special assignment class cno

All About CNO Registration for International Nurses

The demand for international nurses in Canada has been rapidly increasing through the years. In order to address the constant shortage of nurses, plenty of positions available for qualified candidates who wish to work internationally have opened from different health care institutions. In fact, a news release from Employment and Social Development Canada specified that the Canadian government had helped over 25,000 nurses to immigrate to the country over the past 10 years, which further emphasizes the demand for international nurses in Canada.

In this article, we will tackle everything needed to know regarding CNO registration for international nurses in order to practice and gain nursing experience in a promising new territory. From personal information to the best nursing education requirement, all the way to requisite skills, internationally educated applicants can review and take the needed steps for the CNO registration process from start to finish.

Conditions to Meet for the CNO Registration Process

According to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) , those interested in becoming nursing professionals (e.g. registered nurse ( RN ) or registered practical nurse ( RPN ) in Ontario) must meet the following conditions

• Graduate of a nursing program outside of Canada and;
• Not currently registered as a nurse in the same category in any part of Canada (i.e., registration for RNs or RPNs must only be in Ontario and not in any other Canadian jurisdiction)

If you are a nursing professional trained outside of Canada, then there's a big possibility that you meet the criteria. However, you must still focus on the criteria set by the accredited institutions, such as nursing societies in each province and territory, for international-trained nurses who want to be registered in Canada.

What Degree Should I Possess to Qualify as a Nurse in Ontario?

Those who have a medical degree may be asking about being a nurse in Canada, and the quick answer to this is no. Medical professionals like medical technologists, midwives, and medical doctors are not allowed to practice as nurses even if they've had far more advanced training. All those who want to be nurses in Canada must (a) go through the proper training first or (b) show sufficient evidence that they have undergone the appropriate training before becoming registered as nurses. For further information, you can visit their official website .

What Registration Requirements Should International Nurses Submit If They Want to Work in Ontario?

Canadian nursing regulatory boards are responsible for setting the requirements for the application process of healthcare professionals, specifically registered nurses (RN) or licensed practical nurses (LPN). For a successful application procedure, make sure that you submit all necessary documents and uphold your integrity as a medical professional by submitting all true documents, meaning none of what you submitted was falsified.

According to most registration guides, since most international nurses are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, they have to obtain a work permit to work as nurses in Canada through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ( IRCC ), which will be discussed further below. International nurses must also provide evidence of language proficiency in either English or French and meet other essential college requirements. For a more in-depth discussion on this, check out our blog post on foreign nurses working in Canada .

Create an account with the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)

The National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) is the national organization responsible for gathering paperwork and evaluating international-trained nurses who are applying to work as RNs and RPNs in Ontario. This is done in order for your credentials to be converted to a North American level, and then they once again assess and compare your credentials with the Canadian norm to see if you're good for the position you are applying for. Upon the completion of your NNAS evaluation, you'll be creating an account on the NNAS application website. You must submit the following requirements:

• Identification proof
• Education form (nursing)
• Regulation form (nursing)
• Employment form
• Results of IELTS or equivalent

2) Prepare the papers required by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) for verification

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is the regulatory body that governs the practice of nursing in Ontario. They are responsible for setting the requirements when nurses are about to enter practice, upholding and enforcing the standards that have been established for practice, and administering a Quality Assurance Program to make sure of this.

Here are the documents that the CNO requires IENs to submit for evaluation if they're fit to practice nursing in Ontario:

• Nursing education - successful completion of a nursing program
• Evidence of practice - proof that you have recent practice as a nurse
• Registration examination - successful completion of a registration examination required by the CNO for your specific type of nursing practice
• Jurisprudence examination - a choice of either a successful completion of the RN/RPN Jurisprudence Examination or the NP Jurisprudence Examination
• English/French proficiency - proof that you are proficient in either English or French
• Work authorization - under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), it's the authorization to practice nursing in the province of Ontario if you're not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Past offences and findings - records and registrations of whether or not the nursing graduate was guilty of past offences
• Health and conduct - official declaration of physical and mental condition/s to prove there are no constraints to practice nursing

3) Wait for NNAS to authenticate and verify the required documents and give you instructions for applying to CNO

NNAS needs time to make sure that the documents sent to them are legitimate and not falsified. Only then will you be given the instructions to proceed with your application. With this being said, below are the duration periods for authentication and verification of required documents:

