Licensing for Internationally Educated Nurses (RNs, LPNs, RPNs)
If you received your nursing education outside of Canada and are trying to obtain your first nursing license in Canada, you are considered to be an Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN).
In order to work as a Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in British Columbia, you will need to obtain registration from the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Inspire Global Assessments and BCCNM will assess your nursing education and competency.
Important
If you are an internationally educated nurse (IEN), who currently holds (or has previously held) registration as a Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN), or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in another Canadian province or territory, and you want to work in BC under the same designation, this is not the correct licensing information for you. Please visit this page for information on how to transfer your registration to the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) from your current Canadian province or territory.
Expedited Pathway for Nurses with Education and/or Practice in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, or the United Kingdom
BCCNM accepts nursing education and practice in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States as largely comparable to registered nursing practice in Canada. If you were educated in and/or are currently working in one of these countries, you may be able to get registered more quickly. Please visit the BCCNM website for more information on the expedited pathway.
Internationally Educated Nursing Students and New Graduates
If you are currently studying in, or have recently graduated from, a nursing education program outside of Canada, the process below applies. You will be able to start the licensing process as soon as you complete your nursing education program.
Where to Start
IENs need to apply to both the BCCNM and Inspire Global Assessments to start an application for nursing registration in BC.
Starting is easy as
Application to Inspire Global Assessments
All IENs must apply to Inspire Global Assessments. You will be required to upload documents to confirm your identity, credential assessment and language proficiency as part of your application.
After reviewing your application, Inspire Global Assessments will contact you with information about your next steps. This may include completing a competency assessment.
For more information, please visit the Inspire Global Assessments Website.
Identity Requirements
You are required to upload two notarized, government-issued identification documents to your Inspire Global Assessments account. You can find more information on what ID documents are accepted by clicking here.
Educational Credential Assessment
If you were educated as a nurse outside of Canada, you must apply for a credetial assessment report from one of five approved credentialing agencies approved by BCCNM. The credential assessment process evaluates your international nursing education in comparison to current Canadian nursing education requirements.
The approved credentialling agencies are:
For more information, please visit the Inspire Global Assessments website.
English Language Proficiency (ELP)
To determine your eligibility for continuing through the IEN Pathway you will need to show a minimum level of English language proficiency (ELP).
The easiest way to prove your English language proficiency for any profession is by taking an ELP exam. Inspire Global Assessments accepts ELP test scores from either CELBAN or IELTS (Academic).
For more information on required ELP test scores and accepted alternative evidence documentation, please visit the Inspire Global Assessment website.
Name of Language Proficiency Exam
Component
Minimum score
Listening
9
Writing
7
Speaking
8
Listening
7
Writing
6.5
Speaking
7
Overall
7
Competency Assessment
The Inspire Global Assessments competency assessment evaluates your current nursing abilities against the skills and knowledge required to practice in the Canadian health care system. Inspire Global Assessments uses a combination of a Computer-Based Assessment (CBA) and a Simulation Lab Assessment (SLA) to assess if an applicant demonstrated the skills and competencies required for practice in their desired profession.
In May 2022, Inspire Global Assessments launched the Triple Track competency assessment allowing internationally educated nurses to be assessed for up to three health care professions at the same time:
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Health Care Assistant (HCA)
For more information, please visit the Inspire Global Assessments website.
Upon successful completion of an Inspire Competency Assessment, Inspire will issue you a Inspire Competency Assessment Performance Report and send it to BCCNM.
BC College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM) Application
While completing the above requirements, you can create an account with BCCNM and start your application for practising registration. Once your completed application is submitted, a member of BCCNM’s Registration Services team will review your file and may request additional documentation to gain a clearer understanding of your nursing background and experience. For more information, please visit the BCCNM website.
Transitional Education
Once BCCNM Registration Services has reviewed all your documents, including your Inspire Competency Assessment Performance Report, they will issue a registration decision letter. This letter will outline any additional steps required for you to become eligible for registration in BC. These requirements, tailored to your specific circumstances, may include transitional education, such as individual short courses or a Re-entry to Practice program.
Registration Exam
Once you have completed BCCNM’s registration requirements, including any required transitional education, BCCNM will refer you to take the registration exam for your nursing designation. The exams include the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses (RN), the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Exam (RPNCE) for Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN), or the Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (REx-PN) for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN).
If you have already met the regulatory exam requirement for your nursing designation, you will not be required to re-write the exam.
Provisional BCCNM Registration (Optional)
Provisional registration may be granted to eligible applicants who wish to work while completing their outstanding registration requirements. BCCNM will notify you if you qualify for Provisional registration. If you do not intend to practice nursing in BC prior to obtaining full practising registration with BCCNM, provisional registration is not required.
Practicing (Full) BCCNM Registration
After fulfilling all BCCNM application requirements, successfully completing the registration exam, and paying the annual BCCNM practising registration fee, BCCNM will grant you practising registration, and your name will be listed in the online directory as a practising registrant.
Licensing Process
Proficiency
Application
How Can We Help You?
Health Match BC provide internationally educated nurses with comprehensive, personalized support throughout both the registration and employment processes. Our dedicated team is here to guide you every step of the way, from understanding the requirement for registration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) to securing meaningful employment opportunities across BC. We keep you informed about potential financial supports that may be available to you to help offset some of your registration costs, helping to ease your transistion and make the process as smooth and accessible as possible. Our goal is to ensure you have the resources and guidance you need to successfully integrate into BC’s healthcare system and make your transition as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Note: This information is subject to change & is based on the requirements set by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). For the most up to date information, please contact us.
