Licensing for Nurses Registered in Another Canadian Province or Territory (RNs, LPNs, & RPNs)
To work as a Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in British Columbia, you must be registered with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
Transferring your nursing registration from another Canadian province or territory to British Columbia
If you are registered as a Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in another Canadian province or territory, you may be eligible for practising registration in B.C. in accordance with the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and BCCNM’s bylaws.
To be eligible for registration as a labour mobility applicant, nurses must satisfy BCCNM’s good character requirement, and other criteria, including the absence of practice limitations or conditions not generally applied to BC RNs, RPNs and LPNs.
The information below applies to nurses who are:
- educated in Canada (with or without Canadian experience)
- educated internationally, registered in another Canadian province or territory (with or without Canadian experience)
Applying for BCCNM Registration
Submitting Required Documents and Information
As part of your BCCNM application for practising registration, you may be asked to:
- Consent to a Criminal Record Check
- Provide Proof of English Language Proficiency
- Provide Information on Fitness to Practice, Character & Nursing Education
- Provide Information on All Currently or Previously Held Nursing Registration inside and outside of Canada.
- Request Verification of Registration and Employment (directly from employers and regulators)
- Submit Notarized Identity Documents.
For more information on what documentation is required, click:
Once BCCNM has determined you are eligible for registration, you will need to pay the BCCNM registration fee:
Practice Hour Requirement
To demonstrate presumed competency and show their required skills for new applications and maintain active registration with BCCNM, nurses must practice a minimum number of hours (specific to their designation) within the five-year period before each registration renewal. This requirement serves as an important measure of ongoing practice currency.
Registered Nurse (RN)
1,125
For full information on the practice hour requirement for RNs, please visit the BCCNM information by clicking here.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
1,125
For full information on the practice hour requirement for LPNs, please visit the BCCNM information by clicking here.
Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)
1,400
For full information on the practice hour requirement for RPNs, please visit the BCCNM information by clicking here.
How Can We Help You?
Health Match BC is committed to supporting you throughout the registration process with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Our team will provide guidance at every step of the way to help you meet the requirements for successful registration. Once you’re eligible for registration, we will work closely with you to connect you with public health employers in BC, helping you to find employment opportunities that align with your skills and career goals. Our team is committed to helping make your transition to practicing in BC as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Note: This information is subject to change. For the most up to date information, please contact us.