• Initial application - CNO acknowledges receipt of your documents from NNAS and contacts you for extra documents they might need for further verification, which takes up to 15 days
• Language proficiency - CNO requires applicants to complete a nursing program in English or French within the past two years to meet their language proficiency requirements, which takes up to 15 days after CNO receives your Verification of Course Completion from your nursing school
• Language tests - optional for those who weren't able to complete their nursing program in English or French within the past two years, which takes up to 15 days after CNO gets your language proficiency results
• Expired evidence of practice - this would take up to 15 days, followed by a status update from the CNO for the next steps you should take
• Registration exam - after the CNO receives your exam results (pass or fail) from the designated institution, it takes up to 5 days to update your application; if your exam comes from another nursing jurisdiction, it will take up to 15 days
• Jurisprudence exam - after the CNO receives your exam results, it takes up to 24 hours to update your application
• Police criminal record check - after the CNO receives the results of your record check, it takes up to 5 days to determine whether the applicant has a criminal record or not
• Confirmation of eligibility - you will immediately receive a message in your designated applicant portal about your eligibility for registration and the next steps you need to take
• Registration to Ontario and paying the fees - immediately

Factors that Significantly Impact Registration Speed

There are factors that can either speed up or slow down the registration of applicants. These include, but are not limited to, what are listed below:

• Graduation from a nursing program that doesn't meet entry-to-practice competencies
• Lack of evidence of the applicant practising nursing or graduating from a nursing program within the past 3 years
• Lack of evidence of the language proficiency of the applicant in English or French
• Submission of official documents in languages other than English or French
• Failure to complete the national registration exam
• Failure to provide documents requested by CNO
• Failure to disclose further information to CNO regarding the skills, knowledge, and judgment of the applicant to prove that they can effectively practice nursing

Classes of Registration

Upon assessment, international nurses may be classified by the CNO under different classes of registration. These classes are based on a nursing professional's nursing education and type of nursing practice. Learn more about the classes of registration below:

General Class

The general class includes most nurses, such as registered nurses (RNs) and registered practical nurses (RPNs), who fall under this category. There is a list of requirements for registration, especially including the evidence of practice, which is a way to show that the nursing professional has practiced as a nurse within the last 3 years. In the general class, there is an application process , terms, conditions, limitations, and membership obligations, as well as the rules for membership maintenance .

Extended (Nurse Practitioner)

This class includes registered nurses or RNs who are allowed to practice as nurse practitioners or NPs with more educational attainments, more clinical experience, and, therefore, a wider scope of practice. The extended class also has members who are authorized to diagnose, interpret the diagnoses, perform medical operations, and prescribe medications to patients. They also have an application process , their set of terms, conditions, and limitations , as well as membership obligations like the general class.

Non-Practising Class

The non-practising class is for those who want to stay registered as nurses without needing to practice nursing in Ontario currently. Like the last 2 groups, they have terms, conditions, and limitations , as well as membership obligations . For further questions on the non-practicing class, they have a designated FAQ page on the CNO official website.

Temporary Class

This class is for those who have signed up for the general class but have failed to fulfill the requirements for education and registration. The members in this class can practice but will have to do so under certain terms and conditions set by the CNO. They must also duly accomplish an application for the temporary class apart from their application to the general class, secure a certificate of registration in the temporary class, and abide by the membership obligations for their class.

Special Assignment Class

For the special assignment class, registration is time-limited for nurses who have appointments as RNs or RPNs with a facility within Ontario approved by the designated regulatory bodies. Like the temporary class, they can also only practice within the scope of their appointment under a set of particular terms, conditions, and limitations . They also have membership obligations like the previous 4 groups.

Emergency Class

Finally, we have the emergency class, which is government-supported and CNO council-approved and orders emergency certificates for nursing professionals who are qualified enough to obtain them. For further information on the emergency class, you can visit the CNO site , as well as the terms, conditions, and limitations of this class .

Appealing Registration Decisions

If you happen to disagree with an application-related decision, then you can file an appeal to the Registration Committee . If you still disagree with the decision of the committee, then you can send a handwritten request to the Registration Committee and the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board. Note that your request for an appeal can either take place in a hearing or through a review, and the appeal must be sent to the college within 30 days of receiving notice regarding the decision of the Registration Committee.

