US-licensed nurse moving to Ontario? What you need to know.

Do I need to rewrite the NCLEX for a US-licensed nurse in Ontario?

Possibly not. CNO says that if you passed the NCLEX-RN before applying, you may not need to write it again, and asks you to contact it about your case. The NCLEX-RN is the same exam for Canadian and US licensure. You must report every attempt you have made on a CNO-approved exam, in any jurisdiction.

Which Ontario requirements still apply?

Everything else. If you were educated outside Canada, that includes:

• A credential assessment from an approved provider
• Recent paid nursing practice and proof of English or French
• The jurisprudence exam and a Transition to Practice course
• The right to work in Canada, plus conduct declarations and a police check

See every step in our Ontario guide.

What is As of Right for US nurses?

As of Right lets nurses who are currently registered in good standing in a US state or the District of Columbia practise in Ontario for up to 6 months while their CNO application is reviewed. The six months start on your first day of work in Ontario.

• You need current registration in the equivalent class: at least a nursing degree for RNs, or a practical nursing diploma for RPNs.
• You must live in Ontario and have liability coverage that extends to Ontario.
• Since 5 June 2025 you submit an attestation to CNO, and you must register with CNO within 6 months of starting work.
• You are not eligible if a Canadian or US regulator refused your registration in the previous 2 years.

CNO replies within 5 business days of receiving the initial assessment form, which is not the same as an application.

What about Alberta or British Columbia?

In Alberta, a nurse who has passed the NCLEX-RN submits the NCSBN candidate report with an NNAS report or credential assessment. British Columbia runs an expedited pathway for RNs educated and licensed in the US with recent US practice. Compare Ontario and Alberta.