5 Helpful Tips to Process Canadian Nursing License Reciprocity

The Agreement on Internal Trade Chapter 7 lawfully allows Canadian-licensed nurses to practice nursing across Canada including Québec and the Territories. To be able to practice nursing in a province, the nurse must initially hold a full, unrestricted nursing license not temporary or provisional licenses. Like in the States, you can hold multiple nursing licenses in Canada as well! Yes. With a price.

To end the rumors of not being able to practise anywhere in Canada, here are 5 helpful tips to process license reciprocity across Canada:

(1) Read the Out-of-Province Reciprocity requirements of the province where you wish to move or practice

Learning the reciprocity processes would help you formulate a game plan prior to moving to the province or applying for nursing jobs in that province. This information is available in the College website. Be reminded that there are separate forms for Out of Province or Canadian-licensed Nurse Applicants.

(2) Practise the profession

Although not all provinces require a Canadian RN or LPN experience, practising the profession in Canada would give you the upper hand to get registered in the province where you wish to move and work as a licensed nurse.

(3) Determine the Evidence of Nursing Practise requirement

Some provinces require certain number of practise hours prior to licensure approval. One best example is the province of British Columbia, the reciprocity applicant should hold a minimum of 0.5 Full-Time Equivalent RN position for a year that means 5 shifts in a pay period for 12 months. In Québec, 400 RN hours should be accrued within the last 4 years to be eligible to practise in Québec as an RN.

(3) Determine the Language Proficiency requirement

Canada West and Québec have stringent language proficiency requirements. The provinces of British Columbia and the Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan & Manitoba) require Proof of English Proficiency if the reciprocity applicant is not from the countries found in their exemption list. The Office Québécois de la Langue Française (OQLF) as dictated by Loi 101, requires that all regulated professionals must demonstrate proficiency in French either by examination or approved education program.

(4) Pay applicable fees

This is the part where you think about taking more shifts to pay for registration.

(5) You may have the option to registre the other license(s) as 'Non-Practising.'

Do it the following renewal year as soon as you get licensed in the new province. Holding active multiple nursing licenses is costly to maintain. License renewal is done annually in Canada.