Examinations Needed to be Taken for International Nurses Wanting to Practice in Ontario

International nurses wanting to practice in Ontario need to take certain exams to meet the registration requirements and practice nursing in Ontario. Here are some of the examinations that IENs must complete and pass to successfully be accepted and allowed to practice nursing in Ontario:

Registration Examinations

All applicants to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) must successfully complete the registration examination approved by the Council for the category to which they are applying:

• Registered Nurse (RN) registration examination: To ensure the utmost practice experience and the best possible quality of patient care among international nurses, RNs that fall under the General Class must take the  Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) exam. This exam uses the clinical judgment measurement model, which takes into account critical thinking and the outcome of nursing professional decision-making. While the exam dates vary per territory or province, most students take it around 45 days after their graduation.
• Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) registration examination: The Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (REx-PN™) is an exam for individuals who fall under the General Class and seek to become a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) in Ontario. Launched on January 4, 2022, it assesses the knowledge, skill, and judgment required by Practical Nurses at the start of their careers to ensure safe practice.
• Nurse Practitioner NP examination: Nurse practitioners under the Extended Class must take an examination under the specific specialty in which they applied, which includes the NP-Adult exam for adult care, the NP-Paediatrics exam for pediatric care, and the CNPE for primary health care.

Jurisprudence Examination

The jurisprudence examination administered by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) evaluates how well an individual who wants to practice nursing in Ontario knows and understands the legal framework, regulations, by-laws, and practice standards of the profession within Ontario. This assessment covers a wide range of topics, including nursing regulation, scope of practice, professional responsibility, ethical practice, and the nurse-client relationship.

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Find a Nurse

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About Find a Nurse

The register to confirm that a nurse is eligible to practice in Ontario.

Find a Nurse is an easy-to-use online register that provides information to the public about nurses in Ontario. It contains information about a nurse’s business address, a nurse’s ability to practice in Ontario, restrictions on their practice, and other information the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is required to maintain.

General Types of Information

This section contains general information about a nurse’s current status. It indicates whether the nurse is entitled to practice and if there are any restrictions on the nurse’s practice.

The section includes the nurse’s current name (and former name if there is one), category and class of registration, registration number, membership status, and date of initial registration. It also identifies specialty certificates for Nurse Practitioners (NPs).

In Ontario, there are two categories of nurses: Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). A nurse can be both an RN and RPN.

The General section also includes the following information about health profession corporations: name; status; the date when CNO issued it a certificate of authorization; and employment information.

Registration History

All information about the nurse’s membership with CNO, including all changes to the nurse’s category, class and membership status.

Information about registration or licensure in other professions or with other regulators is also required to be posted.

Practice Information

Any information CNO is required to post. This includes current practice restrictions, results of past discipline hearings and any other information required to be posted.

If there is information under this section, one or more of the following headings will appear:

Reasons Why This Nurse is Not Entitled to Practice

This section includes details about why the nurse cannot practice.

A nurse may not be entitled to practice because:

• a CNO committee orders it
• the nurse voluntarily agrees to it with CNO
• the category, class or status of the nurse’s certificate of registration does not permit it

Current Practice Restrictions

This section includes details about restrictions on the nurse’s practice. Restrictions appear on the nurse’s certificate of registration when a CNO committee orders it, or when the nurse tells CNO that they will comply with certain terms.

Restrictions can also result from different registration certificate classes (such as Extended, Temporary or Special Assignment). For example, an NP may not be able to prescribe controlled substances because Health Canada has informed pharmacists or pharmaceutical companies they cannot do this. If there is a Health Canada Notice restriction, there will be a link to the Health Canada Notice.

Current Voluntary Practice Restrictions

This section includes details about voluntary restrictions. This means that the nurse has voluntarily agreed to restrictions on their certificate of registration.

CNO Hearings Pending

The nurse has been referred for a hearing before CNO’s Discipline or Fitness to Practise Committee. The Register includes the date of the referral and the name of the committee. Referrals to the Discipline Committee also include:

• a summary of allegations against the nurse
• any scheduled CNO hearing dates
• a link to the full Notice of Hearing document, containing dates, locations and times of the nurse’s disciplinary hearing, allegations against the nurse and possible penalties that can be imposed
• status of hearings

Results of Past CNO Hearings

CNO’s Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) refers a nurse to the Discipline Committee for a hearing when the nature of the alleged professional misconduct and/or incompetence is serious.

