overview of application process for internationally educated

As of Sept. 1, 2020, the British Columbia College of Nursing Pro-fessionals (BCCNP) and the College of Midwives of British Columbia (CMBC) amalgamated to create a new regulatory body: British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM).

The document you are about to access reflects our most current information about this topic, but you’ll notice the content refers to the previous regulatory college that published this document prior to Sept. 1, 2020.

We appreciate your patience while we work towards updating all of our documents to reflect our new name and brand.

BC COLLEGE OF NURSES & MIDWIVES

Contact us

GENERAL INQUIRIES604.742.62001.866.880.7101 toll-free within Canada [email protected]

[email protected]@bccnm.ca

REGULATORY POLICY & [email protected]

[email protected] Fax 604.899. 0794

Introduction

The role of CRNBC

In Canada, each province has an organization responsible for protecting the public through the regulation of nurses. In BC, the College of Registered Nurses of BC (CRNBC) protects the public by:

• Setting requirements for registration of registered nurses (RN) and nurse practitioners (NP) • Setting Standards of Practice • Reviewing and recognizing nursing education programs and • Addressing complaints and concerns about nurses.

This guide gives you an overview of the process for applying for registered nurse registration in B.C.

Applying for registration

Basic requirements

The IEN application process assesses your ability to meet the requirements for RN registration in B.C. and demonstrate that you have nursing knowledge, skill and abilities substantially equivalent to a B.C. educated registered nurse.

Before starting the process, you should note there are two basic requirements you must meet if you want to apply for registration in BC.

• You must have completed a nursing education program; and • You must have current or a previous RN registration in the country where you completed the

program.

If you meet those basic requirements, you’ll go through several steps in order to become a registered nurse in BC.

Continue on to review the steps in this journey

Overview of application process for internationally educated nurse (IEN) applicants

College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia 2

The IEN Journey

1. Apply to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)

Your first step is to apply to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS). NNAS was established to provide a national, streamlined approach to the collection and evaluation of documentation from IENs who want to practice in Canada.

NNAS requires:

• A fee in USD (please contact NNAS to confirm amount)• Notarized identity documents for all current and former names• Educational documents directly from your nursing school(s)• Verification of nursing registrations or licenses directly from regulatory

bodies• Nursing employment references directly from your employer(s)

You can apply online at www.nnas.ca, indicating that you want to apply to CRNBC. You can also download an applicant handbook which explains every step of their process and additional fees that may apply for other services.


Important: Fluency in English is essential for safe nursing practice in B.C. If English is not your first language you will be required to demonstrate fluency through testing. NNAS will determine if you are required to take a test. But, please be aware, CRNBC may require you to take a test even if NNAS does not.

Two tests are accepted by CRNBC, and the minimum required scores are below:

The results from combined tests are not accepted and your scores must be less than six months when received by NNAS.

2. Apply to CRNBC

After NNAS has completed their evaluation, you will receive a copy of an Advisory Report. At this point, you can apply to CRNBC.

Go to www.crnbc.ca, click on “Registration and Renewal” and navigate to the IEN application to create an account. To apply, you will need your NNAS Application Number and NNAS Identification Number. The application form will ask you to provide updates to information that may have changed since you started the NNAS process.

Please note: our online service will not let you apply before both you and CRNBC have received your NNAS Advisory Report. Please allow up to five business days from the date you receive your report.

Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for

Nurses (CELBAN)

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) –

Academic version


Application fees

The fee to apply to CRNBC is paid in two parts. First, you will pay a fee to submit the application. We will then check you have met the English requirement. If you have not met the English requirement, you will be given one year to submit valid test scores. If you have met the English requirement, you will be required to pay the balance of the full fee within 30 days. After you have paid the full fee, your application will be reviewed. We will check we have all the documents required to process your application. At this stage, we may require additional documents or information from you.

Next steps

When all documentation requirements are complete, CRNBC will assess your application individually, considering your NNAS report, education and experience to determine if:

• You are eligible to write the national nursing exam and apply for provisional registration, which allows you to practice while preparing to write the national nursing exam.

OR

• Further assessment is required. If we are unable to make a decision about your eligibility for registration, you may be required to complete a competency assessment.

3. Competency assessment

A competency assessment looks at your nursing skills, knowledge and practice and shows us how it matches what we expect of a new BC graduate.

All applicants for registration must demonstrate the entry-level competencies for registered nurses in BC. The majority of internationally educated applicants will demonstrate these competencies through completion of a competency assessment and transitional education.

For more information, please visit www.ncasbc.ca


4. Assessment of your application for registration

After you complete the competency assessment, we will receive a report. We review the assessment report, along with all other application documents, to determine if you have any competency gaps. If gaps exist, you may be required to complete transitional education before you can write the national nursing exam and register with CRNBC.

You may be required to complete:

• One or more individual courses; or • A re-entry to practice program for IEN’s; or • A BC Bachelor of Nursing program

We will give you information about recognized courses and/or programs depending on your specific requirements. Please note the school(s) will require a copy of your CRNBC assessment before you enrol in a course or program.

Although you may be required to complete education, please be aware that schools will have their own requirements for students enrolling in their programs. CRNBC has no control over these requirements. You will be responsible for ensuring you meet admissions criteria. Our assessment does not oblige any school to admit you into a course or program.

National Nursing Exam (NCLEX-RN)

All applicants seeking CRNBC registration must write and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN). This exam measures the competencies required of entry-level registered nurses for safe and effective practice. The exam is made up of multiple choice and alternate format questions.

If you've written and passed the NCLEX-RN exam after 1982, you do not need to re-write it but you must still meet all other registration requirements, including any required coursework, before you will be eligible for registration with CRNBC.

https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm


5. Eligibility for registration

Once you have completed all CRNBC registration requirements, including any required transitional education and passing the NLCEX-RN, you are eligible for practicing RN registration. Practicing RN registration authorizes you to practice nursing in B.C. You must ensure your practicing RN registration is in place before you start practicing as an RN in B.C.

For comprehensive information about the IEN application process, please visit our website: https://www.crnbc.ca/Registration/RNApplication/InternationalEN/Pages/Default.aspx

For application and registration fees:

https://www.crnbc.ca/Registration/Fees/Pages/Fees.aspx

Contact us

Telephone: 604.736.7331 or email [email protected]

The CRNBC office is located at 2855 Arbutus St., Vancouver (West 13th Ave/Arbutus St. across from Varsity Automotive). We are located one block south of West 12th Avenue on the west side of the street. If you are coming along Broadway, we are located three blocks south of Broadway.


Plan for my IEN Application Journey

Steps in Application Process

Areas I need to consider/explore/act upon Timeframes

Apply to NNAS

Apply to CRNBC

Competency Assessment

Assessed Requirements

Registration

overview of application process for internationally educated

Documents