NNAS Application Fee Breakdown (2026): What You Actually Have to Pay

NNAS Application Fee Breakdown (2026): What You Actually Have to Pay

If you're planning to work as a nurse in Canada through NNAS, one of the first questions you'll have is:

How much does the NNAS process actually cost?

Many people searching for "NNAS application fee" are only looking at the initial cost — but the total cost depends on multiple stages of the process, and it adds up differently depending on your situation.

This guide breaks down the actual NNAS fees as of 2025–2026, including the costs most people don't see coming.

1. The Main NNAS Application Fee

There are two services, and the fees — and currencies — are different.

Expedited Service: approximately $750 CAD May cover multiple nursing groups (such as RN and RPN) in a single application, and you can send your Advisory Report to multiple regulatory bodies at no extra cost. Reports may be issued in as little as 5 business days once all documents are received — though in practice, timelines can vary depending on document verification and processing.

Regular Service: $650 USD, approximately $845 CAD Covers one profession and one regulatory body. Additional professions or regulatory bodies cost extra. Reports are typically issued within around 12 weeks once all documents are received, though processing times can vary.

At first glance, the NNAS application fee may seem straightforward — but most applicants end up paying more than just the base fee.

Always verify the latest amounts directly on the NNAS website before applying, as fees are subject to change.

Note: The $650 USD charge may appear higher in CAD depending on exchange rates and applicable taxes at the time of payment. Always check the NNAS website for the most current pricing.

2. What's Not Included in the Main Fee

This is where many applicants underestimate the total cost.

Document translation Required if your documents are not in English or French. If you use NNAS's own translation service, the cost is $85 per page. Using an external translator may cost more or less depending on the provider.

Courier and mailing fees Many documents must be sent directly from your institution to NNAS. International shipping costs add up quickly, especially if you're sending documents from multiple sources.

Additional assessments In some cases, applicants may be asked by regulatory bodies or third-party services to provide additional credential assessments, which can involve extra costs. This is not a standard NNAS requirement, but it's worth being aware of.

3. Costs After NNAS

NNAS gives you an Advisory Report — but that's just the beginning. After that, you still need to apply to a provincial regulatory body and pass a licensing exam.

What typically follows (costs vary by province):

• Provincial licensing application fee

• Entry-to-practice exam: NCLEX-RN for RNs, or REx-PN (Ontario and BC) / CPNRE (most other provinces) for RPNs

• Additional bridging courses if your education is assessed as not meeting Canadian standards

• English language proficiency testing if required by your regulatory body

This stage often costs more than NNAS itself, and the exact amount depends on your province and your assessment outcome.

4. The Appeal Fee

If your Advisory Report comes back unfavorable and you wish to appeal, the fee is approximately $500 CAD (Expedited Service) or $500 USD (Regular Service). This is refunded if your appeal is successful.

5. Application Validity and Reactivation

One cost that often catches people off guard: your NNAS application is valid for 12 months from the date of payment. If all required documents are not received within that window, your application expires.

You can reactivate within 12 months of the expiry date, but if you miss that window too, you'll need to start over with a new full application and pay the main fee again.

6. Why the Total Feels Higher Than Expected

The issue isn't just the amount — it's how the costs are structured.

You don't pay everything upfront. Fees come in stages, some costs are unpredictable, and the timeline between payments can stretch over many months. Processing delays may also push your application closer to its validity window, potentially triggering additional fees down the line.

7. Is It Worth the Cost?

That depends entirely on your situation.

NNAS makes sense if you've already completed your full nursing program abroad, your education closely matches Canadian standards, and you want to avoid repeating your education here.

It may not be the right path if you're missing key eligibility requirements, or if your assessment is likely to result in significant additional education requirements anyway — in which case, studying nursing directly in Canada might be a more predictable route.

If you're still deciding between NNAS and studying nursing in Canada, this might help:

→ [NNAS vs Studying Nursing in Canada: An Honest Guide for 2026]