When a panel makes a finding of professional misconduct and/or incompetence, they can revoke or suspend a nurse’s certificate of registration, and/or impose specific terms, conditions and/or limitations on it for a period of time. This section lists the date of the decision, a summary of the results, the date when the decision was published in CNO’s magazine, The Standard (when applicable), and a link to the full decision.

This means the nurse has been required to appear before a panel of CNO’s Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee to hear concerns about the nurse’s practice. The goal is to improve the nurse’s practice.

Remedial Activities

The nurse is required to complete education activities that the ICRC orders. The goal is to improve the nurse's practice. The activities are outlined in a Specified Continuing Education and Remediation Program (SCERP) order.

The nurse has been charged with an offence under:

• the Criminal Code (Canada)
• the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada)
• any offence in any jurisdiction that is considered relevant to the nurse’s suitability to practice

Restrictions Imposed by a Court

The nurse has been charged with an offence under the law, and the court has placed restrictions or bail conditions (or other conditions of release) on the nurse that will remain in place until the court removes them. Restrictions are posted on the Register if they are:

• following a charge for an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada)
• following a charge for an offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada)
• subsequent to a finding of guilt
• pending appeal or any variations to those conditions
• any restriction imposed by a court that relates to or otherwise impacts a member’s practice

Findings of Guilt

CNO is required by law to post certain information on its public register if CNO knows that a member was found guilty of an offence, including under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada), or any other offence in any jurisdiction that is considered relevant to the nurse’s suitability to practice nursing.

Guilty findings are not posted, or the postings are removed, in certain circumstances, including:

• if a record suspension or a pardon has been granted, if known to CNO,
• one year after an absolute discharge has been ordered, except if there is a discipline finding or ongoing CNO proceeding based on the finding of guilt,
• three years after a conditional discharge has been ordered, except if there is a discipline finding or ongoing CNO proceeding based on the finding of guilt, or
• if the finding has been overturned on appeal, if known to CNO.

Restrictions Imposed by a Lawful Authority

This means that a lawful authority has placed restrictions on the nurse. An example of a lawful authority that may impose restrictions is the police.

The restrictions (for example, a peace bond) will remain in place until the lawful authority removes them. These restrictions are posted on the Register if they relate to, or affect, the nurse’s practice.

Restrictions Imposed by Another Regulatory Body

A nursing regulator or an oversight body for another profession has placed restrictions on the nurse.

Findings in Another Regulatory Body

Another regulator or licensing authority has issued one of the following about a nurse:

• a disciplinary finding
• a finding of professional misconduct or incompetence
• or other like finding

Findings of Negligence

Findings of professional negligence, made by a court of law, that the nurse’s care fell below the accepted standard of practice of the profession.

Inspections

This section includes the outcomes of inspections conducted by CNO.

Other Information

The nurse and CNO have agreed that additional information should appear on the Register, or the Registration, Fitness to Practise or Discipline Committees have ordered it posted.

If you have any questions about the Practice Information section, contact CNO’s Monitoring team at:

Phone: 416-928-0900, ext. 7683 Toll free in Canada: 1-800-387-5526, ext. 7683 Fax: 416-928-1914 Email: [email protected]

Employment Information

This section contains the nurse’s employment information from the last three years. This information may be reported by the nurse or the nurse’s employer to CNO. Business address(es) and phone number(s) listed in this section may be related to a place of nursing practice, a nursing agency or non-nursing employer.

DEFINITIONS

Administrative suspension.

The registrant’s membership is not current due to the member’s failure to pay a required fee or to submit information requested by CNO. If CNO suspends an individual’s certificate of registration, they can no longer practice nursing or use the title “nurse” in Ontario.

Authorized to prescribe medications specified in regulation

The Registered Nurse (RN) has completed Council-approved education which authorizes them to:

• prescribe medications that are specified in regulation under the Nursing Act, 1991, and
• communicate a diagnosis made by the RN for the purpose of prescribing.

For more information about the education required, the medications and the practice standards that support RNs to prescribe safely go to: https://www.cno.org/en/learn-about-standards-guidelines/rn-prescribing/

Board of Inquiry

See Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee

The nurse’s certificate of registration has been cancelled by the Executive Director because they did not meet the entry requirements for a class of registration and, therefore, should not have been registered.

In Ontario, nursing is one profession with two categories of care providers: Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs).

