Regulation of RNs

Becoming an RN

The purpose of nursing regulation is to protect the public. Regulation assures Canadians that they are receiving safe and ethical care from competent, qualified registered nurses.

Each provincial/territorial government is responsible for delivering its health care and regulating its health-care professions. Provinces and territories grant responsibility for nursing regulation to professional colleges and/or nursing associations..

There is no national licence in Canada; each province or territory licenses nurses within each individual jurisdiction

Additional resources:

  • CNA’s Support of Regulatory Excellence in Canada: A Summary of Success
  • Canadian Regulatory Framework for Registered Nurses (position statement)
  • Nursing Now: Understanding Self-Regulation
  • Accountability: Regulatory Framework (position statement)
  • Regulation and Integration of International Nurse Applicants into the Canadian Health System(position statement)