The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) has introduced the Transition to Practice requirement to ensure that all newly registered nurses are well-equipped with the skills and competencies necessary for nursing practice in Canada. This requirement is designed to bridge any knowledge gaps and provide internationally educated nurses (IENs) and new graduates with the necessary foundation to deliver high-quality patient care.
How to Meet the Transition to Practice Requirement
Nurses looking to register in Ontario must fulfill this requirement through one of the following pathways:
Recent Graduation from a Canadian Nursing Program
If you have completed a Canadian baccalaureate degree or diploma in nursing within the past three years, you automatically meet this requirement. This includes graduates from Ontario’s nursing programs.
Registration in Another Canadian Jurisdiction
If you are already registered as a nurse in another province or territory in Canada (outside Ontario) in the same nursing category for which you are applying, you fulfill the requirement.
Recent Nursing Practice in Canada
Applicants who have worked as a nurse in Canada within the past three years, including as a General Class Nurse in Ontario, meet this requirement.
Completion of a CNO-Approved Transition to Practice Course
If you do not meet the above criteria, you can enroll in a CNO-approved course. Once successfully completed, this course will be valid for five years from the date of completion.
The New Education Pathway Program (Starting Summer 2025)
From Summer 2025, a new Education Pathway program will be available through designated nursing schools. Completing this program will make you eligible for registration, and the certification will remain valid for three years after completion.
The new requirement/course is designed to support, not hinder, nursing registration. Evidence suggests it enhances successful integration into practice.
All CNO applicants must fulfill this requirement. Ontario nursing graduates will do so through their nursing education program.
Nurses already registered in another Canadian jurisdiction will meet it via their existing registration.
Internationally educated applicants must complete this course to fulfill the requirement.
The TTP requirement applies to all CNO applicants and offers significant benefits for internationally educated nurses. While many applicants will fulfill it through their existing education or registration, others may need to complete a TTP course. For instance, Ontario graduates will meet the requirement through a CNO-approved nursing program, while internationally educated applicants must complete a CNO-approved TTP course of their choice.
CNO’s Assessment Process: Transition to Practice:
The CNO carefully reviews all applications and supporting documents to verify if an applicant meets this requirement. If further steps are needed, the CNO will provide guidance on how to fulfill the requirement.
Why Transition to Practice Requirement Matters
This initiative ensures that nurses entering Ontario’s healthcare system are well-prepared to handle patient care safely and competently. This step enhances public trust in nursing professionals and aligns with Canada’s high standards for healthcare practice.
List of Approved Transition to Practice (TTP) Courses in Ontario
The following institutions offer CNO-approved TTP courses for nurses in Ontario:
- Centennial College – Nursing in Ontario Transition to Practice ✅ Approved
- Conestoga College – Transition to Nursing Practice ✅ Approved
- Georgian College – Transition to Nursing Practice in Ontario for Internationally Educated Nurses ✅ Approved
- Ontario Internationally Educated Nurses Course Consortium – IEN Transition to Practice Course ✅ Approved
- Ontario Public College Consortium – Transition to Practice for Nurses ✅ Approved
- Toronto Metropolitan University, G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education – Nursing Transition to Practice ✅ Approved
- University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies – Transitioning to Practice in Ontario for Internationally Educated Nurses ✅ Approved
Transition to Practice Courses
Final Thoughts
If you are an internationally educated nurse (IEN) or a nursing graduate aiming to practice in Ontario, understanding these new requirements is crucial. Ensure that you meet the Transition to Practice requirement through one of the five pathways and take proactive steps towards securing your nursing registration in Ontario.
Transition to Practice: New Registration Requirement for Nurses 2025 – brandednurses