Complaints Committee

A nurse who has a certificate from CNO that is not revoked, expired, suspended, voluntarily surrendered, resigned or deceased.

The individual has passed away. The Register includes the date if it is known to CNO.

Discipline Committee

A statutory committee that holds hearings when the ICRC has referred a nurse because the nature of the alleged professional misconduct and/or incompetence is serious. When a panel makes a finding of professional misconduct and/or incompetence, they can revoke or suspend a nurse’s certificate of registration, and/or impose specific terms, conditions and/or limitations on the certificate of registration for a period of time. Most committee decisions are published in CNO’s magazine, The Standard and on CanLII Connects ; a Canadian legal database of case commentaries and summaries. Decisions are also added to the nurse’s profile on CNO’s public register, Find a Nurse , indefinitely.

Emergency Assignment Class

A registration class that becomes an option when the provincial government requests the assistance of CNO’s help by issuing Emergency Assignment Class memberships to qualified nurses.

Entitled to practice with No Restrictions

The nurse is a current member of CNO, can practice nursing in Ontario, and has no terms, conditions and/or limitations on their practice.

Entitled to practice with Voluntary Restrictions

The nurse is a current member of CNO, but has terms, conditions and/or limitations on their practice by voluntary agreement between the nurse and CNO. The restrictions appear in the nurse’s profile.

Entitled to practice with Restrictions

The nurse is a current member of CNO, but has terms, conditions and/or limitations on their practice. These may be in place as a result of:

• Restrictions by committee A CNO statutory committee has ordered that terms, conditions and/or limitations appear on the nurse’s registration certificate.
• Restrictions by voluntary agreement The nurse’s practice is restricted by voluntary agreement between the nurse and CNO.
• Restrictions by class Terms, conditions and/or limitations on a registration certificate that are specific to a class of membership (e.g., Temporary Class).

The restrictions appear in the nurse’s profile.

Entitled to practice. Cannot prescribe controlled substances until specialized education is completed

Entitled to practice with restrictions. cannot prescribe controlled substances until specialized education is completed, executive committee.

A nurse’s certificate of registration is no longer valid and they are not entitled to practice or use the title “nurse” in Ontario. Expiration can result when a nurse fails to meet a condition of continuing membership, such as submitting a fee or providing information requested by CNO, or if they exceed the time limit of a specific class of membership (e.g., Temporary Class).

Extended Class

Registered Nurses in the Extended Class, or RN(EC)s, are also known as Nurse Practitioners (NPs). They have an expanded scope of practice and legislated authority to diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe pharmaceuticals and perform procedures. NPs have specialty certificates (see Specialty Certificate).

Fitness to Practise (FTP) Committee

A CNO statutory committee that determines whether a nurse is suffering from a physical or mental condition or disorder that is affecting, or could affect, their practice. The committee can revoke or suspend a nurse’s certificate of registration, and/or have specific terms, conditions and/or limitations imposed on it.

Former Names

All previous names a nurse has used since the date of their initial registration with CNO.

General Class

The most common class of registration for nurses in Ontario. Both Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses belong in this class. General class members must show experience practising as a nurse within the past three years.

Hospital Privileges

Authority that a hospital grants that allows an NP (who is not employed by a specific hospital) — to diagnose, prescribe for, or treat patients at that hospital.

Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC)

A CNO statutory committee that consists of nurses and members of the public who screen matters about public complaints or reports. Since June 4, 2009, the ICRC has combined the functions of the Board of Inquiry and the Complaints Committee, with the screening function of the Executive Committee.

The ICRC reviews written materials and determines whether a hearing is required or if some other action would address the public interest. Depending on the matter under review, the ICRC considers the results of a health inquiry or misconduct investigation, or may accept a resolution that the nurse and complainant propose.

Jurisdiction

Power or right of a legal or political agency to exercise its authority over a person, subject matter, or territory.

An individual to whom CNO has issued a certificate of registration that is not currently revoked, suspended, cancelled, voluntarily surrendered or resigned.

A member can use the title “nurse,” “Registered Nurse,” “Registered Practical Nurse,” and/or “Nurse Practitioner,” (or a variation, abbreviation or equivalent in another language) as appropriate. They are entitled to practice nursing in Ontario.

Non-Practising Class

A class of registration CNO offers to nurses who are not currently practicing nursing, but who want to remain members of CNO.

