What’s Changed as of April 1, 2025: The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) has introduced several important updates to registration requirements for Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) effective April 1, 2025. These changes are designed to streamline processes, enhance patient safety, and make things clearer especially for internationally educated nurses.
Here are the key changes:
- Updated Nursing Education Requirements
- RNs must hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing. RPNs must hold a diploma in nursing.
- The education can be from any jurisdiction (Ontario, Canadian, or international), provided it is recognized or approved, and designed to prepare applicants for the category (RN or RPN). This is a change: previously, some international credentials underwent more stringent “education equivalency” assessments.
- New “Transition to Practice” Requirement (TTP)
- All new applicants (both RN & RPN) must meet a Transition to Practice requirement.
- Purpose: To ensure that incoming nurses are familiar with safety-critical competencies relevant in Ontario’s healthcare environment, such as autonomy, adapting to the care setting, decision-making, accountability, etc.
- How applicants meet it depends on their background:
• If you graduated from a Canadian nursing‐education program that is CNO-approved, you’ll generally meet TTP through your education.
• If you are already registered in another Canadian jurisdiction, your registration may satisfy the requirement.
• If you are internationally educated, you will need to complete a CNO-approved Transition to Practice course. - These courses are typically online, run by approved institutions. They do not include a clinical component.
- Courses may take ~7 to 14 weeks depending on institution.
- More Credential Assessment Providers
- Previously, applicants often had to use specific credential assessment services. As of April 1, 2025, CNO now accepts credentials validated by multiple approved providers, making it easier to have education documents reviewed.
- This is expected to reduce delays and costs in the registration process.
- Fees & Application Process Changes
- With the new regulations, CNO has updated its Fees By-Law so that all applicants (domestic or international) pay the same application fees regardless of jurisdiction.
- Internationally educated nurses who meet the new education criteria may skip or have reduced education assessment steps (saving time and money).
- Who Is Impacted
- New applicants: If you start the registration process on or after April 1, 2025, you must comply with the new requirements.
- Internationally educated nurses (IENs) are most affected, especially in terms of credential recognition and completing Transition to Practice.
- Existing registrants (nurses already holding an active CNO registration) are not required to meet the new education or TTP requirements. Renewals are unaffected.
Why These Changes?
- To improve public safety by ensuring applicants understand the specific practice environment and expectations in Ontario.
- To make registration more fair, transparent, and efficient, removing unnecessary barriers for qualified nurses trained outside Ontario, while maintaining standards.
- To help address nursing shortages by accelerating the process for qualified IENs joining the workforce.
What You Should Do: Steps for Applicants
If you’re planning to apply for RN or RPN registration in Ontario under the new rules, here are suggested steps:
- Check your nursing education credentials:
- Do you already have a bachelor’s in nursing (if RN) or diploma (if RPN)?
- Is your institution/degree recognized? If you’re international, verify that your credential will meet the new education requirement.
- Find out about Transition to Practice:
- If your education doesn’t cover Ontario’s practice environment fully, prepare to enrol in a TTP course. Research approved institutions, timelines (7-14 weeks), price, format (online), etc.
- Select a credential assessment provider:
- Since there are more approved options now, you may choose one that is efficient, cost-effective, and acceptable to CNO.
- Budget for fees:
- Application fees are now uniform. Also factor in costs for the TTP course, credential assessment, NCLEX or REx-PN exam, etc.
- Stay updated:
- Because CNO has FAQs, webinars, and updates on its website. If you are already in process, watch for CNO communications about next steps prior to the implementation date.
Challenges & Considerations
- Even with streamlined education acceptance, some applicants will still need to do remedial courses or alternative pathways if their education is substantially different in content or experience.
- The TTP course being required for many IENs means time commitment. Although online and shorter than full bridging programs, it’s another piece to budget for.
- Delays may still happen if documentation (transcripts, proof of practice) is missing or if credential assessment takes time. Plan ahead.
- Fees & costs: while some steps are easier, the total cost may still be significant when you include assessments, testing, courses, licensing.
Example Case Scenarios
| Candidate Type | What They Need to Do Under New Rules |
|---|---|
| Internationally educated nurse with bachelor’s in nursing, recognized credential | Credential assessment → TTP (if required) → NCLEX / REx-PN exam → registration |
| Nurse educated abroad with diploma, wanting RN | Depending on the content of education: may need additional courses or education pathway to meet RN bachelor’s requirement; TTP; exam; registration |
| Graduate from Ontario nursing program (RN or RPN) | Their regular program likely meets education + TTP automatically; just proceed with exam + registration, fewer extra steps |
Key Takeaways
- As of April 1, 2025, Ontario’s CNO requires RNs to hold a baccalaureate degree and RPNs a diploma. Education from any jurisdiction counts if it meets standards.
- Transition to Practice (TTP) is now mandatory for all new applicants; internationally educated nurses will most likely need to take a TTP course.
- More flexibility and fewer barriers for IENs via more credential assessment providers and uniform fees.
Disclaimer: This information is based on the latest publicly available details from the College of Nurses of Ontario as of August 2025. Regulations can change. For your specific case, consult the official CNO website, an approved educational institution, or speak directly with CNO staff.
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New Nursing Education Requirements for RN and RPN applicants