It in 2026? (For International Nurses)

If you're an internationally educated nurse trying to work in Canada, you've probably already come across NNAS.

And close behind it, the same complaints: slow. Expensive. A process that feels like a wall between you and the career you came here for.

So in 2026 — is it actually worth it?

Here's what I know.

What NNAS Actually Is

NNAS — the National Nursing Assessment Service — does one thing: it reviews your nursing credentials and sends an Advisory Report to the provincial regulator of your choice.

That's it.

It doesn't license you. It doesn't assess your English. It doesn't guarantee you anything.

NNAS is the first stop for internationally educated nurses seeking registration in most Canadian provinces — but it's just the first stop. The provincial regulator (like the CNO in Ontario) still does their own assessment after. And depending on what they find, you may be asked to do more.

NNAS is the entry point, not the finish line.

First: Which Service Applies to You?

This is the most important thing to figure out before you apply.

You qualify for the Expedited Service if you completed a post-secondary nursing program outside Canada and have been licensed as a nurse outside Canada. The fee is approximately $750 CAD, covering both RN and RPN designations, and you can add multiple regulatory bodies at no extra cost.

The Regular Service is for nurses who completed their education outside Canada but have never been licensed as a nurse. That starts at approximately $650 USD.

Why does this matter? Because the two services are very different in speed, cost, and what documents you need.

Check the NNAS website before you pay anything. NNAS does not issue refunds.

The Part That Actually Takes the Longest

On paper, the timelines aren't terrible.

Once all documents are received: Expedited Service issues the Advisory Report within 5 business days. Regular Service takes about 12 weeks.

The problem is that phrase: once all documents are received.

Most of your required documents can't be submitted by you — they have to come directly from your nursing school, your licensing authority, and your employer. And those third parties move at their own pace.

Schools in high-volume countries take weeks. Sometimes months. Verification forms get lost. Documents get rejected for formatting. You follow up. You wait again.

This is where people lose six months. Sometimes a year.

The practical advice from everyone who has been through it: start early, follow up constantly, and keep records of everything.

The Real Cost

The application fee is just the beginning.

On top of NNAS fees, you're also looking at provincial registration fees, NCLEX registration, and — if your documents aren't in English or French — translation costs, which can add up quickly per page.

By the time you're fully licensed, the total cost across everything is often several thousand dollars. Plan for it.

What Happens After NNAS

This is where a lot of people are caught off guard.

Receiving your Advisory Report doesn't mean you can write the exam. Your provincial regulator still reviews your credentials independently. Depending on what they find, you may need to complete bridging coursework, a competency assessment, or additional clinical hours — before you can move forward.

As of April 2025, the College of Nurses of Ontario now accepts credential assessments from multiple approved providers, not just NNAS. If you're applying in Ontario, it's worth checking the CNO website directly for the current list — you may have more options than you think.

Once approved to proceed, you write the NCLEX-RN (for RNs) or REx-PN (for RPNs). Internationally educated nurses historically pass at lower rates on the first attempt than Canadian-educated graduates. Don't underestimate this step.

So — Is It Worth It?

For most internationally educated nurses, yes. But with clear eyes about what you're signing up for.

It's worth it if your documents are accessible, your graduation is relatively recent, and you qualify for the Expedited Service. In that case, the NNAS portion itself is fast — the longer stretch is what comes after.

It may not be the right path if your documents are difficult or impossible to obtain, your education significantly differs from Canadian standards, or you're already considering studying nursing in Canada. In those cases, completing a Canadian nursing program — like I did — can sometimes be the more predictable route.

There's no universal answer. What matters is understanding both options before you commit to either.

One Last Thing

NNAS isn't hard because it's academically demanding. There are no exams, no assignments.

It's hard because it's slow, expensive, and a lot of it is outside your control.

Going in knowing that doesn't make it easier — but it does make it more manageable.

Requirements, fees, and timelines change. Always verify current information directly with NNAS and your provincial regulatory body before applying.

If NNAS feels like too much of a gamble, you might be considering a Canadian nursing program instead. I’ve compared both paths to help you decide which one is actually faster for you: [Should You Study Nursing in Canada or Go Through NNAS? A Realistic Guide]