Licensing for Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
To work as a Nurse practitioner (NP) in British Columbia, you must be registered with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
Eligibility for NP Registration in BC
To be eligible for full practising registration as an NP in BC, you must have:
- Current registration as an RN, or established eligibility for RN registration with BCCNM. An RN application and an NP application can be submitted concurrently. Individuals with Provisional Registration must meet the conditions of their RN registration, prior to qualifying for NP registration
If you have not yet begun your application for RN registration with BCCNM, you can find information on how to begin here:
- Graduated from a BC-recognized NP program or graduated from an NP program equivalent to a master’s level nursing education program that prepares graduates with the competencies to practice as described in the Competencies Required for Nurse Practitioners in British Columbia. BCCNM accepts all Canadian NP programs recognized in the province where they are located as equivalent to a BC NP program.
- Successfully complete a recognized written examination.
- Met the minimum practice hour requirement.
NP Practice Hour Requirement
The minimum hour requirement can be met through having completed one of the following in the past three years:
- Graduated from a BC recognized NP education program or equivalent.
- Engaged in the practice of nursing as an NP for a minimum of 900 hours (300 of which must include direct clinical practice with clients) in the stream (family, adult, pediatrics) in which you are seeking registration as set out in the BCCNM Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners Standards, Limits and Conditions; or
- Completed a clinical-directed study through a BC-recognized NP program.
For more information on what can or cannot be counted towards the BCCNM practice hour requirement for NPs, please visit the BCCNM page on NP Practice Hour Requirements.
Applying to BCCNM
The application process for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) differs based on whether your NP training was completed in Canada, or internationally.
For detailed information on applying to BCCNM as a NP, and to start your application, please visit the BCCNM website, or contact Health Match BC for further assistance.
Registration Exam
All applicants for NP registration are required to complete a written examination.
At this time BCCNM recognizes a number of nurse practitioner written exams for family, adult and pediatric streams of practice.
For information on BCCNM recognized NP written exams please visit the BCCNM NP exams page.
Provisional BCCNM NP Registration (Optional)
Provisional registration enables NP applicants to practice under supervision. BCCNM will notify you if you qualify for Provisional NP registration. If you do not intend to practice as an NP in BC prior to obtaining full practising registration with BCCNM, provisional registration is not required.
For more information on BCCNM Provisional NP Registration, click here.
Practising (Full) BCCNM NP Registration
Once you have met all BCCNM application requirements, passed the written exam, and paid the annual BCCNM practising NP registration fee, BCCNM will grant you practising registration and list your name on the online directory as a practising registrant.
For information on BCCNM NP registration fees, click here.
How Can We Help You?
At Health Match BC we are dedicated to guiding Nurse Practitioners through each phase of their recruitment journey. Our team will provide support and guidance to navigate the registration process with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Once you’re eligible for registration, we will work closely with you to connect you with public health employers across BC, helping you find employment opportunities that align with your skills and career goals, and making 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.
