If you trained as a nurse outside Canada and want to practise in any Canadian province or territory (except Quebec), you will almost certainly need to complete an assessment through the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS). This centralised service evaluates your international nursing education and experience against Canadian standards, producing a report that provincial and territorial nursing regulators use to determine your eligibility for registration.
Understanding the NNAS process early can save you months of delays and help you gather the right documents from the start. This guide walks you through every requirement, from creating your account to receiving your advisory report and moving forward with your chosen regulator.
Key facts
Aspect | What to know |
|---|---|
Who needs NNAS | Internationally educated nurses applying to practise in any Canadian province or territory except Quebec |
What NNAS does | Assesses and verifies your nursing education, registration, and practice experience against Canadian standards |
Assessment fee | Check the current fee on the NNAS website, as it is subject to change |
Processing time | Typically 4 to 6 months once all documents are received, though timelines vary by country and institution response times |
Next step after NNAS | Submit your advisory report to the provincial or territorial nursing regulator where you intend to work |
What is NNAS and why it matters
The National Nursing Assessment Service is a single point of entry for internationally educated nurses seeking registration in Canada. Before NNAS was established, each provincial regulator conducted its own assessment, meaning nurses had to submit duplicate documents and pay multiple fees if they applied to more than one province. NNAS streamlines this by producing one comprehensive advisory report that you can send to any regulator that accepts it.
NNAS verifies your nursing education credentials, confirms your registration and practice history, and compares your qualifications to the entry-level competencies expected of Canadian-educated nurses. The resulting advisory report does not grant you a nursing licence, it provides regulators with standardised information so they can make consistent, informed decisions about your eligibility.
Eligibility and when to apply
You should apply to NNAS if you completed your initial nursing education outside Canada and you want to register as a registered nurse (RN), registered psychiatric nurse (RPN), or licensed practical nurse (LPN) in a Canadian jurisdiction that requires NNAS assessment. Most provinces and territories mandate NNAS for internationally educated applicants, with Quebec operating its own separate process through the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec.
It is wise to start your NNAS application as early as possible, ideally while you are still in your home country or as soon as you decide to pursue nursing registration in Canada. Document collection and verification can take several months, especially if your nursing school or regulatory body is slow to respond or if your country's postal system is unreliable.
Required documents and verification
NNAS requires original documents sent directly from the issuing institutions to ensure authenticity. You cannot submit photocopies or scanned files for most core documents. The key documents include:
Nursing education transcripts: Your nursing school must send official, sealed transcripts directly to NNAS. If your institution no longer exists or cannot provide transcripts, NNAS will guide you through alternative verification methods.
Nursing diploma or degree certificate: An official copy sent by your school, showing the credential you earned and the date of graduation.
Proof of registration and licensure: Each nursing regulatory body where you have been registered must send verification of your registration status, any disciplinary history, and the dates you held a licence.
Employment verification: If you have nursing work experience, your employers must complete NNAS employment verification forms and return them directly to NNAS. This step confirms the nature, duration, and setting of your practice.
Identity documents: You will upload a copy of your passport or national identity document to confirm your identity.
All documents in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by certified translations. NNAS maintains a list of acceptable translation services, and you are responsible for arranging and paying for translations before submission.
Requesting documents from your nursing school and regulator
Contact your nursing school's registrar or records office as soon as you create your NNAS account. Provide them with the NNAS mailing address and any forms NNAS supplies. Some institutions are familiar with the process and respond quickly, while others may need reminders or clarification. If your school has closed, merged, or moved, NNAS can help you identify the successor institution or an alternative verification pathway.
Similarly, reach out to every nursing regulatory body that has ever registered you, even if your licence has lapsed. Regulators in some countries charge fees for verification letters, so budget accordingly and confirm their preferred payment method.
The NNAS application process step by step
Begin by creating an account on the NNAS website. You will complete an online application form that asks about your nursing education, registration history, and work experience. Review each section carefully, as incomplete or inaccurate information can delay your assessment.
Once you submit your application and pay the assessment fee, NNAS will generate document request forms tailored to your profile. Download these forms and send them to your nursing school, regulators, and employers along with clear instructions. Keep copies of all correspondence and follow up regularly to ensure your documents are sent.
NNAS will update your online account as documents arrive. You can log in at any time to check which items have been received and which are still outstanding. When all required documents are on file, NNAS begins the assessment phase, comparing your education and experience to Canadian standards.
