Work as a nurse in Canada

Nursing exams to work in Canada

Recently reviewed· 22 Oct 2026

Registered nurses in every Canadian province and territory except Quebec are licensed through the NCLEX-RN, the same exam used in the USA. Practical nurses in Ontario (RPNs) and British Columbia (LPNs) write the REx-PN, a computer adaptive exam of 90–150 questions in 4 hours; other provinces set their own practical nurse exam. Quebec’s order (OIIQ) runs its own entry exam. Internationally educated nurses usually start with a National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) assessment before applying to the provincial regulator.

Which exam do you need for Canada?

NCLEX-RN

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NCSBN

The RN licensing exam for the USA and Canada, and Stage 1 of Australia’s OBA.

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1 practice set

Syllabus & practice

REx-PN

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NCSBN for CNO (Ontario) and BCCNM (British Columbia)

Entry exam for practical nurses in Ontario (RPN) and British Columbia (LPN).

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1 practice set

Syllabus & practice

How to get a nursing licence in Canada, step by step

NNAS assessment
Internationally educated nurses applying outside Quebec usually begin with NNAS, which reviews your education, registration and practice history and sends a report to the province you choose.
Apply to the provincial regulator
The regulator decides whether you need extra education, a competency assessment or bridging before you can write the exam.
Write the entry exam
NCLEX-RN for registered nurses; REx-PN for practical nurses in Ontario and BC. Some regulators also set a jurisprudence exam on local law and standards.
Language and registration
Show English or French proficiency as the regulator requires, then complete registration.

Quebec planned to move to the NCLEX-RN, but the change was put on hold; check the OIIQ for the current exam.

Who regulates nursing in Canada?

Nursing in Canada: common questions

Do Canadian nurses take the NCLEX-RN?

Yes. Every Canadian province and territory except Quebec uses the NCLEX-RN as the registered nurse entry-to-practice exam. Quebec’s OIIQ sets its own exam.

What is the REx-PN?

The Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse, developed by NCSBN, is the entry exam for practical nurses in Ontario (since January 2022) and British Columbia. It is computer adaptive, 90–150 questions in 4 hours, available in English and French.

Is the NCLEX-RN the same in Canada and the USA?

It is the same NCSBN exam and test plan. What differs is the route to eligibility: Canadian provinces have their own registration requirements, and internationally educated nurses usually go through NNAS first.

References

[1]NNAS. National Nursing Assessment Servicegov
[2]College of Nurses of Ontario. REx-PN Fact Sheet 1: General Informationgov
[3]Nurses Association of New Brunswick. Information on writing the OIIQ examgov