Members in this class cannot practice nursing in Ontario.

Not Entitled to practice

The nurse does not have the authority to practice nursing in Ontario. This classification may be in place for one of the following reasons:

• Not Entitled to practice by committee A CNO statutory committee has ordered that the nurse’s certificate of registration be suspended or revoked, or ordered posting on the Register that the nurse is not entitled to practice.
• Not Entitled to practice by voluntary agreement The nurse is not entitled to practice as a result of a voluntary agreement between the nurse and CNO.
• Not Entitled to practice by class or status Refers to restrictions of a membership class (e.g., Non-Practising Class) or status (e.g., resigned, suspended or revoked for failing to renew membership).

“Nurse” is a protected title in Ontario. Only members of CNO can use the titles “nurse,” “Registered Nurse,” “Registered Practical Nurse,” and/or “Nurse Practitioner” (or a variation, abbreviation or equivalent in another language) in the province.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

NPs are Registered Nurses in CNO’s Extended Class. They have an expanded scope of practice and legislated authority to diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe pharmaceuticals and perform procedures.

An occupation, practice, or vocation requiring mastery of a complex set of knowledge and skills through formal education and/or practical experience. Every organized profession (nursing, accounting, law, medicine, etc.) is governed by its respective professional body. Nurses who consider themselves to be part of another profession must report this information to the CNO.

Quality Assurance (QA) Committee

A CNO statutory committee responsible for ensuring that members comply with all aspects of CNO’s QA Program. The QA Program is designed to promote lifelong learning and continuing competence among nurses.

Registered Nurse (RN)

One of two categories of care providers within the nursing profession in Ontario. RNs have met the entry-to-practice requirements to become an RN. This includes successful completion of both an approved nursing program and the national registration exam.

Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)

One of two categories of care providers within the nursing profession in Ontario. RPNs have met the entry-to-practice requirements to become an RPN, including successful completion of both an approved practical nursing program and the national practical nursing registration exam.

An individual to whom CNO has issued a certificate of registration.

Registration

The act of recording a name or information on an official list by a governing body.

Registration Committee

A CNO statutory committee that assesses an applicant's qualifications to practice nursing in Ontario. The Registration Committee determines whether further study is required for the applicant to meet program or examination requirements, or if any terms, conditions, and/or limitations should be imposed on the person’s certificate of registration when they are registered with CNO.

The nurse has relinquished their membership with CNO. An individual who has resigned from CNO can no longer practice nursing or use the title “nurse” in Ontario.

The nurse’s certificate of registration has been revoked as a result of an order from the Discipline Committee or the Fitness to Practise Committee, or by the Executive Director in accordance with the regulations of the Nursing Act, 1991. Once revoked, an individual can no longer practice nursing or use the title “nurse” in Ontario.

Shareholders

A term used by CNO to define people who own shares in a health profession corporation. All shareholders in a health profession corporation must be members of CNO, just as officers and directors of the corporation must also be shareholders.

Special Assignment Class

A short-term, non-renewable registration for individuals, usually from outside of Canada, who have an appointment or assignment as an RN or RPN with an approved facility in Ontario, and who do not plan to stay in the province for more than one year. Individuals in this class can only practice within the scope of their appointment or assignment with the facility named in the certificate of registration and under defined terms, conditions and/or limitations in their registration certificate.

Specialty Certificate

A CNO document issued to an NP that designates the patient population for which the NP is qualified to provide care. Currently, there are three specialty certificates: Primary Health Care, Pediatrics and Adult.

The registrant’s membership is not current due to an order that a CNO statutory committee imposed. A suspended member is not entitled to practice nursing for a specified period of time or until they meet specific conditions. If CNO suspends an individual’s certificate of registration, they can no longer practice nursing or use the title “nurse” in Ontario.

Temporary Class

A class of registration for individuals who have met all requirements for General Class registration as an RN or RPN, except successful completion of the national registration exam.

This registration is granted for up to six months. It restricts practice to a specific employment setting and sets specific terms, conditions and/or limitations on the nurse’s practice. Within the six-month period, the nurse must successfully complete the exam and apply for registration in the General Class. If they do not do this, their Temporary Class registration will expire.

Undertaking

A formal, professional promise that a member gives to CNO that they will comply with certain terms.

Voluntary Surrender

When a nurse agrees with CNO not to practice nursing until they meet specified conditions.

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