Assessment and advisory report
NNAS assessors review your nursing curriculum, clinical hours, and practice experience to determine how closely they align with Canadian entry-to-practice competencies. The advisory report summarises your education (including course content and clinical training), your registration history, and your work experience. It may also identify gaps, such as missing clinical hours in certain areas or differences in scope of practice.
The report is advisory, meaning it informs the provincial regulator's decision but does not itself approve or deny your application. Each regulator sets its own registration requirements and may ask you to complete additional education, examinations, or bridging programmes based on the NNAS findings.
Timelines and what affects them
NNAS aims to complete assessments within four to six months of receiving all required documents, but actual timelines vary widely. Factors that can extend processing include delays in document delivery from your home country, incomplete translations, discrepancies in your records that require clarification, and high application volumes during peak periods.
You can help keep your application on track by submitting complete, accurate information from the outset, following up promptly with institutions that have not yet sent documents, and responding quickly to any requests for additional information from NNAS.
After your NNAS report: next steps with provincial regulators
Once your advisory report is ready, you can request that NNAS send it to the nursing regulator in the province or territory where you plan to work. Each regulator has its own additional requirements, which may include language proficiency tests (typically IELTS or CELBAN), a jurisprudence exam covering Canadian nursing law and ethics, and a competency assessment such as the NCLEX-RN exam for registered nurses.
Some regulators also require bridging education if your NNAS report identifies gaps in your training. Bridging programmes are offered by colleges and universities across Canada and are designed to bring your knowledge and skills up to Canadian standards. Check the specific requirements on your regulator's website and plan your next steps accordingly.
If you are considering visa sponsorship opportunities in Canada, note that many healthcare employers are willing to support internationally educated nurses through the immigration process, especially in provinces facing nursing shortages. Securing a job offer can also strengthen your application for permanent residence through programmes such as Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program stream.
Common challenges and how to address them
Many applicants encounter delays when their nursing school or regulator is unfamiliar with NNAS or slow to respond. If you face this issue, send polite follow-up emails every two to three weeks, and consider asking NNAS for guidance on alternative verification methods if an institution is unresponsive.
Translation costs can add up, especially if you completed multiple nursing programmes or worked in several countries. Obtain quotes from NNAS-approved translators early and prioritise the most critical documents first.
If your NNAS report identifies significant gaps, do not be discouraged. Many internationally educated nurses successfully complete bridging programmes and go on to fulfilling careers in Canada. Research the bridging options available in your target province and reach out to programme coordinators for advice on eligibility and application timelines.
Costs and budgeting
Beyond the NNAS assessment fee, budget for document request fees charged by your nursing school and regulators, translation costs, courier or postal fees for international document delivery, and any additional assessments or exams required by your provincial regulator. Language tests, jurisprudence exams, and the NCLEX all carry separate fees, so review the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada guidance and your regulator's fee schedule to plan your finances.
Some provinces offer financial assistance or bursaries for internationally educated nurses, particularly those in rural or underserved areas. Investigate these options through your regulator or provincial health authority.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply to NNAS if I am still living outside Canada?
Yes, you can and should apply to NNAS before you arrive in Canada. Starting the process early allows you to gather documents while you still have easier access to your nursing school and regulator, and it can shorten the time between your arrival and your eligibility to work as a nurse.
Do I need to complete NNAS if I only want to work in Quebec?
No, Quebec has its own assessment process managed by the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ). If you plan to work exclusively in Quebec, you should apply directly to the OIIQ rather than through NNAS.
How long is my NNAS report valid?
NNAS advisory reports do not expire, but provincial regulators may have their own time limits on how recent your assessment must be. If several years have passed since your report was issued, check with your target regulator to confirm whether you need to update any information or complete a new assessment.
What happens if my nursing school has closed?
NNAS has processes in place for verifying education from closed institutions. Contact NNAS directly to explain your situation, and they will guide you through alternative verification methods, which may include contacting a successor institution, a national education archive, or your country's ministry of education.
Can I send my NNAS report to more than one province?
Yes, one of the main benefits of NNAS is that you can request your advisory report be sent to multiple provincial or territorial regulators. There may be a small fee for each additional report request, so check the current NNAS fee schedule on their website.
Completing the NNAS assessment is a significant milestone on your path to nursing practice in Canada. By understanding the requirements, gathering your documents early, and staying organised throughout the process, you can navigate this step with confidence and move closer to your goal of contributing to Canada's healthcare system.
